“THE STANDARD HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD”: 1777 FIRST EDITION OF ROBERTSON’S AMERICA, WITH FOUR FOLDING MAPS

ROBERTSON, William. The History of America. Printed for W. Strahan, T. Cadell, J. Balfour, 1777. Two volumes. Quarto, 19th-century full diced brown calf rebacked with original spines laid down, raised bands. $4200.

First edition of this important history of America—"often regarded as Robertson's most interesting, original, and even Romantic work"—with four large engraved folding maps by Thomas Kitchin.

Robertson's history of the discovery of America and the conquest of Mexico and Peru was the "most highly regarded secondary source of its time" (Howes, 493). From its publication until the 1840s it "held its place as the standard history of the discovery of the New World" (Honour). "The History of America was published… to a very positive reception. Its success was even more marked on the continent, where it was considered Robertson's masterpiece… The book's structure marked another departure for Robertson, as he alternated chapters of narrative concerning the Spanish conquest with chapters of description of Native American culture and society. With its dramatic sweep of narrative, combined with a provocative confrontation of two very different stages of civilization and a prose that was more flexible and evocative than that of his earlier books, the History of America is often regarded as Robertson's most interesting, original, and even Romantic work" (ODNB). Kitchin's maps "show a fine technical facility, the lettering and decoration from his workshop among the most impressive of all English rococo work" (DNB). Sabin 71973. Howes R358.

Occasional light foxing, light expert restoration to boards. An extremely good copy.