Weems, Mason; Van Doren, Mark [series editor]. A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Washington (An American Bookshelf Series). New York: Macy-Masius, 1927. First, Thus. [11826]
Blue publisher's cloth decorated in gilt & red, clean, tight, 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches. 374 clean pp. No dust jacket. Very good. Hardcover.
A reprinting of a later edition of a book which was first published in 1800. "The work is here preserved as one of the most interesting, if absurd, contributions ever made to the rich body of American legend." - Mark Van Doren.
The publisher, Macy-Masius, was only independent from 1926 to 1928, when it was sold to Vangard Press. The founder, George Macy, later founded the Limited Editions Club and The Heritage Press.
Mason Locke Weems (1760-1825), born in Maryland, Weems first studied medicine, and later took up theology. He was an Episcopal minister. After several years of preaching, Weems left the pulpit for the book shop, printing and selling theological literature. He also worked as a traveling book-agent for Matthew Carey. Weems was a master self-promoter and salesman; his fiddle-playing was often used to draw crowds. Weems also wrote several “self-improvement” titles and an immensely popular biography of Washington (59 editions published between 1800 and 1850). Weems’ biography is responsible for the anecdote of the “chopped down cherry tree.”
