John Corry, 1809

WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799) – CORRY, John (fl. 1825). The Life of George Washington, First President, and Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America; Interspersed with Biographical Anecdotes of the Most Eminent Men who Effected the American Revolution. New York: Printed and Published by M'Carty & White, No. 35, Cedar-Street, 1809.

The Brinley copy. John Corry was an Irish topographer and historian who produced biographies of Joseph Priestley, William Cowper, and others as well as popular fiction of the period, much of which, including this early posthumous biography of George Washington, was aimed at young readers. A reprint of the first edition, lacking the (copyrighted) “Additions and Improvements” of his first American editor. Howes C-790.

12mo (174 x 100mm). With engraved portrait of Washington opposite the title page (marginal loss to final leaf not affecting text, light foxing and browning). Contemporary calf (rubbed, joints cracked). Provenance: Martin Jackson (ownership signature on front endpaper and again twice on rear pastedown) – George Brinley (label on front pastedown, his sale, 22 March 1880, lot 4248).