A HISTORY OF THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA by Kercheval, Samuel - 1833

Winchester, VA: Samuel H. Davis, 1833. Full Leather. Good binding. 12mo. [2], iv, ix-xlvi, 47-486 pp. First edition. In contemporary speckled calf with morocco title label on the spine; the peculiar pagination is consistent with Howes and Streeter, the book is complete. Binding is generally and lightly scuffed with a small gouge to the leather at the fore-edge of the rear board; front board has been discreetly reinforced where it was nearly detached; front free endpaper has a large and early tape repair to the verso; contents are generally foxed throughout. This copy belonged to George Clinton Fairchild Williams with his 20th century engraved bookplate on the front pastedown.

Streeter, Howes, and others have noted Kercheval's reliance on Doddrige and others, but for the first part of this work relating "to the settlement and history of the Shenandoah Valley, [Kercheval] was assiduous interviewing the old timers and has assembled a large body of fact and tradition" Streeter 1336. Field 822; Howes K-102 "aa"; Sabin 37611.