2 volumes, 8vo. Folding engraved frontispiece in each volume (outer margin to frontispiece in vol. II frayed), folding map in vol. I (short tear to fold), 64 plates, numerous text engravings (10 full-page) all after Frederick Catherwood. (A few pale spots, otherwise fine.) Original publisher's brown cloth gilt (some light wear to extremities). Provenance: O. Norcup (contemporary signature dated March 30 1843); K. E. H. (bookplate). 

 

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION of Stephens' second book on his exploration of the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan. He "provided accurate, detailed descriptions of the ruins, and he was the first to establish that the many Mayan sites were part of a single civilization that existed up to the time of the Spanish conquest and that the Indians were the direct descendants of that civilization" (ANB). A FINE COPY. Sabin 91299. 

 

Property from the Collection of Meredith Hill Kwiatkowski, Fort Collins, Colorado