Search Results: History from CraigsClassics

"The Addresses and Messages of the Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Tyler" - Embracing the Executive Proclamations, Recommendations, Protests, and Vetoes, from 1789-1842, Together with the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. 1842 3rd edition (stated); Edward Walker; New York. Included are addresses, messages, etc. of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, and John Tyler. (Note: Uncommon 3rd edition with the contents extending to the administration of John Tyler - though both the 'Advertisement' and the Contents state the book ends with the inaugural address of William Henry Harrison, the book actually concludes with John Tyler's inaugural address, special session message, first annual message, etc.). Nicely decorated cloth covers with a gilt patriotic front cover illustration featuring George Washington and an American eagle. There are… Read More

"The American Red Cross - A History" by Foster Rhea Dulles with its original dust jacket. 1950 1st edition (stated); Harper & Brothers; New York. Here are few examples of the chapters: Background and Origins; The Regime of Clara Barton; The Spanish-American War; Disaster Relief; The Challenge of War; The Red Cross Overseas; Fire, Flood and Storm; On the Field of Action; The Shadow of War; Pearl Harbor and After; The Blood Donor Program; The Invasion of Western Europe; Prisoners of War...please see the photos for the complete list.From the dust jacket: "This general history of the American Red Cross gives an over-all picture of operations during the past seventy years. To anyone associated with the Red Cross or interested in its activities the history provides a broader perspective and wider understanding of just what the organization represents. Moreover, the story of activities both at home and abroad is set against the historical background of peace and war during these years to show how the… Read More

This is a very clean copy of "BIBLE LANDS ILLUSTRATED" - A Pictorial Handbook of the Antiquities and Modern Life of All the Sacred Countries by Henry Fish. 1876; American Publishing Company; Hartford, CT. The book is profusely illustrated with 600 engravings and maps. Gilt all edges. With "one thousand elucidated scripture texts, and two thousand indexed subjects." Please see the photos for the complete list of contents. From the Preface:"A working book on the Bible Lands has long been wanted. Sunday-School teachers have wanted it; pastors and intelligent laymen have wanted it; families and children have wanted it. Books on the East abound; but they are either too voluminous and diffusive, or too limited to be of the widest utility. A convenient volume for ready reference to such places, things, events, customs and practices in the several Scripture countries as shall help to make intelligible and vivid Divine truth, must be admitted to be a felt need."Condition:Clean covers with no stains; the maroon… Read More

"Biographical and Critical Miscellanies" by William H. Prescott. 1859; Phillips, Sampson and Company. Three-quarter leather binding with marbled covers, marbled end papers and marbled page edges on all 3 sides. The book contains 14 essays on a variety of topics (including Sir Walter Scott, the Asylum for the Blind, Bancroft's United States, Cervantes) - please see the photos for the complete list of contents. With a frontispiece portrait of Prescott. Condition: Some rubbing to the marbled covers; corner wear; some scuffs to the leather at the corners and spine. Tight binding. No cracks. No loose pages. The text pages are in terrific condition - clean and white with no notable condition flaws found. The 2 front end papers are attached along the bottom edge. Overall in very good condition.

Nice condition, antique copy of "Bradford's History of the Plymouth Settlement 1608-1650" - rendered into modern English by Valerian Paget. 1909; Alston Rivers; London. Decorative cloth binding. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents. There is an Index at the back.Condition:Clean covers and spine. Sharp cover corners. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Both covers are firmly attached. Nice interior - the text pages are lightly age-toned and clean with no issues found. Heavier toning to the end papers and pastedowns. Name/address/date (1909) written in ink on the front end paper. Bright gilt lettering and decorations on the front cover and spine. Overall the book is in Very Good+ condition.

