Bidspirit auction | McCabe, James D. A Tour

McCabe, James D. A Tour Around the World by General Grant. Jones Brothers & Co., 1879. First Edition. - This work is a first edition of James D. McCabe's account of Ulysses S. Grant's post-presidency world tour, which took place between 1877 and 1879. The volume is an octavo bound in the publisher's original green pictorial cloth. The front cover and spine feature elaborate decorative stamping in gilt and black, depicting a globe, pyramids, a pagoda, and tropical foliage. The rear board repeats the design stamped in black only. The title page identifies James D. McCabe as the editor and compiler, drawing from ”the most authentic sources.” The text provides a narrative of Grant's travels through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Great Britain, Egypt, India, China, and Japan. The work is embellished with nearly 200 wood-engraved illustrations and portraits. Internal evidence includes engravings of General Grant dining with the Prince Regent of China, Grant's presentation to Queen Victoria, and various cultural scenes such as a Japanese theater and a Chinese nobleman. The rear of the volume contains publisher's advertisements, including a full-page circular for ”Sexual Science” by Prof. O.S. Fowler. The copyright is held by J.R. Jones, dated 1879. The binding shows significant wear consistent with age and use. There is visible cloth loss and fraying at the head and tail of the spine, and the corners are bumped and worn through to the boards. The green cloth exhibits general fading and light soiling. Internally, the title page has a large and prominent water stain (tide mark) extending from the top edge into the center. The text block shows scattered foxing and age-toning throughout. The rear hinge appears to have been reinforced with tape at the advertisement page.