Kendall, George Wilkins (1809-1867) & Carl Nebel (1805-1855) The War Between the United States and Mexico Illustrated. New York & Philadelphia: Plon Brothers of Paris for Appleton, 1851. First and only edition, folio, illustrated with twelve hand-colored lithographs, heightened with gum arabic, all on cloth guards, contemporary half morocco, green buckram boards, contemporary paper label on front board, 21 1/2 x 16 1/2 in.
This firsthand report of battles and events related to the Mexican-American War records the important incidents of America's first offensive war by our first war correspondent. Kendall was imbedded (before such a concept found its name) with the Texas Rangers, and then the Scott expedition. The German artist Carl Nebel executed the original paintings, and the lithographs have been rendered in full color, capturing the spirit and drama of the conflict.
The plates were produced in Paris in order to obtain the best results possible. This edition may be rare because few copies were originally printed, and some were destroyed in a fire at the Picayune. (See Tom Mahoney, "Our First Great War Correspondent", published in The American Legion Magazine, Volume 79, No. 6, December 1965.)
Plate listing: Battle of Palo-Alto; Capture of Monterey; Battle of Buena Vista; Bombardment of Vera-Cruz; Battle of Cero Gordo; Assault of Contreras; Battle of Churubusco; Molino del Rey-- Attack upon the Molino; Molino del Rey-- Attack upon the Casamata; Storming of Chapultepec-- Pillow's Attack; Storming of Chapultepec-- Quitman's Attack; and Gen. Scott's Entrance into Mexico.
Provenance: The Estate of David Spinney.
Estimate $10,000-15,000
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