A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜

$35.00
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜
A Book of the United States by Grenville Mellen (Full Leather Binding, RARE), Circa 1839. 🦅🇺🇸📜

1. Introduction 📜🔍🤯

This is an exceedingly rare and truly historic first edition of A Book of the United States, a compendium of American history and culture from the early 19th century. Published with a full leather binding, this volume is a tangible piece of the Jacksonian era. Its well-loved condition, with unique markings and inscriptions, gives it a documented history that adds to its appeal. This item is a premier addition to any serious collection of American historical texts.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

A Book of the United States is a fascinating and comprehensive survey of the American Republic in the mid-19th century. The book provides a sweeping look at the nation's geography, government, and industry, with dedicated sections on agriculture, commerce, and natural history. It includes a condensed history of the land, as well as descriptions of major cities and biographies of leading American men. The book is also notable for its hand-drawn engravings of scenery, animals, and cities, which offer a unique visual glimpse into the country at the time.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker 🇫🇷✍️🏛️

Grenville Mellen (1799-1841) was an American poet, editor, and writer. A well-known literary figure of his time, he was a frequent contributor to prominent magazines and periodicals. The book was a collaborative effort, with Mellen serving as the editor and various authors contributing to the different sections. This volume stands as an example of a popular reference work of the era, produced for an educated audience with a deep interest in their growing nation.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published around 1839, this book is a product of an era of intense nationalism and westward expansion. The United States was a young republic, and books like this one served to inform its citizens and shape a shared national identity. It reflects the sense of optimism and the spirit of Manifest Destiny that characterized the period. This volume is not just a book of history; it is a time capsule of how 19th-century Americans viewed their country and its future.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of early Americana, a scholar of 19th-century American history, or a bibliophile specializing in early historical texts. Its unique condition and handwritten inscriptions make it a truly unique item for a collection focused on the lived history of books. The distressed leather and well-worn pages tell a story that no pristine copy could.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This is an uncommonly rare and highly sought-after first edition of a book from the 1830s. Its value is derived from its age and the scarcity of books from this era. The photos show its distressed condition, including scuffed and ripped leather, which significantly impacts its monetary value. However, for a collector who values a book’s character and documented history, its flaws are not a detriment but a testament to its age.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in "fair" condition, showing extensive signs of wear and age. The full leather binding is heavily distressed, with large rips, scuffs, and a faded spine. The binding remains largely intact, but the front and back covers are scuffed. The pages are heavily toned and show significant foxing and staining. There are also signs of heavy use, which is consistent with its age.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a wealth of personal history. The front endpaper contains multiple handwritten inscriptions, including what appears to be a formal dedication. The clearest names are "Daniel Gilman" and "O. Palmer." The page also shows signs of other signatures and penmanship practice, common in books of this period. This handwritten information provides a unique and personal glimpse into the lives of its early owners.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • The book’s contents, particularly the sections on natural history and geography, reflect a pre-Civil War view of the nation.

  • The book features hand-engraved illustrations of animals, scenery, and famous American landmarks.

  • The book's heavy, distressed leather binding is a defining characteristic of publishing in the 1830s.

  • The presence of multiple names on the endpapers, including what appear to be students or family members, is a testament to the book's long and well-used life.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Title: A Book of the United States

  • Author: Grenville Mellen (Editor)

  • Year: Circa 1839

  • Publisher: Various (A. C. Goodman & Co., H. F. Sumner & Co.)

  • Place of Origin: Hartford, Connecticut, USA

  • Format: Hardcover, Full Leather Binding

  • Edition: Early American Edition

  • Rarity: Rare

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