[Rarebooks] FS: Moultrie: Memoirs of the American Revloution

[Kaaterskill Books]

We offer for Sale:

Moultrie, William. MEMOIRS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: SO FAR AS IT 
RELATED TO THE  STATES OF NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA. 
COMPILED FROM THE MOST  AUTHENTIC MATERIALS, THE AUTHOR'S PERSONAL 
KNOWLEDGE OF THE VARIOUS EVENTS,  AND INCLUDING AN EPISTOLARY 
CORRESPONDENCE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WITH CIVIL AND  MILITARY OFFICERS 
AT THAT PERIOD [TWO VOLUMES]. New York: Printed by David Longworth, 
for the author, 1802. Frontis, viii, [9-] 506; 446 pp. Illus. with 
portrait frontispiece from an original by Charles Fraser and 2 
engraved tail-pieces. 8vo. Tree calf rebacked in calf with gilt 
rules, morocco spine labels, all edges speckled.  Sabin 51142. Howes 
(aa) M865. Shaw & Shoemaker 2704. Ludewig-ALH-938. Menzies (Sabin) 
1445. First edition.

William Moultrie (1730-1805) rose to prominence as a captain in the 
provincial regiment during the Cherokee War, became a recognized 
leader in the military, and was elected by the first Congress as 
colonel of the 2nd Regiment. Despite George Washington's suggestion 
that he abandon the fort on Sullivan's  Island, which guarded 
Charleston Harbor, Moultrie mounted a vigorous defense and repulsed 
the British fleet. Congress named him a brigadier general when his 
regiment was absorbed into the Continental Army. In 1779, he defeated 
a force of the enemy at Beaufort and in May, saved Charleston from 
the British. He was a prisoner of war from 1780 until his exchange in 
1782, and served as a major-general until the end of the war. His 
Memoirs, the main source of information on his campaigns, contain his 
correspondence and other records.  "[They are] of great value for the 
history of the Revolution in South Carolina and Georgia," (DAB). 
Sabin  notes: "The author's position as Governor of South Carolina, 
afforded him ample facilities to consult original authorities, and 
the result of his researches is a good book."

Included is a letter from John Pierce of the John E. Scopes Co., well 
respected rare book dealers of Albany, dated 1915, offering the item 
and noting "the copy now brought to your notice is free from the 
foxing so common to books of that period," a statement which is, 
except for some scattered occurrences mainly on the endpapers and 
front matter, still true. A very good or  better copy, rebacked spine 
heavily rubbed, boards with a few minor scuffs, a short chip along 
the edge of one volume, some wear at the corners, bookplates removed 
from front pastedowns with some old glue remnants,  exposing a small 
bit of mull on one volume, dampstain to top edge of first three 
leaves on volume 1 and on  lower edge of first three leaves on volume 
2, scattered foxing on endpapers, frontis, and a few initial leaves, 
title page offset, some other leaves lightly offset, binders crease 
to a few early leaves, the odd light foxing or  darkening, corner 
chip at P1 (vol. 1) not affecting text and small marginal tears to 
two leaves (vol. 1) and one leaf (vol. 2), but overall all leaves are 
crisp, clean, and unmarked, binding tight and solid. Scarce in this 
condition and much finer than the copy sold by Sotheby's at the 
auction of the Americana Library of Laird U. Park Jr. on Nov. 29, 
2000.    [28383]   $5000


Regards,

Charles Kutcher
Kaaterskill Books
P.O. Box 122
East Jewett, NY 12424.
Phone: 518-589-0555.
Email: books at kaaterskillbooks.com
Member of I. O. B. A.


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