COOPER, James Fenimore

Novels

COOPER, James Fenimore. Novels. New York: D. Appleton, 1883. Thirty-two volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter tan calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, burgundy and black morocco spine labels, marbled boards, endpapers and edges. $8800. Early edition of Cooper's collected novels, each volume with a frontispiece and illustrated title page, very handsomely bound. Cooper did not begin his literary career until the age of 30, when his wife challenged his claim that he could produce a better novel than the English novel he had been reading to her. His first book, Precaution (1820), was only modestly successful; his second book, The Spy (1821), was a great success and established his reputation as a leading American author. "Cooper's achievement… was sustained almost to the close of a hectic, crowded career. His worldwide fame attests his power of invention, for his novels have been popular principally for their variety of dramatic incidents, vivid depiction of romantic scenes and situations, and adventurous plots" (Hart, 165). The text of this set is based on the W. A. Townsend edition published from 1857-61. Volume I has an illustration of Cooper's residence in place of the illustrated title page; it includes William Cullen Bryant's "Discourse on the Life, Genius, and Writings of J. Fenimore Cooper." See Spiller & Blackburn, Collected Works 5 (170). Fine condition, a beautiful set.

• USD 8,800.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 64826

• bookseller: Bauman Rare Books (USA)