THE MEMOIRS OF A WOMAN WHO SERVED AS A SOLDIER IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

(SAMPSON, Deborah) [MANN, Herman.]. The Female Review; Or, Memoirs of an American Young Lady; Whose Life and Character are Peculiarly Distinguished—Being a Continental Soldier, For Nearly Three Years, in the Late American War. Dedham: Printed by Nathaniel and Benjamin Heaton, for the Author, 1797. Octavo, modern half brown calf, black morocco spine label. $2500.

First edition of this remarkable account of the exploits of Deborah Sampson, who served as a soldier in the American Revolution.

During the American Revolution, Deborah Sampson is renowned for having "performed the duties of every department, into which she was called, with punctual exactness, fidelity and honor, and preserved her chastity inviolate, by the most artful concealment of her sex." "That she actually served, under the name of Robert Shurtleff, is… a matter of indisputable record" (Howes M257). "This remarkable woman was twice severely wounded in action, was pensioned by Congress, and received a compensation from the State of Massachusetts, in consideration of her military services" (Sabin 44314). With engraved frontispiece portrait of Deborah Sampson and printed list of subscribers bound at the end. Bound without pages 233-238, containing information about Sampson's flirtation with women while in regimental uniform and her difficulty adapting to life as a conventional woman in 18th-century America. Evans 32417. Howes M257. Contemporary owner gift inscription.

Expert paper repair and marginal reinforcement to preliminary and concluding leaves, including frontispiece (also mounted and reattached), title page, preface, appendix, and list of subscribers; tiny hole to title page; mild embrowning to text, binding fine and handsome. An extremely good copy.