Éditeurs

1857 · rif. 14254 — West Chester PA: E. F. James Book Card & Job Printer 1857. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. Octavo 160pp. illustrated with numerous advertisements. A very good copy in the publisher's printed boards with black calf spine. Pencil notations and drawings to the blank prelims and final leaves some rather accomplished else a clean unmarked copy internally with only light occasional foxing. A nice sound example. A light contemporary pencil inscription on the first leaf reads: "Presented to Carrie Prince By the author William Darlington." An efficient volume of local interest for this northwestern suburb of Philadelphia which includes a narrative history a directory organized by last name with trades or occupations listed and a final section of advertisements many of which have inset illustrations and all of which have magnificently varied typography. Darlington is not credited anywhere by name in the book as the author nor is he indicated in Bradford. However in the publisher's notice they write: "History of our now beautiful and thriving Borough collected and prepared espressly for this work by the 'OLDEST INHABITANT' will be a source of delight and pleasure to all who read its pages." OCLC identifies this "oldest inhabitant" as William Darlington the noted botanist and medical doctor who served several terms as a US Congressman from the district and later had an accomplished career in the natural sciences. He was born in 1782 and was thus about 75 years old at the time of publication. The inscription is certainly in his hand as it matches known examples of his autograph. Though there is a steady and lengthy history of auction records for this directory we could not find any presentation copies from Darlington. Rare and desirable thus. Bradford 4318. E. F. James Book, Card & Job Printer hardcover