The Works of Alexander Hamilton: Comprising His Most Important Official Reports; An Improved Edition of The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788; and Pacificus, on the Proclamation of Neutrality, Written in 1793.

HAMILTON, Alexander.

Item Number: 111935

New York: Published by Williams and Whiting, 1810.

First edition of Hamilton’s works, and sixth edition of the Federalist. Octavo, three volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, marbled endpapers, edges sprinkled red, complete with three engraved frontispiece portraits of Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Contemporary calf, smooth spines numbered in gilt and ruled in gilt in compartments, boards decoratively ruled in gilt; all text block edges sprinkled red; marbled endpapers. In near fine condition, contemporary name to the front free endpaper. An exceptional set, uncommon in this condition.

"The sixth edition [of the Federalist] was published in 1810 by Williams and Whiting of New York, and formed the second and third volumes of the "Writings of Hamilton" [sic.]. It was edited by John Wells, a distinguished member of the New York bar, and one of Hamilton's personal friends.... [T]he text was said to have the benefits of the marginal notes made by Hamilton in his own copy. The principal... feature of this edition was that the names of the respective authors were appended to each essay" (Henry Cabot Lodge, The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States [New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1889]); p. xxxviii). Sabin 23982 (see also Sabin 29987), Howes H-114, Ford, Bibliotheca Hamiltonia, 116.