John Marshall. THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN FORCES, DURING THE WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY, AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 5 vols. Philadelphia: C. P. Wayne, 1804-1807. First edition; first issue. Tree calf with gilt-titled red morocco label on spines, all edges stained yellow. 8vo; [ii], xxii, 488, 45pp.; viii, 560, 72pp.; viii, 580, 28pp.; viii, 626, [2], 16pp.; vii, [i], 779, [1], 36pp. Lacking portrait frontispiece (though a frayed tissue guard remains) and the scarce separate 4to atlas volume. With printed marginalia. Sabin 44788.

9 1/8 x 5 3/4 in.

Sabin calls this and the other early issues published up until 1807, "The only complete editions of this indispensable work, the Colonial History being omitted in the later American editions" (p. 222).

A good to very good and sturdy set despite lacking atlas and frontispiece; boards with light wear, scuffs, and edgewear, joints rubbed and all but vol. 1 with some cracking and vol. 4 with several small wormholes at front joint, spines with creasing and chips, head of most spines rubbed with small chips and losses; interiors with overall light to moderate toning, scattered light to moderate foxing, frequent grime and staining, and occasional minor edge chip/fraying; some corner losses not impacting text, vol. 2 and 3 with very faint damp staining at lower margin and associated slight waviness to several leaves, vol. 5 with minor damp staining at inner margin.