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The Rise of American Civilization by Charles A. & Mary R. Beard (RARE Early Printing), 1927 🇺🇸

Name: The Rise of American Civilization by Charles A. & Mary R. Beard (RARE Early Printing), 1927 🇺🇸
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 300.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$300.00

Oferta Agotado

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a 1927 first American printing of The Rise of American Civilization by Charles A. and Mary R. Beard.

This two-volume set is a foundational text in 20th-century historiography, known for its intellectual and academic approach to American history. It is a sought-after collectible due to its importance within the "New History" movement. This early printing represents a direct link to the book's initial reception and influence on modern scholarship.

2. About the Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Rise of American Civilization provides a revisionist account of American history, from the nation's origins through the Gilded Age. The narrative's central thesis focuses on the role of economic and social forces in shaping historical events.

The Beards present a detailed analysis of the struggles between different classes and interests, arguing that economic factors were a primary driver of historical change. They famously re-interpreted the Civil War as a "Second American Revolution," framing it as a conflict between Northern capitalists and Southern agrarian elites. The work is recognized for its scholarly depth, accessible narrative, and intellectual rigor.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Charles A. Beard (1874-1948) was a prominent American historian and political scientist with progressive and often controversial views.

He was a central figure in the "New History" movement, which advocated for a more critical and realistic perspective on the American past. His wife and collaborator, Mary R. Beard (1876-1958), was a distinguished historian and women's suffrage activist. Their intellectual partnership was a full collaboration, with Mary’s contributions being fundamental to the book's emphasis on the roles of women and other diverse groups in American history. Their work challenged traditional narratives and cemented their status as prominent public intellectuals.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜 Published in 1927, this book emerged during the Roaring Twenties, a period defined by immense economic prosperity and social shifts. The book's intellectual defiance of traditional, patriotic histories was a radical statement for its time, reflecting a growing Progressive-era desire to move beyond myths of American exceptionalism and to understand the intricate realities of the nation's past. The Beards’ work served as a time capsule of an era where historians began to prioritize social and economic factors over a purely political narrative. Its popularity and influence were so significant that it influenced generations of readers and scholars.

At the time of its publication, America was undergoing a transformative period. The rise of industrialism, mass culture, and urbanization was reshaping society, while intellectual thought was moving toward a more critical, data-driven analysis of the past. The Beards’ book was perfectly timed to capture this cultural shift, providing a new way for Americans to understand their own history that resonated deeply with the national mood.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This two-volume set appeals to a collector who curates a library of key works in American intellectual history or political science.

It is an item for a scholar of Progressive-era thought or a historian who values a tangible representation of a major paradigm shift in academic study. The book is suited for a library that focuses on the evolution of American historiography and the influence of economic theory on historical interpretation.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This early printing is a key acquisition, with its value driven by its academic and historical standing. The book is 98 years old, having survived nearly a century of historical events, including the Great Depression and World War II.

While the book was a bestseller, early printings in good condition are becoming uncommon, and two-volume sets were often separated over time.

This copy is a complete set, and its documented history with a prior owner's ex-libris stamp adds a layer of verifiable history.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

Original decorative cloth bindings.
Some rubbing or bumping to the spine and corners is expected due to age.
Toning or foxing to the pages, consistent with the paper quality and age of the item.
The text blocks are intact and the binding is stable.
The prior owner’s ex-libris stamp is present on the inside cover, indicating the book's past ownership.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

The Beards' interpretation of the Civil War as an economic conflict was a revolutionary and controversial ideathat continues to influence historical analysis.
The collaboration between Charles and Mary Beard was notable for its time, with Mary’s contributions often being overlooked by their contemporaries despite being integral to the work.
The Rise of American Civilization was so successful it led to later editions and a multi-volume series, establishing the Beards as influential public intellectuals.
The book appeals to a diverse range of collectors, including historians, political scientists, and collectors of Americana.