Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 19

"American Commonwealth" by James Bryce, First Edition, Three Volume Set, 1888

Price:$1,250

$1,650List Price

About the Item

Bryce, James. The American Commonwealth. London: Macmillian and Co., 1888. First edition three volume set. Three-quarter morocco leather boards with deckled edges, gilt ruling, and gilt titles to the spine. Presented in custom matching slipcase. This first edition, three volume set of The American Commonwealth was published in London by Macmillian and Company in 1888. The books are bound in three-quarter straight grain morocco leather and maroon linen boards with gilt embossed and banded spine. The top edges are trimmed and edged with gilt while the other page ends are left deckled. All three volumes are presented in a custom archival matching slipcase. James Bryce was a well-respected British politician, diplomat, and historian. Later serving as ambassador to the U.S., Bryce was regius professor of civil law at Oxford while he wrote The American Commonwealth. The three volume set examined “the institutions and the people of America as they are.” Bryce discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the still young democratic government, publishing what became known as the most important study of America’s political, social, and economic features since Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America 53 years earlier. The work is divided into six parts, analyzing what the author calls “the nation of the future.” Part I concerns the Federal government, Part II considers the state governments, Part III describes the political system and parties, Part IV is devoted to public opinion, Part V discusses foreign affairs and the strengths and weaknesses of a democratic government, and lastly Part VI examines the different non-political aspects of society. The work lacks dense technicalities, making it an easily read and understood by those outside the government. After publication, the work was enthusiastically received by Americans, quickly becoming mandatory reading for schools of law, economics, and sociology. Bryce’s observations and descriptions of the still-young country proved an invaluable study and remains an important work for the state of America in the late 19th century. CONDITION: Good + condition. Three volumes. 3/4 red leather and cloth boards, with gilt ruling, gilt stamped spines. Rubbing to boards, chipping and wear along spine. Deckled fore edges, gilt top edges. New front and back hinges to all volumes. The three volumes are housed in an archival custom matching maroon slipcase decorated with a reproduction of John Trumbull’s “Declaration of Independence July 4. 1776” painting. Dimensions: 9.5” H x 6.5” W x 5.5” D (with slipcase) Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.

Dimensions:
Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Leather,Paper,Gilt
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
1888
Condition:
Repaired: New front and back hinges to all volumes by Felton Bookbinding Ltd. in Ontario, Canada, in December of 2025. Additions or alterations made to the original: New archival cloth slipcase by Felton Bookbinding, Ltd. in Ontario, Canada in 2019. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Reference Number:
Seller: BK0556Repost1stDibs: LU909735018682

More From This Seller

View All

The History of the Discovery and Settlement of America by W. Robertson, 1835

By William Robertson

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Robertson, William, Frost, John. The History of the Discovery and Settlement of America, With an Account of His Life and Writings, To which are added Questions for the Examination of...

Category

Antique 1830s American Early Victorian Books

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Eminent Americans by Benson J. Lossing, Illustrated, 1890

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Lossing, Benson J. Eminent Americans: Comprising Brief Biographies of Leading Statesmen, Patriots, Orators and Others, Men and Women, Who Have Made American History. New York: John W...

Category

Antique 1890s American American Classical Books

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

History of the Discovery of America by Henry Trumbull, 1832

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Trumbull, Henry. History of the Discovery of America: Of the Landing of our Forefathers at Plymouth, and of Their Most Remarkable Engagements with the Indians in New-England, From Th...

Category

Antique 1830s American Early Victorian Books

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Journal of an Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains by Samuel Parker, 1844

By Samuel Parker

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Parker, Samuel. Journal of an Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains, Under the Direction of the A. B. C. F. M., Containing a Description of the Geography, Geology, Climate, Produ...

Category

Antique 1840s American American Classical Books

Materials

Fabric, Paper

"Congress and the Nation 1946-1964" First Edition Two-Volume Set, Published 1965

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Congress and the Nation 1945-1964: A Review of Government and Politics in the Postwar Years. District of Columbia: Congressional Quarterly Service, 1965. First edition, two-volume se...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

The Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, Revised, 1883

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Gleed, Charles S, ed. Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean Via Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co., 1883. Revised Edition. Rebound in ¼ red leather and cloth boards, with original cloth gilt-stamped pictorial front board saved, new marbled endpapers, and a custom archival slipcase to match. Illustrated throughout with engravings. This is a “Revised Edition” of the Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, via Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The book was edited by Charles S. Gleed and published by Rand, McNally & Co., in Chicago in 1883. It has been artfully rebound in ¼ red leather and cloth boards, with the original gilt-stamped pictorial front cloth board saved, new marbled endpapers, and a matching archival cloth slipcase. As explained in the beginning of the guidebook, the purpose of the book is “to give the reader a satisfactory general idea of the States and Territories of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, through which the traveler passes in going from the Missouri river to the Pacific ocean, or vice versa, entering or leaving California at its southern extremity.” Following the southern route of railways, editor Charles Gleed lays out in extensive detail information on each state, including population numbers, key industries, important towns and railway stations, farming and agriculture, mining opportunities, and weather patterns. Throughout the guidebook are countless engravings, both full page and in-text, from well known engravers of the time. Meant to further entice readers to take this overland journey, the illustrations offer views of key tourist spots, townviews, and scenic destinations, throughout the featured states of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The guidebook is also supplemented by pages of printed advertisements in the beginning of the book, showcasing local businesses, services, and wares. Charles Sumner...

Category