Property of Various Owners HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL THE LIFE OF FRANKLIN PIERCE. BOSTON: TICKNOR, REED AND FIELDS, 1852 8vo (7 1/8 x 4 3/8 in.; 180 x 112 mm). Publisher's advertisements bound in at front, engraved frontispiece portrait of Pierce; a few stray spots and instances of staining. Original dark brown cloth, covers decoratively stamped in blind, spine gilt lettered; slight wear to head and foot of spine, extremities rubbed, lacking front free endpaper. First edition, inscribed by Franklin Pierce to the Ohio newspaper publisher Washington McLean: “For Washington McLean from Frank. Pierce Concord N.H. Feby. 5. 1853.” Hawthorne and Pierce met at Bowdoin College, and developed a close friendship. In 1846, Pierce helped Hawthorne secure the position of Surveyor of the Custom House in Salem, and six years later, Hawthorne wrote this Life of Franklin Pierce, a biography that helped win Pierce the 1852 presidential election. Following the election, Pierce made Hawthorne American Consul to the Port of Liverpool, a posting that provided Hawthorne with a substantial income, and inspired the author's later works. Such association copies linking great American political and literary figures are rare. No other examples of this title signed by Pierce have appeared at auction in the last fifty years. LITERATURE:BAL 7612; Clark A21.1Condition Report8vo (7 1/8 x 4 3/8 in.; 180 x 112 mm). Publisher's advertisements bound in at front, engraved frontispiece portrait of Pierce; a few stray spots and instances of staining. Original dark brown cloth, covers decoratively stamped in blind, spine gilt lettered; slight wear to head and foot of spine, extremities rubbed, lacking front free endpaper. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Property of Various Owners HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL THE LIFE OF FRANKLIN PIERCE. BOSTON: TICKNOR, REED AND FIELDS, 1852 8vo (7 1/8 x 4 3/8 in.; 180 x 112 mm). Publisher's advertisements bound in at front, engraved frontispiece portrait of Pierce; a few stray spots and instances of staining. Original dark brown cloth, covers decoratively stamped in blind, spine gilt lettered; slight wear to head and foot of spine, extremities rubbed, lacking front free endpaper. First edition, inscribed by Franklin Pierce to the Ohio newspaper publisher Washington McLean: “For Washington McLean from Frank. Pierce Concord N.H. Feby. 5. 1853.” Hawthorne and Pierce met at Bowdoin College, and developed a close friendship. In 1846, Pierce helped Hawthorne secure the position of Surveyor of the Custom House in Salem, and six years later, Hawthorne wrote this Life of Franklin Pierce, a biography that helped win Pierce the 1852 presidential election. Following the election, Pierce made Hawthorne American Consul to the Port of Liverpool, a posting that provided Hawthorne with a substantial income, and inspired the author's later works. Such association copies linking great American political and literary figures are rare. No other examples of this title signed by Pierce have appeared at auction in the last fifty years. LITERATURE:BAL 7612; Clark A21.1Condition Report8vo (7 1/8 x 4 3/8 in.; 180 x 112 mm). Publisher's advertisements bound in at front, engraved frontispiece portrait of Pierce; a few stray spots and instances of staining. Original dark brown cloth, covers decoratively stamped in blind, spine gilt lettered; slight wear to head and foot of spine, extremities rubbed, lacking front free endpaper. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
