The History of North and South America

From its Discovery, to the Death of General Washington

by Richard Snowden, Esq. 

Second edition.  Philadelphia:  Jacob Johnson, 1806  

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

• Contemporary leather covers have red spine label with gilt.   
• Boards show some wear at shoulders, smudges, aging, scuffing, edgewear.  Corners are bumped, scuffed,  with exposed board.  See photos.
• Spine has red label with gilt text and is heavily abraded with bumped chipped ends.  See photos.  
• Binding is secure. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some foxing, staining, wear to edges, writing, owner's marks, one fep missing.  See photos.  
• Foldout maps are present, with some repairs at folds, irregular margins.  See photos.  
• Interior is toned, exhibits foxing throughout, light edgewear.  Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges are foxed. 
• PS2025.0219

196 + 166 pages. 4 x 6 5/8 inches

A complete copy, bound in contemporary calf, with the two fold-out maps, of this History of the Americas by Richard Snowden (1753-1825).  Intended to be a "cheap History of America, from its discovery, to its present state of civilization and importance," readily available to a widespread reading audience, it nevertheless made use of the foremost authorities of the turn of the 19th century.  

Scarce in commerce, the second edition of Snowden's History of the Americas provides background on Columbus and the early European explorers, and gives a history of the Western Hemisphere up through the American Revolution.  Leaves show the usual darkening and some foxing, with an 1819 owner's inscription on the title page.  Two volumes bound in one.   

The fold-out map of North America is taken "from Arrowsmiths Large Map."  Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823) founded one of the leading London map publishing houses in the early part of the nineteenth century.  His role in cartographic production was to gather the best information available from a wide variety of sources, weigh the relative merits of conflicting data, and compile from this the most accurate depiction possible of an area.

The map of South America, bound in between Volume 1 and 2 of the text, was engraved by Wm. Kneass after authorities Olmadilla and Malespina.  First published ca. 1800, it has been described as an "ambitious small map," generally very accurate, with its depictions of the river systems, some mountains and the names of many regions.

Second edition.  Sabin 85593.  Shaw and Shoemaker 11392. 

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

International first class shipping includes a handling charge to cover insurance.

Domestic orders over $250 include a handling charge to cover signature confirmation.

#panoplybooks #rarebooks #bookboutique #collectiblebooks #antiquebooks #vintagebooks #bookstore

We invite you to view our Shipping & Returns policies, or to contact us with any questions.