von Holst, H.; Lalor, John J. & Mason, Alfred B. [translators]. The Constitutional and Political History of the United States (4 volume set). Chicago: Callaghan and Company, 1881-1889. [8902]
Brick red cloth with gilt titles, black lines, beveled edges, 9 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches, all hinges and joints fine, bindings tight. Very good. Hardcover.
Vol. I. 1750-1833: State Sovereignty and Slavery. xviii., 505 pp. Pencil notes on the rear fly page.
Vol. II. 1828-1846: Jackson's Administration - The Annexation of Texas. x., 714 pp. Infrequent pencil marginalia.
Vol. III. 1846-1850: Annexation of Texas - Compromise of 1850. x., 597 pp.
Vol. IV. 1850-1854: Compromise of 1850 - Kansas-Nebraska Bill. x., 461 pp. Backstrip indented near the top.
The fourth volume of this set predicts the publication of a further fifth volume. Eight volumes were eventually published. This set presents you with a fine start on assembling all eight volumes.
Hermann Eduard von Holst (1841-1904), b. Fellin, Russian Empire (now Estonia), d. Breisgau, Germany. A Baltic German, von Holst was educated in several German universities, was banished from Russia due a controversial publication, and emigrated to New York City in 1867, teaching foreign languages in a small school. His writings on American history represent a strong anti-slavery view. In addition to his principal work, The Constitutional and Political History of the United States, he wrote biographies of John Brown, John C. Calhoun, and The French Revolution Tested by Mirabeau's Career.