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Federal Books

FEDERAL STYLE

Following the Revolutionary War, the American republic referenced the Roman Republic in its designs to celebrate its independence and declare itself a powerful new country. Imbued with neoclassical elements like those being promoted by architect Robert Adam in Great Britain, antique Federal-style furniture was the first distinctly American style in its melding of ancient influences, European aesthetics and national pride.

Dating roughly from 1790 to 1830, the style featured angular furniture with saber legs and smooth surfaces that contrasted with the curvy Rococo style that was previously in fashion. Eagles were common ornamental motifs on Federal-period furniture, as were cornucopia, lyres, garlands and scrolls, adding subtle flair to pieces characterized by clean lines, geometric symmetry, balanced shapes and a sense of grandeur.

Instead of sculptural carvings, authentic Federal-style furniture was adorned with inlays and patterned veneers that showcased the rich character of different grains and types of wood. As social life tended to be informal in the young country, furniture was often lightweight, so it could be easily rearranged in a drawing room or bedroom. Pieces like dining tables with drop leaves and sideboards became popular, replacing larger chests of drawers.

The Federal style varied by region: Artisans in Charleston, South Carolina, decorated chairs with carved backs, for instance, while those in Baltimore, Maryland, preferred painted details. Its major proponents included father-and-son cabinetmakers John and Thomas Seymour in Boston, Duncan Phyfe and Charles-Honoré Lannuier in New York and Samuel McIntire in Salem, Massachusetts.

Find antique Federal tables, mirrors, storage cabinets and other Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

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Style: Federal
The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, with His Life, Written by Himself, 1835
By Benjamin Franklin
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Franklin, Benjamin. The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Consisting of Essays, Humorous, Moral, and Literary, with His Life, Written by Himself. Exeter: J & B Williams, 1835. In origi...
Category

1830s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

An Interesting Account of the Voyages and Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Fisher, William. An Interesting Account of the Voyages and Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke, in the Years 1804-5, & 6... Baltimore: P. Mauro, 1813. 12mo. Illustrated. Rebound in...
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

The Life of George Washington by Jared Sparks, Later Printing, 1854
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Sparks, Jared. The Life of George Washington. Auburn and Buffalo: Miller Orton & Mulligan, 1854. Later printing. Two volumes in one. Octavo. Rebound in 1/4 brown leather and cloth boards, with gilt titles, tooling, and raised bands. New archival cloth slipcase. Presented is a later edition of Jared Sparks’ esteemed biography, The Life of George Washington. First published in 1839, Sparks’ The Life of George Washington is one of the earliest and most intimate biographies of our first President. This printing was published in Auburn and Buffalo by Miller Orton & Mulligan, in 1854. Impressively detailed, the biography is embellished with 14 engraved plates of portraits, views, and battle plans...
Category

1850s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by N. Dwight, 1860
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dwight, Nathaniel. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. Later printing. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ leather and cloth boards, wi...
Category

1860s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

The Pennsylvania Journal and The Weekly Advertiser, Issued June 16, 1787
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an June 16, 1787 issue of Philadelphia's "The Pennsylvania Journal, and The Weekly Advertiser," containing coverage of the Constitutional Convention. The magazine period...
Category

1780s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin, With Essays, in Two Volumes, 1796
By Benjamin Franklin
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Franklin, Benjamin. Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin, Consisting of His Life Written by Himself together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary, Chiefly in the Manner of t...
Category

1790s English Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

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The Lives of Artists Collected Profiles by Calvin Tomkins
Located in New York, NY
The definitive collection of artist profiles by legendary journalist and New Yorker writer Calvin Tomkins, from the 1960s to today In 1959, Calvin Tomkins interviewed Marcel Duchamp for Newsweek, beginning his six decade- long career writing about art. He then joined The New Yorker, where he has contributed dozens of profiles on the most interesting artists of the time, from Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg to Cindy Sherman and Mark Bradford. This six-volume set includes 82 of Tomkins's most significant profiles dating from 1962-2019. Part art history, part human interest, Tomkins offers insights and observations about the artists, their work, and the ever-changing art world they inhabit. Calvin Tomkins has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1960. He has written more than a dozen books, including The Bride and the Bachelors, Merchants and Masterpieces, Living Well Is the Best Revenge, Off the Wall, Duchamp: A Biography, and Lives of the Artists...
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21st Century and Contemporary European Federal Books

