ITEM DESCRIPTION:
This auction is for a FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, unique, rare, highest-quality-of-the-time, BOOK. One hundred years old, "History and Biography of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan, Illustrated", published in 1909 by Henry Taylor & Co., Chicago, IL. While the book was not authored by single person, rather by a group of researchers and editors, the Preface notes:
All history is, perforce, a merciless abridgment, and yet too much can never be written concerning any nation, any people - since each contribution must have a dfinite value. In the offering of this compendium of history and biography, the publishers lay claim not to any amplification of data in teh annals fo Detroit and Wayne county, but rather to the condensed, narrative presentation of the history of a section whose records bear the graceful tales of rmance and the sterner burdens of definite accomplishment. In the collation of the generic history, recourse has been had to the most reliable authorities, and the publishers have been most fortunate in securing in this department of the work the co-operation of Mr. Clarence M. Burton, than whom none has ever had more intimate and thorough knowledge of the history of Michigan, and whose reputation in the field of historic research is especially notable. Mr. Burton has not only given careful revision to all subject matter in the general history but has also offered a most valuable personal contribution, in the chapters relative to the war of 1812 and conditions existing at that period.
Chapter 1, most gloriously begins (and this entire book as you can see above and following is a testament to a time when the average man COULD WRITE):
Man commonly believes himself to be lord of creation, but nature often dominates over man. Nine times out of ten nature decies where a great city shall rise and endure. For more than two hundred years, the leading maritime powers of the Old World strugged with each other for mastery of the New World. It was during the struggle between Great Briaain and France that the city of Detroit was founded."
This history is bound in thick black tooled leather with Gilting. Age wear, but intact and very useable to read or peruse through the book. Binding holding well as are all glues. Very large at just under 3" thick, 11 3/4" high by 9 1/4" width. It weighs 7 1/2 lbs.!
Pages areTHICK, no see through, and photo pages are on old photo page paper very strong and thick. Pages are Gilted on all sides. Front and end paper include exquisite Gilted, printed design on front and back end papers.
719 pages with 56: 1908 Bio photos with front tissue sheet to protect them. All photos for bios bear the signature of the subject underneath. Letter from HULL also photographed and included.
This is a really rare, gorgeous book which is in great shape and takes us back to a much better time. It's really a joy to read and look through. I truly hate to part with it, but I must finance my graduate classes.
It would make a fabulous gift for the Mayor, any city official, corporate head, or History Museum!
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