[Rarebooks] FS: First American Edition of DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA, 1838

[Charles Agvent]

NOT TOO LATE FOR ARRIVAL BY CHRISTMAS!

Another fine item from our Holiday Catalogue containing over 200 book and 
autographs, about half of which are new arrivals.  See the complete list at 
http://www.erols.com/agvent

               TOCQUEVILLE,  Alexis de. DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA. New York:
          G. Dearborn/Adlard & Saunders   1838.  First Edition.   First
          American  Edition in the original blind-stamped and  embossed
          brown cloth;  xxx, 464 pages. Translated by Henry Reeve, Esq.
          with an  original  preface  and notes by John  C.  Spencer. A
          second  volume  was  published  in 1840. At the  age  of  25,
          Alexis  de  Tocqueville  and  a companion were  sent  to  the
          United  States  by  the French government to  study  American
          prisons  in  1831. During his nine months travel  Tocqueville
          interviewed  prominent  figures  and  common  settlers,  even
          meeting  with Charles Carroll of Maryland, the last surviving
          signer  of  the Declaration of Independence. His  notes  from
          that journey  formed the basis of this book, full of insights
          on America  and  the  American  way of  life,  and  of  great
          influence  on  most  writings and thoughts about  the  United
          States  since.  As  just one of many examples  of  his  sharp
          perceptions,  here is Tocqueville on money: "...I know of  no
          other country  where  love of money has such a grip on  men's
          hearts  or  where stronger scorn is expressed for the  theory
          of permanent  equality  of  property." Early  owner  name  of
          Elisha  Whittlesey  on  the  front endpaper,  member  of  the
          Eighteenth  through the Twenty-fifth Congresses of the United
          States   and  appointed  by  Zachary   Taylor  as  the  First
          Comptroller  of  the U.S. Treasury, a position from which  he
          was removed  by  President Buchanan and then  reappointed  by
          President  Lincoln.  Light,  even foxing  throughout.  Covers
          rubbed,  with some wear at the spine tips and corners.  Still
          a Very Good copy.                                    $1500.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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Mertztown, PA  19539-8750
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