Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author - photo 1
Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author - photo 2
Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author - photo 3

Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author

Starting price
$ 8 000
Auction dateClassic
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
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ID 967627
Lot 18 | Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author
Precaution, bound with a signed letter by the author

James Fenimore Cooper, 1820

[COOPER, James Fenimore (1789-1851).] Precaution. New York: A.T. Goodrich & Co., 1820.



First edition of Cooper’s debut novel—a literary association copy, bound with a signed letter by the author. Cooper's first foray into fiction was a far cry from his later frontier adventures, influenced by the works of Jane Austen and the English domestic novel. It was published anonymously and the reading public was rather surprised to eventually learn that the novel, which tells the story of a young couple in Northamptonshire, had been written by an American man. While only moderately successful, it sparked in Cooper the idea of himself as a novelist. This copy is from the library of American novelist George Barr McCutcheon, who also wrote popular adventure-romances. BAL 3825.



Two volumes, 12mo (180 x 103mm). Half-titles, errata leaf at end of volume 2 (toned). Contemporary half calf and marbled boards (rebacked preserving original spine); each volume in a modern cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. Provenance: George Barr McCutcheon, 1866-1928, American novelist (bookplates).



[Bound With:] COOPER, James Fenimore (1789-1850). Autograph letter signed ("J. Fenimore Cooper") to Rev. Joseph Ransom, New York, 23 November 1845. One page, bifolium, 250 x 204mm, addressed in his hand on the integral transmittal leaf with a red five cent New York cancellation dated 22 November (light toning, a few minor fold separations and light marginal chipping, lower portion of address panel affixed to the front blank endpaper). Cooper updates the pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown on various financial matters including the payment of Ransom's salary: "… Mr. Forbes tell me he held $100 of collections, which he intended to appropriate to you, in the event of the stipend failing." Ransom served as the pastor of Christ Episcopal Church from 1846 to 1850 (See John Sawyer, History of Cherry Valley (1898), p. 118).

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15.06.2023
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