Details
COOPER, James Fenimore. Memorial of James Fenimore Cooper. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1852.
12o (212 x 150 mm). Extra-illustrated with four ALS by Cooper, Washington Irving, Daniel Webster, William Cullen Bryant, Susan Fenimore Cooper, and Fitz-Greene Halleck, 108 inlaid engraved portraits, vignette title-pages, plates from Cooper's novels (including one folding) and three photographs (one or two spots.) Late 19th-century red morocco with beveled edges, gilt borders of triple fillets surrounding an inner border of double fillets with stylized leaf corners, spine gilt-ruled in six compartments with five raised bands, board-edges hatched, turn-ins with scroll and leaf roll, double fillets, hatched roll, blue morocco doublures with gilt border of double fillets, semi-circle and dots roll, single fillet, enclosing an elaborate stylized flower and leaf roll, blue watered silk free endpapers; modern red cloth chemise. Provanence: Charles H. Hart (recorded); Paul Fenimore Cooper (recorded); James Fenimore Cooper Jr. (gift inscription from Sarah M. Sage, bookplate).
FIRST EDITION. A UNIQUE COPY FROM THE LIBRARY OF COOPER'S GREAT-GRANDSON JAMES FENIMORE COOPER JR., given to him by his maternal Grandmother on the occasion of his first birthday 10 March 1893 (letter bound in before the title-page). Sabin 16573.
[Including:] COOPER. Autograph letter signed ("J. Fenimore Cooper"), to prospective publisher of Afloat and Ashore, [6-9? April 1844]. 1 p., 8o, inlaid on stock paper and bound after the title-page. "I offer you Afloat...on the following terms only - Messrs Lea & Blanchard having declined them...7500 copies off my plates, at $1500-$300 down. Retail price 75 cents -- two volume usual size. W, for same sum, 5000 copies, bound, at full retail...I am willing to divide the profits with a publisher." Although Bentley published Afloat and Ashore in London in June 1844, it seems that Cooper was unsuccessful in finding an American publisher on his terms, as it appeared under his own imprint in July 1844. The letter is published by Beard who records this book's early provenance. (IV p. 447-448).
[Including: ] IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). Autograph letter signed ("Washington Irving"), to Robert Balmanns, Sunnyside, 12 June, 1854. 1 p., 8o, inlaid on stock paper and bound after the contents page . Arranging to meet at Putnams "I thank you for the copies of the two songs by Mr. Balmanns, which delight me exceedingly."
[Including: ] WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Daniel Webster"), to unidentified bank employee, Boston, 10 September 1858. 1 p., 8o, inlaid on stock paper and bound opposite p. 23. Concerning some unpaid debts of a Mr. Kinnings. Webster was United States Secretary of State, 1850-1852 and presided over and spoke at the Memorial meeting at the Metropolitan Hall, 24 February 1852 (pp. 23-26).
[Including: ] BRYANT, William Cullen (1794-1878). Autograph letter signed ("W.C. Bryant"), to Charles H. Hart, Office of the Evening Post, 11 January 1865. 1 p., 8o, inlaid on stock paper and bound opposite p. 70 . Concerning a recent "photographic likeness of me -- cabinet size". Cooper's friend, editor of the New York Evening Post, member of the Memorial Arrangements Committee, and author of Discourse on the Life and Genius of Cooper, which was the principal address at the Metropolitan Hall meeting (pp. 39-74).
[Including: ] COOPER, Susan Augusta Fenimore (1813-1894). Autograph letter signed ("Susan F. Cooper"), to unidentified recipient, Cooperstown, 29 February 1872. 1 p., 8o, inlaid on stock paper and bound opposite p. 97. With thanks for the article from the Knickerbocker. "It was extremely kind of you to tear it from its original place in the magazine for the benefit of a country correspondent."
[Includng: ] HALLECK, Fitz-Greene (1790-1867). Autograph note signed ("Fitz-Greene Halleck") to Charles H. Hart, Connecticut, 24 June 1862. 1 p., 16o inlaid on stock paper and bound opposite p. 106 . Redirecting his enquiries to the President of the Bank of Commerce, New York. Cooper's friend, poet and Co-Secretary of City Hall Memorial planning meeting.
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FIRST EDITION. A UNIQUE COPY FROM THE LIBRARY OF COOPER'S GREAT-GRANDSON JAMES FENIMORE COOPER JR., given to him by his maternal Grandmother on the occasion of his first birthday 10 March 1893 (letter bound in before the title-page). Sabin 16573.
[Including:] COOPER. Autograph letter signed ("J. Fenimore Cooper"), to prospective publisher of Afloat and Ashore, [6-9? April 1844]. 1 p., 8
[Including: ] IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). Autograph letter signed ("Washington Irving"), to Robert Balmanns, Sunnyside, 12 June, 1854. 1 p., 8
[Including: ] WEBSTER, Daniel (1782-1852). Autograph letter signed ("Daniel Webster"), to unidentified bank employee, Boston, 10 September 1858. 1 p., 8
[Including: ] BRYANT, William Cullen (1794-1878). Autograph letter signed ("W.C. Bryant"), to Charles H. Hart, Office of the Evening Post, 11 January 1865. 1 p., 8
[Including: ] COOPER, Susan Augusta Fenimore (1813-1894). Autograph letter signed ("Susan F. Cooper"), to unidentified recipient, Cooperstown, 29 February 1872. 1 p., 8
[Includng: ] HALLECK, Fitz-Greene (1790-1867). Autograph note signed ("Fitz-Greene Halleck") to Charles H. Hart, Connecticut, 24 June 1862. 1 p., 16