The History of the Navy of the United States of America. by Cooper, James Fenimore - (1846)

Philadelphia: Thomas Cowperthwait & Co., (1846). First abridged edition of Cooper's history, characterized by clear writing style and crackling battle scenes, with wood-engraved frontispiece, plates, and extra engraved title page. "This work has been reduced in size, and consequently in cost, by omitting that portion of the original matter which it is thought will have the least interest to the general reader." In his Preface, Cooper also addresses the notorious Perry Elliott controversy (Perry's people took offense at Cooper for not supporting their contention that Perry's second-in-command, Commodore Jessie Elliot had proved a coward at the Battle of Lake Erie) by stating, "the man who makes up his mind on such a subject, without looking for evidence, is guilty equally of weakness and injustice..." See Howes C-748. BAL 3896. Harbeck p. 4. The handsome wood-engraved battle scenes and maps have been printed on sepia-toned paper. Scattered light foxing, backstrip professionally laid down. A very nice copy in publisher's blindstamped cloth with gilt spine lettering and design. . 23 cm. xii-447 pp. b/w engraved plates, engraved title.