WINSOR’S LANDMARK HISTORY OF AMERICA
WINSOR, Justin, editor. The Narrative and Critical History of America. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, (1886-89). Eight volumes. Royal octavo, contemporary three-quarter dark brown morocco, raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges.
First edition of this monumental illustrated historical survey of the American continents, eight 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).
A handsome set in fine condition.