"A REPUBLICAN HISTORY IS AS MUCH HISTORY AS A MONARCHICAL HISTORY; AND A HISTORICAL NAME IN ONE, IS QUITE AS MUCH ENTITLED TO CONSIDERATION, AS A HISTORICAL NAME IN ANOTHER"

(COOPER, James Fenimore). Home as Found. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1842. Two volumes. Small octavo, 20th-century green cloth, original spine labels; housed in custom chemise and half morocco slipcase. $450.

First edition of one of Cooper's most controversial works.

Cooper's novel of a family of Americans returning to their home in New York was written shortly after Cooper and his family returned from an extensive stay in Europe. The negative portrayal of Americans in Home as Found, along with Cooper's perceived aristocratic values, were harshly criticized by his fellow citizens, and effectively ended the high regard that Americans had for their most famous novelist. BAL's second printing, with no printed notice about the quality of the paper. Spiller & Blackburn 28. BAL3884. Bookplates of Byron Price, director of the U.S. Office of Censorship during World War II and later an Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations.

Text foxed, as usual; only mild wear to original spine labels, cloth fresh.