New York: Harper & Brothers, 1843. First edition. 2 volumes, 8vo (222 x 135 mm). 2 folding frontispieces, 1 folding map, approximately 120 engravings and numerous in-text illustrations by Frederick Catherwood, spotting throughout, offsetting, minor marginal dampstaining to vol. 1. Original decorative brown cloth gilt (rubbing, wear to spine ends. Ownership stamp of William H. Sweet (1819-1898), former mayor of Saginaw, Michigan. Sabin 91297.

FIRST EDITION. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan was the result of a chance meeting between travel writer John L. Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in London, during which the two discussed an account of the recent exploration of the Mayan ruins of Copan by Juan Galindo. Convinced that they could create a better account, the two decided to launch an expedition to Central America to document as many Mayan ruins as they could find, resulting in detailed descriptions and illustrations of 44 different sites. The first published account of their travels, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan was published in 1841 and was followed two years later by Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. Sabin 91297.