4 volumes, 4to. Over 300 plates, portraits, and maps (many in color). Contemporary half red morocco gilt, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettered in 2, the rest with central gilt Napoleonic tool, top edge gilt, others uncut (small chip with loss at foot of spine to vol.I, some minor wear, particularly to spine ends and corners). Provenance: unidentified bookplates removed from pastedowns.

FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM of Sloane's most popular work, "published originally in the form of a serial in the Century Magazine, beginning in November 1894, enlarged into four massive volumes in 1896...it was sumptuously illustrated and composed in a fashion to appeal to the general reader rather than the historical student" (DAB).