5 volumes + atlas. [2], xxii, 488, 45; viii, 560, 72; viii, 580, 28; viii, 626, [2], 16; vii, [1], 779, 36 pp. Stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait. Atlas with 10 copper-engraved maps, 8 double-page, 2 folding, plus 22 printed pages of subscriber's name. Text volumes are (8vo) 21x12.5 cm (8¼x5"), original(?) tree calf, spines tooled & lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers; atlas is (4to) 28.4x21.5 cm (11x8½"), old leather-backed boards. First Edition.
First edition of Marshall's seminal biography of George Washington, with the rare and significant atlas volume. Sabin notes that later histories did not contain the Colonial History. He also quotes Jared Sparks as stating that "after the able, accurate and comprehensive work of Chief Justice Marshall, it would be presumptuous to attempt a historical biography of Washington." The maps in the atlas relate to military operations in the Revolutionary War, and include the Boston area, New York Island, northern New Jersey, New Hampshire, Yorktown, etc. The text volumes and the atlas of the present set were purchased separately.
Provenance: Text: Randall House 8/80; Atlas: Maggs 12/79
References: Howes M317; Sabin 44788.
Condition:
Text volumes with some extremity rubbing, chips to spine heads, that of Vol. III replaced with new leather, that volume with some staining to top margins within; atlas spine well rubbed, extremity wear, some very light foxing to maps; overall the set is in very good or better condition.