SMITH, William (1728-1793). The History Of the Province of New-York, from the First Discovery to the Year M.DCC.XXXII. To which is annexed, A Description of the Country, with a short Account of the Inhabitants, their Trade, Religious and Political State, and the Constitution of the Courts of Justice of that Colony. London: printed for William Wilcox, 1757.

4to (252 x 189 mm). Copper engraved folding plate "The South View of Oswego on Lake Ontario." (Short marginal tear to folding plate, some very slight browning.) 20th century blue panelled morocco gilt, spien in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettered in 2, the rest gilt-decorated, edges gilt, STAMP-SIGNED BY THE CLUB BINDERY (very minor rubbing to extremities). Provenance: Edwin B. Holden (1861-1906), early member of The Grolier Club (bookplate).

FIRST EDITION OF "THE FIRST AND CLASSIC HISTORY OF NEW YORK" (Streeter). Smith's based his work "chiefly on the Provincial Laws, the Minutes of the Council, the Journals of the General Assembly and other government records. He also acknowledges his indebtedness to Colden's History of the Five Indian nations, and to Charlevoix. The history proper covers pp. 1-180, while a description of the province, geographical, political, etc., forms pp. 181-255" (Sabin). Church 1023; Howes S703; Sabin 84566.

THE EDWIN B. HOLDEN COPY IN A FINE CLUB BINDING.