James Fenimore COOPER

Composite edition combining seven volumes from the very first collected edition with others from various reissues published between 1836 and 1852. Volumes 15 to 30 (1839-1852) each include an engraved title with a vignette and two illustrated plates; the earlier editions, covering volumes 1 to 15 (1830-1836) did not contain illustrations.

Half polished calf bindings in Restoration style. Smooth spines decorated with a central panel richly gilt in grotesque design, gilt and blind-tooled motifs at head and foot of spine, also ruled in gilt. Small tear to the spine-ends of volumes 5 and 9. Volumes 25 and 26 show some surface loss to the leather on the boards.

A handsome set.

First edition of the French translation by A. J. B. Defauconpret. Illustrated vi­gnette on the title page of each volume, with two illustrations in each volume (60 in total) by Louis Marckl after Noël Bertrand.
Green half shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands elaborately framed in gilt and blind, spine-ends stamped with a gilt rosette bearing cabbalistic signs, marbled paper boards, marbled endpa­pers and pastedowns, speckled edges, contemporary bindings.
Spines slightly lightened, some corners slightly dulled, more pronounced foxing on some volumes, a tear not affecting text to pp. 303-304 of vol. 2, a restored tear and a marginal lack of paper not af­fecting text to pp. 213-214 of vol. 5.

Autograph letter signed by James Fen­imore Cooper in French, bound in the first volume, written to Charles Goss­elin, publisher of his complete works.
Slight folds to the corners of the leaf, pencil and pen notes by a previous bib­liographer.

Handsomely bound set, exceptionally containing an autograph letter signed by the author to his publisher.