1849 – Life of John Quincy Adams – Seward | First Edition, American Biography

William H. Seward was an American politician – Governor of New York beginning in 1838, then US Senator, and Secretary of State from 1861-1869 beginning under Lincoln. He was an opponent of the spread of slavery speaking to the Senate about the fugitive slave law and the Missouri compromise. He is also known for negotiating the Alaska purchase. This mid-19th century printing of Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams gives a detailed biography of president. This 1849 first edition includes Portrait of John Quincy Adams with facsimile of his signature and tissue protector on frontispiece.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams, Sixth President of the United States
• Author(s): William Seward
• Publisher: Auburn [N.Y.]: Derby, Miller
• Edition: First Edition, 1849
• Binding: Hardcover
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  8 in x 5.5 in (20 cm x 14 cm)
• Collation: [xvi], 404 pp
• Illustrations: Frontispiece portrait
• Contents Include:
  • Adams’s ancestry and education
  • Law studies and early public life
  • Diplomatic service in Europe and Russia
  • Marriage and literary pursuits
  • Role as U.S. Senator and Secretary of State
  • Correspondence with Jefferson and Madison
  • Opposition to slavery
  • Final illness, death, and national eulogy
• Reference(s): Sabin 79533; Larned 1586

Condition:

Hardcover binding tight and secure. Moderate rubbing at corners with mild edge wear. Some light spotting and foxing present in margins, otherwise clean and well-preserved. Text block sound and complete, frontispiece intact with tissue guard. Overall in Very Good condition.

Why Collect This?

• First edition of Seward’s 1849 biography of John Quincy Adams
• Features engraved portrait frontispiece with facsimile signature

Item Number: # 29681