"The Bravest of the Brave" - or, With Peterborough in Spain by G.A. Henty. Circa 1890's (there is no date of publication stated); Blackie & Son; London. The book features eight full-page illustrations by H.M. PAGET (all are present).Condition:There are a few tiny stains spots at the top edge of the front cover. The red cloth on the spine has faded a bit. There is a "waffle"-type outline where the cloth has faded at the center of the back cover. Tight binding with no loose pages. There is an insignificant crack at the front hinge between the end paper and half title page (despite the crack, the front cover is still firmly attached and is not shaky). Nice interior - the pages are mostly clean with only some finger stains on the outer margins of pages 20 & 21, and a few random light smudges found. There is a neatly written name/address/quotation/date (1905) in pen on the back of the frontispiece. Initials have been written in red ink on the title page. Overall the book is in Very Good condition.

This is a handsome, vintage Virginia history book - "A Brief & True Report Concerning Williamsburg in Virginia" by Rutherfoord Goodwin. 1959 3rd edition (stated); August Dietz and Son (for Colonial Williamsburg); Richmond, VA. Nicely bound with marbled covers and a leather spine. With a frontispiece portrait of King William III, illustrations, and fold-out city plans. "Being an Account of the most important Occurrences in that Place from its first Beginning to the present Time. To which is added an Appendix composed of the Records and Works from which this Account is drawn; together with full and true Copies of the Acts for building the Capitol and the city of Williamsburg, and the Charter of the City."Condition:Clean covers and spine; sharp corners. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. The text pages are clean and appear unread with no issues found. There is a name/date (1960) written in pencil on the front end paper. Overall the book is in Near Fine condition.

This is an antique book focusing on the Civil War, as well as post-war race relations, "Bright Skies and Dark Shadows" by Henry M. Field. 1890 1st edition; Charles Scribner's Sons; New York. The book features at least two color maps, and two black & white maps. Gilt top page edges. Here are a few examples of the contents: Over the Mountains: Asheville and Knoxville - A Reminiscence of the War; From Chattanooga to Atlanta - Along the Track of Sherman's March; The Black Belt and the Race Problem; The Negro Vote; Capacity of the Negro - His Position in the North - The Color Line in New England; The Expatriation of a Whole Race; Old Masters Caring for Their Old Slaves; A Camp Meeting in the Woods with a Few Words to My Colored Brethren; A Story of the War - The Battle of Franklin; The Hermitage - The Home and Burial-Place of Andrew Jackson; Stonewall Jackson and the Valley Campaign; The Last Days of General Lee...and more - please see the photos for the complete list.From the author's Preface: "It is… Read More

This is a beautifully illustrated volume from "Bryant's Popular History of the United States" by William Cullen Bryant and Sidney Howard Gay. Volume II only. 1883; Charles Scribner's Sons; New York. The book is profusely illustrated with in-text illustrations and engraved plates throughout.The contents of this volume are as follows: The Pequot War; Southern New England; The Boston Puritans; The Shawomet People and Their Indian Friends; New Netherland under Peter Stuyvesant; The Dutch and Their Neighbors; Quakerism in New England; Virginia and Maryland under the Commonwealth; The Later Years of New Netherlands; The Surrender of New Netherland; The Carolinas; Virginia under Berkeley; New York; North and South Carolina; The Political Policy of the Puritans; Philip's War; New Hampshire; The Witchcraft Delusion; Colonization by Friends; The French in the Mississippi Valley; The Mississippi Scheme; Spanish Colonization; Spanish Explorations and Colonizations.Condition:Clean back cover and spine; there are… Read More

"By England's Aid" - or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604) by G.A. Henty. Circa 1890's (there is no date of publication stated); Blackie & Son; London. The book features four maps and 10 full-page illustrations by Alfred Pearse. There is a 32-page publisher's catalog at the back.Condition:Some light soiling to the covers and spine. There are a couple tiny cloth tears at the right edge of the spine. Small cloth tears at the top and bottom edges of the spine, and at the cover corners. Tight binding with no loose pages. Occasional smudges to the pages here and there. Page 13, 14, 18, 70 & 71 each have a stain at an outer margin. Initials written in red ink on the title page. A few random pages (including the frontispiece) were found that have a small tear at an outer edge. Overall the book is in Good condition.

