A HISTORY OF NEW YORK, from the beginning of the world to the end of the Dutch dynasty;

Glasgow: John Wylie & Co, 1821. containing, among many surprising and curious matters, the unutterable ponderings of Walter the Doubter, the disastrous projects of William the Testy, and the chivalric achievements of Peter the Headstrong, the Three Dutch Governors of New-Amsterdam; being the only authentic history of the times that ever hath been published. By Diedrich Knickerbocker. Pp. xxviii+372, hand-coloured frontispiece (painted by Heath, engraved by Freeman, slightly cropped); later half morocco, spine lettered in gilt and ruled in gilt compartments between raised bands, dark green cloth with gilt stamp of the Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow at centre of upper board, corners lightly worn; t.e.g.; marbled endpapers, armorial bookplate of Robert Malcolm Kerr on upper pastedown, the title page slightly offset, a few small edge chips or splits, a little light foxing and occasional slight soiling; printed for John Wylie & Co. by Robert Chapman, Glasgow, 1821. New edition [First Scottish edition]; being one of six copies on large paper [so stated by Sabin and confirmed in a letter from the printer loosely inserted in this copy]. BAL 10231; Sabin 35155. *Originally published in 1809, this satire on contemporary politics and Dutch-American mannerisms and customs was Washington Irving's first major book. Diedrich Knickerbocker, the fictional narrator, was one of several pseudonyms used by Irving throughout his career, and today the surname is still associated with New York and New Yorkers. Born and educated in Glasgow, 'Commissioner' Robert Malcolm Kerr (1821-1902), was a respected barrister and judge. Tipped-in at the upper free endpaper is a bookplate of the Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, dated 9thsuper nosupersub March, 1926, recording that the book was presented to their Library by William Barrie, on behalf of the Kerr family. With the bookplate is a letter from Barrie to the Clerk of Faculty, giving provenance details, and explaining that the printer of the book, Robert Chapman, was also associated with Glasgow University. The book originally belonged to John Kerr (1791-1853), a writer for The Signet. Bound in before the text is a letter from Robert Chapman to John Kerr. Chapman trained as a printer with Foulis, the Glasgow printers, and was the author of a popular guide to Glasgow: The Picture of Glasgow and Stranger's Guide. In the letter he sent to Kerr in June 1821, gifting him this copy of Washington Irving's book, he states that it is one of only 6 copies 'on fine paper'. He also cautions Kerr that, if the book is to be rebound 'in morocco be sure you inform your binder not to crop it' [ a reference to the larger paper size of this copy], adding 'if it ever should fall in the hands of your Bibliographer, such as the celebrated Dibdin your fame and name would be trumped up to future generations!'. Also tipped-in is a later copy of Chapman's letter made by Robert Malcolm Kerr, plus a note by Kerr written in 1879, concerning the binding of the book: 'After the lapse of nearly sixty years, the little printer's wish has been carried out. This book has been bound in morocco - and has not been cropped'. Bound in at the end of the volume is a copy made by R. M. Kerr of some autobiographical notes compiled by Chapman in 1822, plus supplementary notes about the printer written by John Kerr in 1838 and copied out by his son (10 sheets, written on rectos only).