Földvári Books

An Early Poem on the Revolutionary War

Chavannes de la Giraudière, L. de.

L'Amérique délivrée, Esquisse d'un poëme sur l'Indépendance de l’Amerique. […].

Amsterdam: Chez J. A. Crajenschot, MDCCLXXXIII [1783]. First edition of this monumental epic poem on the American Revolutionary War. In contemporary calf, spine gilt, red title vignette, gilt turn-ins. Two volumes, bound into one, paged continuously. Tinted edges. Marbled endpapers. Engraved title pages, with an allegorical image of America (Giraud le jeune, 1782; Binet). [2 (half-title, verso blank)] [2 (engraved title page, verso blank)] [5] viii–xxiv [1]–292 [2 (half-title, verso blank)] [2 (engraved title page, verso blank)] [1] 292–726 p. Errata not presented. In fine condition.

A strongly anti-English poem by L. de Chavannes de la Giraudière commemorates how America is liberated from its chains of servitude under Britain. The title is an apparent allusion to Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered, and the poem — dedicated to John Adams — is expansively annotated by the author. Although the poet is almost unknown, he left some traces in the papers of the Founding Fathers. George Washington owned a copy of the book which was sent him by the publisher. (To George Washington from J.A. Crajenschot, 25 August 1783) And in a letter to John Adams, Antoine Marie Cerisier mentions that “Mr. De Chavannes came and asked me to tell you that his poem is almost ready to be printed, and would you like him to send it over before dedicating it to you? Although the actual poetry is rather careless in many places and the work lacks the unities of action, time, and place required by the masters of this art, it does contain some excellent tirades, and America and its minister play a most glorious role”. (To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 26 February 1783.) A receipt proves that later Adams paid six ducats to Chavannes through Cerisier (see note 5.). Rare on the market, no copies in the RBH within the last 40 years. Literature: “To George Washington from J.A. Crajenschot, 25 August 1783,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-11738; “To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 26 February 1783,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-14-02-0195. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 14, October 1782–May 1783, ed. Gregg L. Lint, C. James Taylor, Hobson Woodward, Margaret A. Hogan, Mary T. Claffey, Sara B. Sikes, and Judith S. Graham. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2008, pp. 296–301.] Sabin 1290 [erroneously dated 1773], 38759.

Price: €7,000.00