Fine Books & Manuscripts

[BINDING]. LONGACRE, James B. –– HERRING, James. The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans. Philadelphia, [et al]: Henry Perkins, 1834–36, 1839. 4 volumes, imperial 8vo (273 x 178 mm). Engraved additional titles, numerous engraved plates of illustrious American statesman, military heroes, lawyers, first ladies, etc. including frontispieces with tissue guards (mild foxing and offsetting throughout). Contemporary full olive-green straight grain morocco embossed in blind with a central panel of elaborate scrollwork and a central medallion of the Roman goddess Aurora on chariot, framed in alternating gilt tools of palmettes and tulips, spine embossed in blind and lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, dentelle turn ins, pale yellow endpapers (light rubbing at ends, slight separation to front joint at foot in Vol. I; upper hinge of this volume starting). Provenance: John P. Clement (cipher bookplate). FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER COPY of this scarce complete set that was produced at great expense and effort at a time when the financial panic of 1837 caused delay of the publication of the final volume of this work. Howes H443; McLean, Victorian Publishers' Book–Bindings p. 207; Wolf, From Gothic Windows to Peacocks, American Embossed Leather Bindings 1825-1855.