THE COLUMBIAD: A POEM. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I & II. (TWO VOLUMES)

Philadelphia | Baltimore: C. and A. Conrad and Co. | Conrad, Lucas and Co, 1809. Second Edition. Full Leather. Very Good binding. Joel Barlow's "vast and devastating poem" (DAB I 612), The Columbiad, was expanded mostly from his earlier Visions of Columbus. It is one of the first American national epics of historical importance written after the Revolution, even though arguably a failure. Well received for a (short) time, the poem illustrates a dialogue on the romantic discovery, patriotic founding, and utopian vision for the future of the fledgling American nation. This copy, with a full calf leather binding, is the 1809 edition. Without the plates and ornate binding of the first, this was meant to be a more affordable version of the briefly popular epic. The binding is tight, but slightly cracked. The book is foxed throughout, with a previous owner's names written on the title page and the rear pastedown of Volume I, as well as on the front endpaper of Volume II. The front endpaper is clipped at the top, presumably to remove another previous owner. The spines are stamped, with ruled lines and small decorations in gilt. (DAB I 612; AB 16943; Sabin 3416; American Antiquarian Society "The Publication of the 'Columbiad'"). Very Good binding.