Beschreibung:

Title: American Edition of the British Encyclopedia or Dictionary of Arts And Sciences Comprising an Accurate and Popular View of the Present Improved State Of Human Knowledge Author: Nicholson. William Place: Philadelphia Publisher: Mitchell and Ames Date: 1816-17 Description: 6 volumes bound in 12. With engraved title-page and 164 plates (complete), one folding, one torn at a corner, and one torn with some loss of image. Subscribers’ list at the end of the last volume. (8vo), original half green roan, red labels lettered in gilt, pasteboard covers with green design over (once) cream boards. First American edition, rare in and of itself, this set especially so as it has the binder’s label pasted in the front of each volume: “John Sherwood Book Binder New-Salem N.C.” American signed bindings of this date are very uncommon and sets such as this almost unheard of. Neither Maser nor Papantonio record a single known binder from North Carolina; Papantonio had one six-volume set and one three-volume set, but a twelve-volume set is unknown, let alone signed in every volume. No set of the first American edition of Nicholson is recorded as currently for sale, and no set is recorded at auction. As paste papers were a specialty of Moravian women, many of whom were resident in North Carolina, it’s likely that these paste papers originated there. Duke University records one book with the Sherwood label, which is damaged. (104380). Expected shipping cost will be a minimum of $30 for domestic, and $100 for international. Lot Amendments Condition: Covers a bit soiled; a few loose leaves - mostly preliminary, dampstains and foxing throughout; very good. Item number: 257561