A Star in the West;

or, A Humble Attempt to Discover the long lost Ten Tribes of Israel, Preparatory to their Return to their Beloved City, Jerusalem

by Elias Boudinot 

First edition.  Trenton, NJ:  D. Fenton, S. Hutchinson, and J. Dunham, 1816 

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

• Covers half leatherbound in burgundy morocco with marbled boards. 
• Boards show some wear, scuffing, edgewear.  Corners are scuffed, worn, with exposed board.  See photos.  
• Spine has gilt text and is bright with frayed ends, splitting to shoulders at head end.  See photos.  
• Binding is secure. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some staining, writing, owner's marks.
• Frontispiece is present and has intact tissue guard.
• Head edge of title page is repaired where a strip was removed.  See photos.
• Interior is tanned, exhibits staining, page corners turned in at pp. viii-ix, 95, 261.  See photos.  
• Inside pages have some penciled marginalia.
• Text block edges have owner's name on fore edge. 
• PS2025.0320

312 pages. 4.75 x 8 inches

First Edition copy of this work of biblical-ethnographic history from the Early Republic years of the United States.  Copyright established in New Jersey "in the fortieth year of the Independence of the United States of America."  Authored by Elias Boudinot (1740-1821), founding father, Trustee of Princeton University, and Director of the U.S. Mint from 1795-1805.  

Text block is secure, tanned throughout.  Several ownership hands visible, with notes on the text at back pastedown and fep.  The frontis is a portrait of Boudinot painted by Waldo & Jewett, engraved by J.W. Paradise; foxing to the page does not detract from the quality of the image.

The text presents Boudinot's attempt to prove that the North American Indians were descended from the Jews.  It was a particularly influential work, popularizing the standard arguments of the day in favor of Hebrew origins for Native Americans.  At the same time, Boudinot presented information on Native American life.  The text includes Indian-Hebrew language tables, traditions, customs, religious beliefs, and ceremonies.

The name Joseph J. Ely appears in several places.  

First Edition.  Published in Trenton NJ by D. Fenton, S. Hutchinson, and J. Dunham.  Printed by George Sherman.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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