Incidents In American History : Barber 1869 [ Illustrated , Alstead New Hampshire ]
$100
In stock
Description
Expanded and illustrated edition of John W Barber’s Incidents In American History formerly belonging to the local library of Alstead New Hampshire
Barber, J[ohn] W[arner]. Thrilling Incidents in American History Being A Selection Of The Most Important And Interesting Events Compiled From The Most Approved Authorities. Allen Brothers : New York. 1869. New and enlarged edition.
One of several illustrated youth histories written by author and engraver John Warner Barber, Thrilling Incidents in American History is a well-illustrated primer on the country’s history with this copy previously belonging to a library in Alstead , New Hampshire. Includes coverage of the discovery of America, European adoption of Tobacco, the Salem Witch Trials, as well as highlights from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican American War. Additionally interesting are the sections covering the attempted revolt of Nat Turner in 1831 as well as the defeat of Tecumseh.
A prolific writer and recycler of his own material, Barber published various works on American History through different publishers, including updates and variants on the present text from at least 1851 to 1876. This copy reflects both that fact and the complex New York publishing scene in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War (a conflict never covered in the volume which ends in the 1840s). Although the stated publisher on the title page is Allen Brothers, the frontispiece still shows the name of the previous publisher of the 1868 edition, James Merrill, and the spine reads, “Leavitt – Allen Bros” reflecting the newly lapsed partnership between the Allen Brothers and George Leavitt. The text also includes six pages of ads for Allen Brothers other publications.
The pencil annotation on this copy’s front pastedown marks this as the 432nd book added to the “USS Library” at Alstead, New Hampshire. Most likely it belonged to the earlier volunteer “penny” town library of Alstead founded in the 1850s ahead of the founding of the modern Shedd-Porter Library in 1910.
Three copies of this edition found in OCLC as of January 2022.
8vo, 354pp + 6 ads, purple blindstamped cloth boards with title, publisher and decorations gilt to spine. Corners and spine ends bumped. Soiling and wear to both boards. Pin sized hole to front joint. Bookblock toned. Ownership inscription front pastedown “U.S.S. Library/ No. 432 / Alstead, N.H.”. Pages clean apart from occasional margin foxing. Includes 9 engraving plates. Good condition.
If you liked this book you might also enjoy this two-volume set of comedic Roman and English History illustrated by a famous Punch magazine cartoonist.
