Books and Manuscripts

Russell, William
The History of America, From its Discovery by Columbus to the Conclusion of the Late War…
London: Printed for Fielding and Walker, 1778. In two volumes. First edition. 4to. iv, 596; 629, (3) pp. (some pages misnumbered). Title-page of first volume printed in red and in black. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece by W. Walker after E. Edwards, 17 engraved maps (several folding), and 33 engraved plates of portraits and views. Full contemporary brown calf, red and brown morocco spine labels, stamped in gilt, front and rear joints of each volume rubbed and worn, boards and extremities rubbed and scratched, spine ends chipped, spines dry; all edges trimmed; marbled endpapers; light offsetting onto title-page of first volume; scattered light foxing to text, largely confined to margins in first volume; small loss in top corner of pp. 131/132, affecting pagination in first volume; contemporary signature at bottom of p. 265 in first volume; scattered light foxing to text and plates of second volume, heavier at pp. 104-110, pp. 541-550 and map of North America; bottom edge of map of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland worn. Howes R-539; Sabin 74383; Adams, The American Controversy 78-94a; Gephart 1026; ESTC T114880

Scarce and unsophisticated first edition of Scottish historian William Russell’s comprehensive history of the exploration, conquest, and settlement of the Americas, issued during the American Revolution. The first volume is devoted to Central and South America, while the second volume covers North America, with the second half containing a large Appendix detailing “The Rise of the Dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies,” covering from the French and Indian War to the Franco-American Treaty of Alliance. Illustrated with numerous engraved maps, plans, and views, as well as portraits of prominent explorers and notable individuals, including Benjamin Franklin, British General Henry Clinton, and a “fictitious” portrait of George Washington (Hart 740).