(Jones, John Paul)

André, Benoit.  Mémoires de Paul Jones, où il expose ses principaux services, et rappelle ce qui lui est arrivé de plus remarquable pendant le cours de la révolution américaine, particulièrement en Europe, écrits par lui-même en anglais, et traduits sous ses yeux par le citoyen André.  Paris: chez Louis, An VI, 1798 



12mo (5  3/4  x 3  1/8  in.; 146 x 78 mm).  Engraved portrait and vignette of naval battle as frontispiece; minor staining to margins of frontispiece and title. Quarter calf gilt, mottled boards; Copley bookplate on front pastedown.  Quarter blue morocco gilt slipcase, chemise.

Howes J 228; Sabin 36559

First edition of the first biography of the Father of the American Navy.  Benoit André was, for a time, secretary to Jones and apparently this book is a narrative made up from the manuscript Journal for the King, which was translated by André and presented by Jones to Louis XVI in 1786.  An appendix prints thirty letters to and from Jones, the writers including Washington, Franklin, and "Les Etats-Unis, Assemblés en Congrès."

A fine copy of a very scarce book.  Only two copies have appeared at auction in the last thirty-five years, one in 1975 and another in 1980.