A HISTORY OF THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA

Woodstock, Va.: W.N. Grabill, Power Press, 1902. 403 pages. Original black cloth with gilt spine title. 23 x 16 cm. Spine is faded; very slight wear to spine ends and corners; a few minor traces of marginal foxing; several corners are creased. Good plus. Bookplate of George L. Hart, Sr. on the front pastedown and his embossed address stamp on the front flyleaf and the title page. George Luzerne Hart (1874-1968), a longtime resident of Roanoke, is remembered for his efforts to decode the ciphers contained in “The Beale Papers“ (1885) and to find the treasure supposedly buried by Thomas J. Beale in Bedford County in the early 19th century. THIRD EDITION. The rare first edition was issued in 1833 and contained a chapter on slavery and an account of Mannheim's captivity that were omitted in subsequent versions. The volume offered is a reprint of the second edition of 1850, which was "revised and extended by the author." A valuable account of pioneer days in the Valley. "The first part of Kercheval’s History relates to the settlement and history of the Shenandoah Valley. He was assiduous in interviewing the old timers and has assembled a large body of fact and tradition." --Streeter III, 1336 (1st ed.) "One of the best collections on early border wars." --Howes K102. The extensive appendices describe the natural features of the region and provide information on the mineral springs of Virginia. Haynes 9983.