Barnum, H. L.

Spy Unmasked or, Memoirs of Enoch Crosby, Alias Harvey Birch, the Hero of Mr. Cooper's Tale of Neutral Ground: Being an Authentic Account of the Secret Services Which He Rendered His Country during the Revolutionary War... [with] a copy reprinted by the Fishkill Weekly Times, 1886.

New York: J. & J. Harper, 1828; 1886. First edition. Hardcover. A first edition,1828, with the printers' sheets to the scarce 1886 reprint by the Fishkill Weekly Times. With a list of publications by O.A. Roorbach, Charleston, South Carolina, author of "Bibliotheca Americana : Catalogue of American Publications ... 1820-1861."

The story of America's first double agent. Enoch Crosby (1750 - 1835), was an American soldier in the Continental Army and spy (recruited by John Jay) who posed as a British spy working for General Howe, working mostly in Westchester County New York, which at the time was "neutral ground" between the colonial forces further north and the British controlled New York City. On four separate occasions Crosby successfully infiltrated the British side, was captured, and escaped. It is thought that the character Harvey Birch in James Fenimore Cooper's 'The Spy', was based upon Crosby's life. Enoch Crosby's early years were spent in Putnam County, in the town of Southeast; the Enoch Crosby house (sometimes called Maple Hill Farm or Spy Hill Farm) still stands near the reservoir.

8vo, frontis portrait, xvi, [17]-206, ads [2], 4 pl., one map, uncut. Original quarter cloth and brown paper covered boards, paper label at spine. Previous owner name "Benjamin Matheson" contemporary with the issuance of the book at front board and at title page.

With an advertisement for recent publications, "O. A. Roorbach, No. 296 King Street, Sign of the Bible, of Charleston, S.C." laid down verso front cover. Roorbach was the author of "Bibliotheca Americana : Catalogue of American Publications ... 1820-1861." Some light scattered foxing, bumped, and extremes rubbed, original spine laid down. Howes B161; OCLC: 2428305.

[with] the publishers' sheets from the 1886 edition of the book issued by the Fishkill Weekly Times. OCLC: 58670444. 8vo, 152 p., [3] leaves of plates, with additional appendix and illustrations, 1886.

An unusual confluence of editions and publishers. Good + condition. Item #19727

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