FORMS OF CONVEYANCING; AND OF PRACTICE, IN VARIOUS COURTS, AND PUBLIC OFFICES. Volume II (only) of two volumes by [BUCHANAN, James] GRAYDON, William - 1811

Harrisburgh, PA: John Wyeth, 1811. First Edition. Hardcover. Light to moderate foxing throughout. Very Good. Octavo (5" x 8-1/4") bound in contemporary calf leather recently rebacked retaining the original spine and gilt-stamped burgundy morocco spine label. The second volume of two, but this copy belonged to President James Buchanan and is SIGNED by him, clearly and darkly, on top of the title page. Books signed by Buchanan are hard to come by.

Buchanan is the only president from Pennsylvania and the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor. Much speculation has been made about Buchanan's sexual orientation based largely on his close and intimate relationship with William Rufus King (who became Vice President under Franklin Pierce). The two men lived together for 13 years from 1840 until King's death in 1853. They attended events together and were both said to have "effeminate" manners. Contemporaries noted their close connection. Andrew Jackson dubbed them "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy." The two men's nieces destroyed most of their uncles' correspondence after their deaths.