Wise, Jennings Cropper, THE LONG ARM OF LEE, OR THE HISTORY OF THE ARTILLERY OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE CONFEDERATE BUREAU OF ORDINANCE. Lynchburg,VA: J.P. Bell Company, 1915. First ed. 2 Volume set of red cloth hardcovers with gilt titling on spine, 8vo (9.25x6.375), both vols. fine/n.a., 496pp/ - 995pp.. No noticeable wear, a very slight bit of age toning, and 1.5" cracked lower front hinge on vol.2, no foxing, no bumping no rubbing, complete and nearly as new.

          "This basic source book was compiled and written by an astute lawyer and professor of Virginia Military Institute who was also a grandson of a governor of Virginia, Henry A. Wise.  Although several important narratives written by officers of artillery in Lee's army exist, Wise's book offers an enlightened survey of the organization, logistics, tactics, and equipment of this important branch of service.  A skilled artillerist himself, Wise supplemented his research by interviewing many old soldiers from Lee's army.  The result is a book that after 80 years still dominates others on this topic." - [Broadfoot, 1019, p.352]. 

Note:  This book, though designated a first edition, is a bit of a hybrid volume.  All points indicate that it is a 1915 1st ed. printed by J.P. Bell of Lynchburg, VA. However, there is a Barnes and Noble stamp at the base of the spine.  Barnes and Noble did not do business under that name until 1917.  That curious fact has vexed this author greatly.

The only reconciliation comes from Tom Broadfoot's, Civil War Books A Priced Checklist With Advice, in which he stated, "We purchased several hundred copies of this title unbound, as new, in the 70's and had them hardbound in various colors - thus fine bound by hand in cloth are yet common." [Broadfoot, p.494.]  If you can shed any light on this vexing pair of literary delight, please contact the owner of Captured Tyme Rare Books - quite the distinctive set of books indeed.