1811. · Washington
by [Wilkinson, James]
Washington: Printed for the Author, 1811.. [6],[3]-18,[3]-99,[1],136pp. Modern half morocco and marbled boards, spine gilt. Two titlepages and advertisement leaf supplied from another copy and washed. Contemporary gift inscription and ownership signature on front flyleaves. Evenly tanned. A very good copy, untrimmed. Second issue of this very rare pre-issue of Wilkinson's MEMOIRS..., with the added titlepage, "Burr's conspiracy exposed...." Only this "Volume II" was ever issued in this format. According to the Advertisement for the book, Wilkinson was compelled to print this single volume of his MEMOIRS... "to meet the torrent of vilification" against him as a result of his involvement in the Burr conspiracy. "This book was issued by Wilkinson in his own vindication, and also as a reply to Daniel Clark, who had endeavored to prove that Wilkinson was corrupt, and had been concerned with Burr" - Tompkins. This is Wilkinson's first public statement on the Burr Conspiracy, and is an entirely different book from what eventually appeared as the second volume of his MEMOIRS... in 1816. It is also exceedingly rare.
The Streeter copy sold to Chicago dealer Ralph Newman in 1968 for $100, for collector Harry Sonnenborn. At his sale in 1980 it was bought by John Jenkins for $150. HOWES W428. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 24447. TOMPKINS 107. SABIN 104028. STREETER SALE 1700. (Inventory #: WRCAM30030)
The Streeter copy sold to Chicago dealer Ralph Newman in 1968 for $100, for collector Harry Sonnenborn. At his sale in 1980 it was bought by John Jenkins for $150. HOWES W428. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 24447. TOMPKINS 107. SABIN 104028. STREETER SALE 1700. (Inventory #: WRCAM30030)