Harrison, James A.

George Washington: Patriot, Soldier, Statesman, First President of the United States. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1906



In 8s (7 1/2 x  5 3/8 in.; 191 x 136 mm). Photographic frontispiece and 31 plates.

Phoebe A. D. Boyle (bookplate, sale, Anderson Galleries, November 20, 1923, lot 361)

Rebacked, preserving the original spine; extremities rubbed; free endpapers offset from turn-ins; title-page and frontispiece torn and repaired; a few other preliminary leaves with minor marginal restoration; top fore-edge corners of many of the first 60 pages jammed or bent.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A very early Cosway binding by Rivière & Son, with fine portrait miniatures on ivory of George and Martha Washington, almost certainly painted by Miss C. B. Currie. Crushed navy blue morocco, the covers simply panelled with gilt rules and dotted lines, the front cover inset with a central portrait miniature of George Washington and the rear cover inset with a central portrait miniature of Martha Washington, both after Gilbert Stuart, each portrait within an elaborately gilt-tooled floral frame on a pointillé ground; the spine similarly gilt in six compartments; board edges gilt with double fillet; turn-ins gilt panelled, signed by the binder at foot of front turn-in, marbled enpapers.

This may have been the very first Cosway binding with miniatures emblematic of America.