Venable's A School History of the United States (1872)

This is a primary edition of 'A School History of the United States' by W.H. Venable, published on March 20, 1872, by Wilson, Hinkle & Co. as part of the Eclectic Educational Series. The book is bound in a deep reddish-brown or burgundy cloth over stiff boards, featuring elaborate blind-stamped and black-inked Victorian decorative motifs. The front cover displays a diagonal title banner and an American shield emblem, characteristic of 19th-century academic publishing. Despite its age, the volume is described in pristine condition, showing minimal corner bumping and remarkably preserved structural integrity. A unique and highly significant provenance element is the inclusion of handwritten family history notes inside, dating back to 1856, which adds immense genealogical value beyond the text. The craftsmanship reflects the high-quality industrial binding techniques of the post-Civil War era. The pages appear clean with expected age-toning, and the binding remains tight. This specific copy serves as both a historical educational artifact and a singular primary source document for the family mentioned in the inscriptions.