Precaution.

by COOPER, James Fenimore.

$23,704 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

New York: A. T. Goodrich & Co.,, 1820. Rare in original boards First edition of the author's first novel, written in the style of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. The setting is 19th-century Northamptonshire, therefore atypical of the author's subsequent works. Copies in the original boards are rare: we can trace only four copies in original boards sold at auction in the last 45 years (including this present copy). These copies include the half-titles and also the errata slip. Spiller & Blackburn note that "the errata slip may be found at the end of either the first or the second volume; there was no uniformity of practice". In this copy the slip appears after the title page in vol. 1. 2 vols, octavo. Original bluish green boards, lettering to spines by hand. Housed in a custom black cloth box. Contemporary and later ownership signatures, including one dated 1827. Both vols rebacked preserving original spine, extremities somewhat worn, occasional heavy foxing, small repairs to fore-edge and corner of title page in vol. 2, occasional light dampstaining; a very good copy and extremely rare. Spiller & Blackburn 1; BAL 3825.

• Year: 1820
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: hardcover

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