Books and Manuscripts

London: Henry G. Bohn, 1866. In two volumes. Deluxe issue of the tenth edition. 8vo. viii, 264; viii, 265, (1) pp. Illustrated with hand-colored engraved frontispiece in Vol. I and 180 numbered and magnificently hand-colored engraved plates throughout the set, including three maps (one folding), all by Catlin. Publisher's three-quarter red morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt, boards, joints, and extremities rubbed; all edges gilt; matching marbled endpapers; front hinges of Vol. I and II worn, rear hinge of Vol. II lightly worn; light to moderate foxing to text and plates. Howes C-241; Sabin 11537; Field 260; Wagner-Camp 84

A scarce and handsome set of this specially produced hand-colored issue of Catlin's celebrated work. First published by Catlin in 1841 with the title Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians, his work immediately went through many editions in many languages. By 1845 the rights were purchased by London publisher Henry G. Bohn, and he began issuing new editions with the altered title as above. Beginning with the fifth edition and continuing to the tenth, Bohn offered special hand-colored sets at ten guineas each, alongside the uncolored regular copies. Sabin notes that "Mr. Bohn had twelve or more copies colored after the fancy of the artist who did the work," while Howes indicates that only "a few copies of the L(ater) ed(ition)s...had pl(ate)s hand-col(ored)." Field further notes regarding the scarcity of this issue, writing that a "number of copies (often announced to have been but twelve) have the etchings colored. The first which were offered to the public were sold at a high price on account of the supposed rarity, but it is said that a large number of copies with colored etchings were found by Mr. Bohn in an out-house, and they have consequently become somewhat more common."