The Life of George Washington by John Marshall, First English Edition, Five Volume Set, 1804-1807

Marshall, John. The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. London: Printed for Richard Phillips by T. Gilet and J. Adlard, 1804-1807. First English Edition. Five Volumes. Octavos. In contemporary tree calf, with black and orange Moroccan spine labels, lettered in gilt. Illustrated with frontispiece portraits and views, with several engraved maps. Books presented in a new archival cloth slipcase. 

Presented is the first English octavo edition of John Marshall’s seminal biography of George Washington, in five volumes. Printed in London for Richard Phillips by T. Gilet and J. Adlard, from 1804 to 1807, this desirable set is presented in contemporary full tree calf boards, with black and orange Moroccan leather spine labels lettered in gilt and a new archival cloth slipcase.  

Shortly after Marshall became Chief Justice, he was approached by Washington’s nephew, Bushrod, to write the first president’s official biography. Probably no man was better suited to the task. As a personal friend of Washington, Marshall had been the one to announce the President’s death in 1799, offered the eulogy, chaired the committee that arranged the funeral rites, and led the commission to plan a monument in the capital city. When Marshall’s Life of Washington appeared, it was considered so authoritative that Washington scholar, Jared Sparks, suggested any new biographical undertaking would be “presumptuous” (Sparks, Washington I:12). 

The work "is political history as well as biography… the only comprehensive account by a great statesman of the full founding of the United States— of the founding of an independent people as well as of its government… There is no other concentrated history of the essentials by such an authority on American institutions" (Robert K. Faulkner). "If George Washington founded the country, John Marshall defined it" (Jean Edward Smith).  In fact, even Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of Washington was made known to the general public through the stipple-engraved frontispiece included in this five volume set. The engraving was done by London engraver, James Fittler ARA. 

This first English edition, together with the first American edition of the same years, are "the only complete editions of this indispensable work” as the sections on colonial history were omitted in the later American editions (Sabin). The atlas volume, issued later, is not present here. 

CONDITION: 

In good condition. In five volumes. First English edition. 8vo. Presented in full contemporary tree calf, with black and orange morocco spine labels, stamped in gilt. Light rubbing and wear to boards and joints; all edges trimmed. Interior pages are mostly healthy, with scattered light to moderate foxing to text; light offsetting in plates, some plates toned. There is a closed tear in the bottom edge, pp. 357/358 in Vol. I; small worming in bottom fore-edge of prelims and first 64 pp. in Vol. IV, closed tear in bottom edge pp. 131/132 in same. Illustrated with three engraved frontispieces, including portrait of Washington and two folding views, 12 engraved folding maps, and one engraved vignette at bottom of p. 570 in third volume.  xxxvi, 579, (1); viii, 633, (1), (2, ads); viii, 570 (but 572); viii, 684; viii, 843, (1), (4, ads) pp.

Presented with a new archival cloth slipcase, lined, with ribbon pull, gilt embossed facsimile signature and inlaid portrait of Washington on the front. 

Book Dimensions: Vol I: 8 1/2" H x 5 1/2" W x 1 9/16" D. Vol II: 8 1/2" H x 5 1/2" W x 1 9/16" D. Vol III: 8 1/2" H x 5 1/2" W x 1 7/16" D. Vol IV: 8 1/2" H x 5 1/2" W x 1 5/8" D. Vol V: 8 1/2" H x 5 1/2" W x 2  1/4" D. Slipcase Dimensions : 9" H x 9 1/4" W x 5 3/4" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.