A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

New-York: Harper & Brothers, 1841. In two volumes. First edition. 8vo. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author John L. Stephens on third blank: "Henry Paul Beck from his friend the author"; further inscribed from Beck to his son below. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece, 68 engraved plates after sketches by Frederick Catherwood, one folding map, and a few in-text illustrations. Publisher's full dark blue morocco, stamped in blind and in gilt, spines rubbed; marbled edges, matching marbled endpapers; top of title-page of Volume II excised; scattered light foxing to text and plates; book-plate of Henry Paul Beck on front paste-down of each volume; book-plate of Hammond Museum Library in rear of each volume. Sabin 91297

John L. Stephens (1805-1852) was an American explorer and scholar who was pivotal in the emergence of Mesoamerican studies, as well as the planning of the Panama railroad. In 1839 he traveled to the ancient ruins of Copan, in present day Belize, with English artist Frederick Catherwood (1799-1854), and this is one of the two works they produced together, and it has become Stephens's most famous book.