THE CLIMAX, OR, WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: A ROMANCE OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. Boston: C. M. Clark Publishing Company, 1902. Octavo, pp. [1-12] 1-335 [336: blank] [337-347 ads] [348: blank], Inserted frontispiece with illustration by C. W. Reed, original decorated green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in light green and gold. First edition. Alternate history novel of the creation of a vast American empire encompassing all of North America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean in the early 1800s under the leadership of Aaron Burr. Burr is appointed head of the U.S. Army by President Jefferson. He and his generals fight a war with Spain and annex Mexico and Central America. In 1808 he is elected President of the United States. Gold is discovered in Colorado, Arizona and California. Thousands of people immigrate to America. By 1812 the naval might of the United States is second only to that of Great Britain, great public works are instituted, including the construction of the Panama Canal (completed in 1814), and slavery is abolished. The Constitution of the United States is amended, and in 1812 Burr is elected to a second term as President, this one for a period of eight years. Britain is defeated by the United States in a naval battle in the Caribbean and Jamaica and other Caribbean islands are given to the Blacks (later Mexico, Central America and the islands of the West Indies are formed into the African United States of America). President-General Burr invades Canada and takes Montreal and Quebec City. The British are defeated and General Andrew Jackson is made Governor-in-Chief of Canada. In 1820 Andrew Jackson is elected President and in 1828 he is followed by Zachary Taylor. In 1836 Henry Clay is elected President and in 1837 Burr's old enemy, Alexander Hamilton, dies, of apoplexy it is said. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978), Day (1963) or Reginald (1979; 1992). Smith, American Fiction, 1901-1925 P-391. Cloth lightly rubbed at spine ends, corner tips, and along outer joints, a touch of tanning to spine panel, top edge of pages a bit darkened, fore-edge of pages foxed, a very good copy. Actually, a nice copy of a book that does not age well. (#159445).
Price: $100.00
No statement of printing.