"CALIFORNIA'S PIONEER CIRCUS" - Memoirs and Personal Correspondence Relative to the Circus Business through the Gold Country in the 50's by Joseph Andrew Rowe. 1926 1st edition; Albert Dressler; San Francisco. Limited edition - this copy is #493 of only 1,250 copies printed. The book contains numerous original illustrations. The contents are as follows: Memoirs; Stars of California's Pioneer Circus; Letters, etc.; Finis. Rowe was an American equestrian and manager of circus companies who, in 1849, brought the first circus entertainment to the West Coast of the United States (in San Francisco).Condition:Clean front cover and spine. There is a 2.5" x 1" outline of what appears to be a removed label at the bottom edge of the back cover, otherwise clean. Sharp cover corners. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Both covers are firmly attached. Nice interior - the pages are clean and nearly appear unread with only a few random, tiny foxing spots found. Tanning to the front and rear end papers.… Read More

This is an amazing, antique book about The War of the Rebellion - "CAMPFIRE AND BATTLEFIELD ~ An Illustrated History of the Campaigns and Conflicts of the Great Civil War" by Rossiter Johnson. Circa 1890's (there is no date of publication stated); Desmond Publishing Company, Boston / Bryan, Taylor & Co. / New York. The book is profusely illustrated with over 1,000 photographs, drawings (many of which are full-page), maps and portraits. Decorative floral end papers. There is an Index at the back. Oversized and hefty - the book measures 13 5/8" tall x 11 1/8" wide. Complete in one volume.Condition:There is a small stain at the left edge of the front cover, a stain near the top edge of the spine, and a few vertical scratch lines at the bottom half of the back cover. Cloth tears at the bottom edges of the spine. The gilt on the spine has faded just a bit. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. The paper at the inner edge of the front pastedown has torn/split in places along the bottom half. The… Read More

Nice condition copy of "Child Life in Colonial Days" by Alice Morse Earle. 1899 1st edition; The Macmillan Company; New York. The book is profusely illustrated with dozens of photographs and illustrations (some of which are full-page). Gilt top page edges. Illustrated end papers. The book is a "record of the life of children in the American colonies." Chapters include Babyhood, Children's Dress, Games and Pastimes, Oldtime Discipline, Penmanship and Letters, Children's Toys...please see the photos for the compete list.Condition:Clean covers; there are a couple tiny stain specks on the spine; sharp corners. Bright gilt lettering on the front cover and spine; bright gilt top page edges. Tight binding with no loose pages. There is an insignificant crack at the front hinge between the end paper and half title page (despite the crack, the front cover is firmly attached and not shaky). Nice pages - clean with the exception of list of illustrations page xvi, which has a handwritten correction...a name has… Read More

This is an antique book of color views of the "CITY OF BOSTON." 1869; T. Nelson and Sons; New York. The book contains 10 landmarks within the city of Boston, each with a full-page color plate and a descriptive summary (with the exception of the Custom House, for which a color plate does not appear to have been produced as there is no indication that a plate was removed). Wonderful seaport panoramic two-page view of Boston Harbor at the front. The following 10 landmarks are included: Interior of Faneuil Hall, Old South Church, City Hall, King's Chapel, New Masonic Temple, State House, Old Hancock House, Public Library, Bunker's Hill Monument. Hardcover with 24 numbered pages. Smaller in size - the book measures 6 5/8" wide x 4" tall.Condition:Light soiling to the front cover and spine. There is a crack at the front hinge between the pastedown and end paper resulting in the front cover being shaky. Consistent light foxing to the pages and plates, though the foxing is heavier on the first few and last… Read More

This is an antique volume of the "Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society For the Year 1793" - Volume II. 1810; Munroe & Francis; Boston. The highlight of this volume is a lengthy, 205-page discussion of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR titled "An Historical Journal of the American War." From the introduction: "A particular narration of the publick transactions at the rise of the troubles in America, and the commencement of hostilities in the (then province now) Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is contained in a manuscript, entitled 'Memoirs of the revolution of Massachusetts Bay,'' in a series of letters, which, on suitable encouragement, will probably be published in a separate volume. The occurrences, therefore, in the Massachusetts are only noted at their respective dates in the following Journal. And a detail is here given of the principal events in the other States of the Union."Other interesting contents include: Dr. Cotton Mather's Account of a Great Storm; Gov. John Winthrop's Account of the… Read More

