Updated on January 10: This book has been sold.
The full title: A HISTORY OF NEW YORK, From the BEGINNING OF THE WORLD To the END OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY. Containing, Among many surprising and Curious Matters, THE UNUTTERABLE PONDERINGS OF WALTER THE DOUBTER, THE DISASTROUS PROJECTS OF WILLIAM THE TESTY, AND THE CHIVALRIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG, The three Dutch Governors of New-Amsterdam; Being THE ONLY AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE TIMES That ever hath been published.
By Diedrich Knickerbocker and published in London in 1828. 312 pp.
It was later revealed that the real author was Washington Irving.
The story behind the initial publication is fascinating. Here’s the write up from Wikipedia:
"Before its publication, Irving started a hoax by placing a series of missing person advertisements in New York newspapers seeking information on Diedrich Knickerbocker, a Dutch historian who had allegedly gone missing from his hotel in New York City. As part of this guerilla marketing ruse he placed a notice from the hotel's proprietor informing readers that if Mr. Knickerbocker failed to return to the hotel to pay his bill he would publish a manuscript that Knickerbocker had left behind.
"Unsuspecting readers followed the story of Knickerbocker and his manuscript with interest, and some New York city officials were concerned enough about the missing historian to offer a reward for his safe return. Irving then published A History of New York on December 6, 1809, under the Knickerbocker pseudonym, with immediate critical and popular success. . . .The name Diedrich Knickerbocker became a nickname for Manhattan residents in general and was adopted by the New York Knickerbockers basketball team."
The book we have is in good condition, though it’s been rebound or covered in a way that isn’t the typical work of a bookbinder. That being said, it does protect the book and the binding and pages are fairly tight.
The book contains this inscription in Dutch . . .
"De waarheid die in duister lag,.
Die komt met klaarheid aan den dag"
. . . translates to . . .
"The truth that lay in darkness,
That comes to light with clarity"
Size: 4" x 6.5"
Shipping: $10. Please allow two weeks for shipping.
