1861 The Life and Career of Major John Andre, Adjutant-General of the British Army in America

Description

First Edition, Signed, Very Scarce, With Letter

The first edition of this very scarce biographical study of spy and major in the British Army John Andre, from American writer Winthrop Sargent, grandson of the Federalist Party politician of the same name, and with a portrait and letter from the author loosely inserted.

This letter from Winthrop Sargent appears on the stationary of the Manhattan Club, the notorious social club founded in 1865 as the Democratic answer to the Union Club. Dated September 23rd 1866, a year after the club's formation, and addressed to Mr. Hack, the letter reads:

'Dear Sir, Your [...] is just received on our return to town. The letters of John Andrews were (I fancy) fewer in the separate pamphlet form mentioned by you, under the auspices of the Hon. Charles Deane of the Map. Hist. Soc. [...] however is, I think, now in Europe. Perhaps if you were to apply to Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, President of the Map. Hist. Soc., he might put you in the way of obtaining a copy - or if you are unacquainted with them and would wish me to apply, I will cheerfully do so. Yours respectfully, W. Sargent.'

An insightful exploration of the life of Andre, who was ultimately hanged as a spy by the Continental Army for assisting Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point to the British. Andre is typically remembered favourably by historians as a man of honour, with several prominent American leaders of the time - including Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette - disagreeing with his fate.

Only seventy-five copies of this first edition were printed.

Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of Andre, with a loosely inserted engraving of the author, along with the armorial bookplate of Charles H. Bart to the front pastedown.

A fascinating and very scarce consideration of the life of this British spy.