Remarkable Periodical with Broad Coverage of Scientific, Literary and Texas Affairs

"The Corsair. A Gazette of Literature, Art, Dramatic Criticism, Fashion and Novelty",

This quarto volume contains 51 (of 52) weekly issues of The Corsair, covering the period from March 16, 1839 to February 29, 1840 (lacking the final number). This was the only volume published of this remarkable short-lived weekly newspaper that covered a wide range of cutting-edge scientific and literary topics including:

Very early articles on the invention of photography, including an article in the April 13, 1839 issue (p. 71) that was “one of the first texts of length appearing in the American press” according to the Ewer list of texts of the daguerreotype process (printout included with volume); “The Daguerreotype” (p. 619); Morse’s impressive products (p. 794); “Photogenic War” (p. 809).

Earliest Appearances of William Makepeace Thackeray in America, with 9 articles by W.M. Thackeray: August 24, September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 19, 26, December 28, and January 18 according to the Henneman Bibliography (The Complete Works of W.M. Thackeray, NY: Riverdale Press, 1905). The editor of the magazine (Willis) met Thackeray on a trip to Europe and persuaded him to contribute to the new periodical.

Origin of the Mormon Bible (p. 120) and other Mormon updates.

Review of Audubon’s “splendid pictures” (p. 521).

Review of Poe’s Tales (p. 653).

Announcement of first commercial telegraph in Britain (p. 462).

Announcement of an “atmospheric railroad” using a vacuum (p. 235).

Experiment with lower postage rates showing lower costs generated greater usage (p. 252).

Numerous articles on Texas, including her prospects (p. 447), and a pending attack by Mexico (p. 283).

Amistad update (p. 71).

Hardbound in quarter calf with tips over marbled boards.

References:

Condition: C+

Covers are detached and the spine has perished. Disbound contents have light toning, minor foxing, and occasional dampstains along the gutter. There are occasional small tears, several loose signatures, and a few missing pages.