WINSOR’S LANDMARK HISTORY OF AMERICA

WINSOR, Justin, editor. The Narrative and Critical History of America. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, (1889). Eight volumes bound in 16. Royal octavo, contemporary three-quarter black pebbled morocco, raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges, top edges gilt. $3800.

Early edition of this monumental illustrated historical survey of the American continents, 16 large volumes in handsome publisher’s morocco.

This copiously illustrated work is composed of numerous in-depth essays by leading historians of the day, including Winsor himself. It is particularly valuable for its inclusion of the text of early documents and other primary sources, a number of which are illustrated in facsimile. Winsor’s contributions are notable for his close attention to the evolving cartography of North America; “[Winsor] rapidly became the leading cartographer in the United States, and through his study of maps solved a number of historical problems which had previously been insoluble” (DAB). “If competently revised and brought more nearly to date, would be the most useful single work on the Western hemisphere, its history, cartography, and bibliography” (Howes W578). First issued in smaller octavo format from 1884 to 1889.

Slight rubbing to extremities. A near-fine, handsome set.