The Constitutional and Political History of the United States

Chicago: Callaghan and Company, 1876. Hardcover. Translation by John J. Lalor and Alfred B. Mason. 8vo. Quarter calf and marbled paper over boards, elaborately gilt spines. xvi, 505pp; iv, 714pp. All edges marbled. Very good. Some scuffing to calf corners, else tight and internally fine. First editions of the first two volumes (only) of this 8-volume set -- the first volume covering "1750-1833. State Sovereignty and Slavery" and the second volume "1828-1846. Jackson's Administration -- Annexation of Texas." Hermann E. Von Holst (1841-1904) was a German-American historian who authored a number of books on American history and politics, this being by far his most influential. This pair are unique for their handsome custom bindings -- better yet, both volumes are signed and inscribed by one of the translators, Lalor: On an inner flyleaf of the first volume, he pencils "J.M. Lynch / With the Kind regards of / John J. Lalor / June 18, 1876" and on the inner flyleaf of the second volume he boldly inks "Gen. James M. Lynch / With the regards of the translator / J.J. Lalor / Milwaukee July 2 1879." Lynch (died 1882) served as chief clerk at the Adjutant General's Office during the Civil War and was appointed quartermaster general in 1865. An absolutely superb pair, quite scarce as such. Libraries were the main purchaser of most sets of Von Holst, the result being that copies on the market tend to be worn clothbound ex-library sets.