Beautifully illustrated antique set of "The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A'Beckett. Circa 1880's (there is no date of publication stated); Bradbury, Agnew, & Co.; London. The set features 20 full-page hand-tinted color engravings and 200 black & white woodcuts by John Leech. Complete set in 2 volumes.Condition:Light staining to the covers of volume II. The spine label of volume II has chipped at the bottom-right corner. Sharp corners to all covers. Both volumes are tightly bound with no loose pages. Volume I is in excellent condition on the inside and nearly appears unread. Volume II has a stain at the bottom-right corner of the text block; the stain has bled onto the text pages only on the 2nd blank end paper at the front of the book, and the 2nd to last blank end paper at the back along the lower and outer edges; no other condition issues found with the interior of volume II.

Nice condition antique copy of "The Declaration of Independence; The Constitution of the United States; The Farewell Address of George Washington to the People of the United States on Declining a Re-election to the Presidency, and the Proclamation of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, to the People of South Carolina." 1833; Octavius Longworth; New York. Marbled covers. Hardcover with 75 numbered pages. The book is smaller in size - it measures 6" tall x 3 3/4" wide. Uncommon edition that includes President Andrew Jackson's proclamation to the people of South Carolina that disputed a state's right to nullify a federal law.Condition:Wear to the cover corners. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Occasional foxing to the pages. Overall the book is in Very Good condition.

Richly illustrated copy of "Deeds of Daring by The American Soldier North and South During the CIVIL WAR" by D.M. Kelsey. 1898; The Werner Company; Chicago and New York. There are illustrations throughout, many of which are full-page. Decorative floral end papers. The book contains "thrilling narratives of personal adventure, exploits of scouts and spies, forlorn hopes, heroic bravery, patient endurance, imprisonments and hair breadth escapes, romantic incidents, hand to hand struggles, humorous and tragic events, perilous journeys, bold dashes, brilliant successes, magnanimous actions, etc., on each side of the line during the Civil War."Here are a few examples of the contents: Court-Martialed by Guerillas; Into the Jaws of Death; The Spoils of Battle; Caring for the Wounded; A Hand-to-Hand Encounter; Every Man for Himself; Interview with the President; In the Confederate War Department; A Vengeful Woman; The Spy's Escape; A Scouting Adventure; Surrender of Arms; A Drunken Officer; The Valley of… Read More

"The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston" - edited and compiled by John W. Linnehan and Edward E. Cogswell. 1914; Atlantic Printing Company; Boston. The book is profusely illustrated with black & white photographs throughout. There is a complete list of contents and nine pages of illustrated advertisements at the back.The contents are grouped as follows: The Dorchester Gentlemen's Driving Club 1899-1914; The Metropolitan Driving Club of Boston 1904-1914; Fellsway Driving Club of Somerville 1908-1914; The Old Colony Driving Club 1908-1914; The Quannapowitt Driving Club 1907-1914; The Gentlemen's Driving Club of Lynn 1904-1914; Big Interclub Matinees of Greater Boston Driving Clubs; Facts and Anecdotes of Prominent Events of the Turf; Biographies and Portraits of Driving Club Members and Prominent Horsemen of New England.Condition:Clean covers and spine; bright gilt lettering on the spine. Cloth tears to the outer corners of the front cover, and to the top and bottom edges of the spine. Tight binding with… Read More

Clean copy of "Early Days of the Connecticut Valley" by Alice Walker. 1901 1st edition; published in Amherst, MA. The book contains a few illustrations by Martha Genung. Softcover.Condition:Clean covers with no stains; there are some small tears along perimeter of the covers. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Clean pages with no writing, stains or foxing; small tear at the outer edge of the title page. Overall the book is in very good condition.