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Van Gogh His Life and Works in 500 Images Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Van Gogh: His Life and Works in 500 Images Book by Michael Howard and Vincent van Gogh. "Contains a detailed exploration of Van Gogh's life, including his background, early career,...
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20th Century Dutch Federal Books

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The Works of Shakespeare Complete in Seven Leatherbound Volumes
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Works of Shakespeare Complete in 7 duodecimo 3/4 leather bound volumes with marbleized boards and end papers, top edges gilt. A charming set in attractive original condition. Fro...
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Early 20th Century American Federal Books

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Novels 'Works & Letters' of Jane Austen, Winchester Edition, 12 Volumes
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: AUSTEN, Jane. Title: The Novels (Works and Letters) of Jane Austen. Publisher: Edinburgh: John Grant, 1911-12. Description: The Winchester...
Category

1910s British Vintage Federal Books

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New Life for the Noble Tree: Masterworks by George Nakashima 'Sotheby's'
Located in New York, NY
Catalog of a sale held at Sotheby’s, New York, on December 15, 2006, showcasing the Arthur and Evelyn Krosnick collection of George Nakashima furniture and lighting, or actually the second collection, as the first—112 pieces-- was completely destroyed by fire in 1989. George Nakashima essentially stopped what he was doing and focused on rebuilding the collection replacing the lost items with what he deemed better examples, owing to his own technical and artistic maturation, though many were completed under the guidance of his daughter, Mira, after George passed away in 1990. Highlights include an important “Arlyn” table, lot 313, that fetched $822,000 (a record for the artist) on a pre-sale estimate of $300,000-$500,000; a superb “Minguren II” table that brought $180,000; a magnificent “Arlyn II” coffee table that sold for $204,000; and a set of eight Conoid chairs that sold for $96,000. The catalog of the Krosnick sale remains a touchstone for collectors interested in the work of George Nakashima. 103 pages with 85 lots, mostly with full color illustrations, printed wrappers. Price results...
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Early 2000s American Federal Books

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1847 The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France
By William James (Author)
Located in Bath, GB
A beautiful edition of naval historian William James's detailed and richly illustrated history of the Royal Navy. A 'New Edition' of naval historian William James's impressive work,...
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1840s British Antique Federal Books

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Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Mira Nakashima’s tribute to her father, George, whose standing as one of America’s foremost designer/craftsmen is reflected in his blue-chip status in the vintage de...
Category

Early 2000s American Federal Books

Materials

Paper

10 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, Complete Works
Located in New York, NY
10 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, Complete Works. Knickerbocker Edition. Bound in 3/4 red calf with marbled boards. Covers and raised band spines are gilt-tooled. Top edges gilt. Marbled en...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather

10 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, Complete Works
10 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, Complete Works
$2,250 / set
H 7.25 in W 5.25 in D 1 in
Very Attractive Antique Map of the World as Planisphere, Shows Cook's Voyages
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Chart of the World, according to Mercators Projection'. This world map shows the various discoveries of Captain James Cook during his 3 voyages between 1768 and 1780, and the English and French Explorers who followed immediately thereafter, including Vancouver and La Perouse. This edition of the map is significantly revised from the editions issued immediately after the official report of Cook's Voyages were integrated into the map, showing better detail in New Zealand, Australia, the Northwest Coast of America and North East coast of Asia, along with Greenland. A new large lake also appears for the first time in the Western part of North America, shortly before the commencement of the Lewis...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Federal Books

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Paper

Very Attractive Antique Map of the World as Planisphere, Shows Cook's Voyages
Very Attractive Antique Map of the World as Planisphere, Shows Cook's Voyages
$1,326 Sale Price
25% Off
H 16.15 in W 20.08 in D 0.02 in
The National Gallery of Art Washington by John Walker
Located in Bradenton, FL
The National Gallery of Art Washington by John Walker. Large hardcover coffee table book with dustjacket. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York. Printed in Japan, 1120 illus...
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Late 20th Century Japanese Federal Books

