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1777 HISTORY OF AMERICA William Roberson FIRST EDITION (2 Vols) Maps
1777 HISTORY OF AMERICA William Roberson FIRST EDITION (2 Vols) Maps
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The History of America
By William Robertson
London: Printed for W. Strahan T. Cadell and W. Balfour, at Edinburgh. 1777. First Edition. Complete in 2 volumes, 4to, half-leather, Pentland goatskin with gilt spines, marble sides, spp. xvii, [7], 488; [4], 535, [1], [20, index and errata]; with four folding maps and one folding plate (of Aztec paintings, facing p. 482, volume II); the half-titles present.
First edition of this important work which from its first publication 'held its place as the standard history of the discovery of the New World until the 1840s. In it the views of sixteenth-century and later writers are synthesized clearly and cautiously, with due allowance for bias' (Honour). Robertson's 'vivid descriptions and philosophical disquisitions on aboriginal society captivated the literary world, while the outbreak of the American war rendered it more popular than either of its predecessors. Divided into eight books, it narrates the history of the discovery of America and of the conquest of Mexico and Peru.
The maps apparently are not always present – the Hill copy, which does not have them, includes a note, signed by T. Cadell, to the purchaser of the history, entitling him to four maps that were intended for the books, but were not finished in time. A third volume was published after the author's death in 1796.
CONDITION
A good first edition handsomely rebound. The bindings are good without damage. Green endpapers good. All contents present including the four folding maps and the folding 'Aztec' plate. Pages good throughout and free from foxings, stains etc. All folding maps present and in good order. Overall a good first edition.
By William Robertson
London: Printed for W. Strahan T. Cadell and W. Balfour, at Edinburgh. 1777. First Edition. Complete in 2 volumes, 4to, half-leather, Pentland goatskin with gilt spines, marble sides, spp. xvii, [7], 488; [4], 535, [1], [20, index and errata]; with four folding maps and one folding plate (of Aztec paintings, facing p. 482, volume II); the half-titles present.
First edition of this important work which from its first publication 'held its place as the standard history of the discovery of the New World until the 1840s. In it the views of sixteenth-century and later writers are synthesized clearly and cautiously, with due allowance for bias' (Honour). Robertson's 'vivid descriptions and philosophical disquisitions on aboriginal society captivated the literary world, while the outbreak of the American war rendered it more popular than either of its predecessors. Divided into eight books, it narrates the history of the discovery of America and of the conquest of Mexico and Peru.
The maps apparently are not always present – the Hill copy, which does not have them, includes a note, signed by T. Cadell, to the purchaser of the history, entitling him to four maps that were intended for the books, but were not finished in time. A third volume was published after the author's death in 1796.
CONDITION
A good first edition handsomely rebound. The bindings are good without damage. Green endpapers good. All contents present including the four folding maps and the folding 'Aztec' plate. Pages good throughout and free from foxings, stains etc. All folding maps present and in good order. Overall a good first edition.
(Loc: Platform; Speaker shelf))
