As fine-looking a set of Douglas Southall Freeman’s magisterial study of Robert E. Lee’s lieutenants and the military history of the American Civil War as you’ll ever find.
Sterling condition hardcover copies, complete in three volumes, handsomely produced as per usual Easton Press Collector’s Edition standards, with unbruised tips, tight bindings, and clean internals, showing only the slightest shelf- and edge-wear. Featuring moire endpapers, bound-in silk ribbon bookmarks, three raised bands, all edges gilt, rich, gray leather over boards, classy gilt decorations to covers and spines (being three depictions of the Stars and Bars). Gift-quality condition inside and out to each volume.
The first two volumes were published originally in 1943, with Volume III having been published one year later. A very heavy, oversized set of the Easton Press Collectors Edition. From the smoke-free home of a prominent Richland, Oregon-based fine painter, Richard Murray and who was also a Civil War history buff. Apparently unread volumes, as spines still crackle and sewn-in bookmarks were still folded in prior to collation.
Volume I: Manassas to Malvern Hill, lvi, 1-773 pp. plus full index. Volume II: Cedar Mountain to Chancellorsville, xlv, 1-760 pp. Volume III: Gettysburg to Appomattox, xlvi, 1-862 pp. plus an Index and a final black-and-white map. Thomas Robson Hay’s professional review from 1946 in Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography notes that Freeman’s focus is on the origin and development of the military leadership in terms of those who were appointed to responsible command in Virginia, some of whom became Lee’s lieutenants. The command careers of some were of short duration; others moved slowly upward through the mass, eventually arriving at or near the top. Limitations of age, physical condition, temperament, judgment, personal habits, intellect, alertness or audacity were the usual causes of failure. Often men who did well in subordinate command failed when released from the direction of a superior intellect; others failed because of age or poor health; others were temperamentally unfitted for command” (pp. 127-28).
All in, a splendid, handsome set of a major historian’s magnum opus.
Offered by Structure, Verses, Agency Books
$195
To purchase, contact svafinebooks@gmail.com
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