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1903 The Works of Arthur Conan Doyle
Located in Bath, GB
A limited edition set of the collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, an illustrated set signed by Conan Doyle. A limited edition of one-thousand copies, of which this is numbered...
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Early 1900s British Antique Federal Books

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Paper

1903 The Works of Arthur Conan Doyle
1903 The Works of Arthur Conan Doyle
$7,438
H 8.5 in W 20 in D 6 in
1909-1910 The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser in Three Volumes
Located in Bath, GB
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Previously Available Items
Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States, 1812
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States. Springfield: Thomas Dickman for the Washington Benevolent Society, 1812. In original hardcover boards with brown lea...
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1810s American Antique Federal Books

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Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington, 1800
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Paine, Thomas, et al. Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington, First President of the United States of America. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1800. First...
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Early 1800s American Antique Federal Books

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A Sermon Preached Before John Hancock, etc. by Samuel Cooper, 1st Edition, 1780
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Cooper, Samuel. A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq; Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Oc...
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1780s American Antique Federal Books

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The Federalist, on the New Constitution by Publius, Second Edition, 2 Vols, 1802
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist, on the New Constitution. By Publius. Written in 1788. To Which is Added, Pacificus, on the Proclamation of Neutralit...
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Washington at Valley Forge Bookends by G. S. Allen, Circa 1925
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a vintage set of Washington at Valley Forge bookends. The bookends were made by the American maker G.S. Allen. The bookends are in the style of the famous oil painting by ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Federal Books

Materials

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Mental Museum for the Rising Generation, by Jesse Torrey Jr., 1829
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Torrey, Jr. Jesse. A Mental Museum for the Rising Generation. With an Appendix, Containing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the First Free Circulating Library &c. : Designed for the Middle Classes of Readers in American Schools and Families. Adapted to American Customs and Manners, and Proposed as a Substitute for Foreign Compilations Or Reading Lessons. Philadelphia: Thomas Desilver, 1829. 16mo. In original gilt stamped leather and paper boards with a new archival slipcase. This is a first edition printing of Jesse Torrey Jr.’s "A Mental Museum for the Rising Generation." Published in Philadelphia by Thomas Desilver in 1829, this beautiful book is presented in its original gilt stamped leather and paper boards. Divided into three sections, this book was “designed for the middle classes of Readers in American Schools and Families.” Collectors will appreciate this prime example of early childhood educational text, as well as consider it for its Appendix, which includes very early printings of "The Declaration of Independence," "The Constitution of the United States," and the "Constitution of the First Free Circulating Library." "A Mental Museum for the Rising Generation" was one of several books written by Torrey to entertain, instruct, and edify children and young adults. The book is divided into three parts, as indicated on the title page, “PART I - Familiar conversations on Natural History and the Universe, Reflections on Providence, etc. Part II - Lessons calculated to excite a taste for Reading and Mental Improvement - on Industry, Economy, Preservation of Health, etc. Part III - Various Instructive and Entertaining Articles and Poetry.” The Appendix contains a very early printing of "The Declaration of Independence" and the "Constitution of the United States", as well as the "Constitution of the First Free Circulating Library." Jesse Torrey, Jr., (1787 – 1834) was an American physician, writer, and ardent advocate for abolition, the American education system, and free public libraries. Torrey is most celebrated as an abolitionist who gathered first-hand narratives of African Americans and eye-witness accounts by white observers of slavery and kidnapping. He published these, along with his personal observations, in an early 1817 anti-slavery book, "A Portraiture of Slavery in the United States." Torrey also wrote juvenile guides to moral philosophy, natural history and government. Torrey argued that young readers were important to the early American imagination of its populace, both in terms of the reading public and the broader national community of citizens. He believed that children were not merely witnesses to American history and governance, but rather young reading practices played a crucial role in establishing a free, educated, and engaged populace. To this end, Torrey was the founder of the free public library movement in the United States. In 1804, at the age of 16, he established the Library of the “New Lebanon...
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1820s American Antique Federal Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

Jeffersons Notes on the State of Virginia 2nd Edition, Important Book
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a hugely important, hugely historic and extremely rare book. This is an original 'Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia Second Edition , Philadelphia, Print...
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Federal books for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal books for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage books created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal books made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original books, popular names associated with this style include and Charles-Honoré Lannuier. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for books differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $750 while the average work can sell for $405.

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