Uncommon, Scarce and Rare Books Relating to American History During the Discovery and Colonial Periods Together with Other Americana from the Library of William L. Clements

Bay City, Michigan: Privately printed, 1914. First edition. Light chipping to wrappers, generally fine. Folio (12 x 8.5 inches). 22 leaves, untrimmed with deckle edges preserved. Original gelatin silver print photograph of the interior of Clements's library mounted as frontispiece (4 1/2 x 6 3/8 inches). Sewn in printed wrappers. The scarce privately printed catalogue of William L. Clements's library, with a photograph showing the books in situ in his home. Clements (1861-1934) formed one of the great libraries of early Americana and secured its preservation by transferring the collection to the University of Michigan in 1923. He continued to collect until the end of his life, making major archival acquisitions such as the papers of Sir Henry Clinton and the correspondence of Major John André and Benedict Arnold. The present catalogue lists several hundred printed rarities. It includes a two-page introduction and the books are divided as follows: Relating to the Discovery and Colonization Periods; Religious Works; Relating to the French and Indian War 1755-1763; Poetry and Drama; Relating to the Indians, and Not Already Listed; Books Relating to Pennsylvania and to Other Colonies, Provinces or States; Colonial Laws and Charters; Relating to the Revolution; Washingtoniana; The More Important Historical Collections and Transactions Relating to American History; Bibliography of American History. (Inventory #: 410926)