Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757. By the Author of "The Pioneers.

Philadelphia: H.C. Carey & I. Lea, 1826. Full Description:

[COOPER, James Fenimore]. The Last of the Mohicans. A Narrative of 1757. By the Author of "The Pioneers." Philadelphia: H.C. Carey & I. Lea, 1826.

First edition, first issue with the following issue points: Vol. I: pagination present on page 71, page 89 misnumbered 93, chapter XVI misnumbered XIV and the final "i" is present on page vii, (in some copies it is numbered "vi"; BAL states that "examination suggests that the folio was correctly set and the 'i' may have dropped out during the printing," the sequence of states has not been established). State A of Volume II (sequence of states not determined) with "a Book" in the fifth line of the copyright notice. BAL 3833. Two twelvemo volumes (6 3/4 x 4 3/16 inches; 174 x 106 mm). [2, blank], [i]-xi, [1, blank], 282, [4, blank]; [2, blank], [4], 289, [5, blank] pp.

Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Brown calf spine labels, lettered in gilt. Spine stamped and numbered in gilt. Some minor foxing and toning throughout as usual. Boards and spines with some rubbing. Previous owner's old ink signature on top margin of both title-pages. In volume I, pare 121 is roughly opened. In volume II, page 279 has a tear in the blank fore-edge margin, just slightly touching a few letters. Housed in a custom full morocco clamshell. A very good copy of this American literary landmark.

"This is the most famous of the Leatherstocking Tales, and the first in which the scout Natty Bumppo was made the symbol of all that was wise, heroic and romantic in the lives and characters of the white men who made the American wilderness their home... The novel glorified for many generations of readers, in England, France, Russia, and at home, some aspects of American life that were unique to our cultural history" (Grolier American 100 34). "The real triumph of Cooper is the variety of his invention, the power with which, isolating his few characters in the wilderness, he contrives to fill their existences, at least for the time being, with enough actions, desires, fears, victories, defeats, sentiments, thoughts to make the barren frontier seem a splendid stage" (DAB).

BAL 3833. Grolier, 100 American, 34. Spiller & Blackburn,.

HBS 68994.

$17,500.