The Gem of the Season. With Ten Fine Illustrations.

New York: Leavitt & Allen, Nd, ca. 1859. Hardcover. A fine binding, beautifully illustrated with ten full page engraved mezzotint plates, mostly by Sartain. John Sartain (1808-1897) was among the most successful and prolific engravers of his day; he introduced mezzotint engraving to the United States. The work also includes a chapter, "Benedict Arnold and Major Andre", pp 274-280, by J. T. B.

Small 4to, frontispiece, engraved half title, 288pp, all edges gilt. Maroon full gilt binding. Fine binding, with ornate gilt stamped and embossed covers, both covers and spine with ornate decorative floral designs. Chipped at spine ends; short diagonal corner tear repaired with archival tape to one front free end paper; some offsetting, some fox spotting mostly at margins of some plates. Pen inscription as a Christmas present, dated 1859.

OCLC: 950937507 locates 1 copy at the American Antiquarian Society, and dates it from the location of the publisher on Broadway: Leavitt & Allen were located at 379 Broadway from 1856 until 1860. Very good overall. Item #24145

Price: $245.00