[Cooper, James Fenimore] | The rare first edition of Cooper's tale of Revolutionary War espionage, the Blair copy

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

[Cooper, James Fenimore]

The Spy: A Tale of the Neutral Ground. New York: Wiley & Halsted, 1821

2 volumes, 8vo (180 x 105mm). Second state of vol. 2 with pages 285 and 286 in proper position. Contemporary straight-grain red morocco over marbled boards; minor wear to joints and extremities, boards lightly rubbed. Housed in a quarter morocco slipcase with cloth chemises.

First edition, the Blair copy of Cooper's romance of Revolutionary War espionage. Cooper was among the first to treat espionage in fiction. ABPC locates only three other copies that have appeared at auction since 1995. 

PROVENANCE

G. Newbold (early pencil signatures) — Heth Lorton (bookplates) — John Insley Blair (Blairhame booklabels to front pastedowns) 

REFERENCE

BAL 3826; Spiller & Blackburn 2