History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Preliminary View of the Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the Life of the Conqueror, Hernando Cortés. by PRESCOTT, William H - 1843

London, Swan Sonnenschein & Co. ,. New and Revised Edition: Dark blue cloth binding with gilt lettering to spine, hardback, 8.75 x 5.75 inches approx. , a tiny scuff to front corner, generally smart bright and clean, black endpapers, hand written dedication in ink to front endpaper, flamboyant style reading something like 'To my dear friend R Richard Esq with assurances of highest regards. Hoping he will enjoy a trip through Mexico as did the donor' followed by a lavish signature ----------rgussan (possibly Fergusson) , dated 10./8/98: pagination, xxiv, followed by a black and white map, 713 pages including index. .

London: The Folio Society, 1996. Hardcover. Fine. London, The Folio Society, 1996 (second printing)/ 1994 (first thus). Large octavo, xxx, 723 pages plus numerous plates (some in colour) and endpaper maps. Gilt-pictorial cloth; a fine copy in the lightly rubbed slipcase. Introduction by Felipe Fernández-Arnesto.

Philadelphia: David McKay Three volumes, complete. Half tan calf leather (hardcover), over marbled paper boards, black morocco title labels, gilt titles and decorative gilt compartments, marbled endpapers, t.e.g., (7.75 x 5.25 inches). ND (circa 1890's). 430, 402, 448 pages, with Index and publisher's adverts at rear; illustrated with tissue-protected frontispieces and maps. A detailed account of European explorers in Mexico and Peru. Showing some light general wear to exterior, internally clean and tight, a handsomely leather bound set with strong shelf presence. Size: Octavo. Leather. Very Good.

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1847. 8th Edition. 3 vols. (xxxiv, 433; xviii, 480; xv, 524p.), b/w front. and maps, original embossed brown cloth (lightly rubbed on the edges), bit of scattered foxing.

New York: Harper and Bros, 1843. Very good condition, almost no foxing, previous owners signature blanks and title page. (Weak hinge on volume I).. frontis., map, ind. Apparently first reprinting. See Sabin 65262.

Paris: Baudry's European Library, No. 3, Quai Malaquais, 1844. First French edition. From Baudry's Collection of ancient and western British Authors Nos. 395 to397. Frontispiece portraits, signature facsimile, 2 folding maps. 3 vols. 8vo. Quarter contemporary morocco and patterned floral blind-stamped boards. Very good. Bookplaye of James Torr Harmer. First French edition. From Baudry's Collection of ancient and western British Authors Nos. 395 to397. Frontispiece portraits, signature facsimile, 2 folding maps. 3 vols. 8vo. Sabin 65262

New York: Harper And Brothers, 1847. 3 Volumes. 8vo. pp. xxxiv, 488; xviii, 480; xvii, 524. with half-titles. 3 engraved frontis. portraits, 2 double-page engraved maps, & 1 engraved facsimile. original blind-stamped cloth (spine ends & corners frayed, some foxing to plates & neighbouring leaves, else very good tight copies)

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1843. First American edition. Frontispiece portraits, signature facsimile, maps. 3 vols. 8vo. Original blind-stamped brown cloth, gilt lettering on spine. Fine in leather tipped black cloth slipcases with chemises. Bookplate of Blairhame. First American edition. Frontispiece portraits, signature facsimile, maps. 3 vols. 8vo. Fine First American Edition of The Classic. William Hickling Prescott was an American historian and Hispanist who specialized in Late Renaissance Spain and the early Spanish Empire. His work has had great impact on the study of both Spain and of Mesoamerica. He was known as an exhaustive, careful, and systematic historian with a lively writing style. In this book, the History of the Conquest of Mexico, Prescott worked largely from primary sources to describe the Aztec civilization, having rejected most secondary sources as being too biased. He also notably rejected the popular supposition that pre-Columbian civilizations were non-indigenous.… Read More