A very finely preserved first subscription only edition of Pollard's influential "Lost Cause" text in an original and attractively preserved half leather binding. 

"The foundational Lost Cause text!"

Pollard was, in fact, the original architect of what today has become known as the "lost cause" mythology. In this work, written in the immediate aftermath of the Confederate defeat, he attempts to galvanize Southern support around what are now viewed as the most controversial elements of prevailing Southern social ethic. Pollard argues for the relegation of blacks to a second-class status on both biological and theological bases; articulates slavery as a core part of Southern identity; and is critical of Southern leadership for having capitulated to the North. 

It's scope, size, and original cost and popularity demonstrate just how widespread the views were. Pollard apparently took great pride that he had found a sympathetic publisher in the North. It would be worth exploring how this impacted E. B. Treat, a respected, if popular, "subscription" publisher of the day. Includes a recommendatory notice by General Robert E. Lee. This just seems fool-hardy for a northern publisher. 

One of the finest examples extant, with "lost cause" emblem tooling in compartments. An inferior bound copy with no significant provenance just fetched double our price at auction. 

Pollard, Edward A. of Virginia. The Lost Cause; A New Southern History of the War of the Confederates. Comprising a Full and Authentic Account of the Rise and Progress of the Late Southern Confederacy - The Campaigns, Battles, Incidents, and Adventures of the most Gigantic Struggle of the World's History. Drawn from Official Sources, and Approved by the Most Distinguished Confederate Leaders.With Numerous Splendid Steel Portraits. Sold Only by Subscription. New York. E. B. Treat & Co. 1866. 752pp. 

Very good in original half leather with marbled boards and corresponding marbled text lock. Raised bands. Some rubbing at extremities. Very crisp, solid and clean with only the slightest sporadic foxing.