Five volumes. Portrait frontispiece, 3 views (one a vignette tail-piece) and 12 engraved folding maps. (8vo) 21x13 cm (8¼x5") later full red morocco by Bayntun, gilt borders, spines gilt, silk endleaves, all edges gilt. First English Edition.
An extra-illustrated copy, with an additional approximately 140 plates, many colored. The maps, previously bound in, are housed in two pockets at the rear of Volumes 4 & 5. A close friend of Washington and also a principled Federalist, Marshall based his work on records and papers provided to him by the late president's family. Historians have often praised this first serious study of the first President for its accuracy, well-reasoned judgments and inclusion of original source material. Described by Sabin as "indispensable," this first English edition was typeset from manuscripts and published shortly after the Philadelphia first edition and is considered the "best edition" by Howes. Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of Washington, made known to the British public through this engraved frontispiece, was executed by Royal engraver, James Fittler. The 12 engraved maps depict Boston, New York Island, the engagement on White Plains, New Jersey, the northern wilderness, Rhode Island, Charleston, and the siege of Charleston. This copy lacking map of the Southern Ditto, map of the Northern Provinces of the United States, and the Investment and Attack of York in Virginia. Howes M317. Sabin 44788.