This is the third English edition of Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt's important work first published in French in 1811. Humboldt is one of the most important figures in the scientific discovery of the Americas. Humboldt traveled through the Spanish possessions in America from 1799-1804 under the patronage of the Spanish Crown and was granted access to the archives of the Spanish-American colonies. During his travels he made numerous scientific observations and accumulated data on the customs, behavior, intellect and social arrangements of the indigenous population as well as investigated geographic, geologic, political, commercial and agricultural aspects of the society. This four-volume book, translated from French by John Black, comprises the first scientific description of the American Southwest with a wealth of information on California and Texas. Supplementing the text are the small folding Plan of the Port of Veracruz (10.0 x 7.9") and Map of the Valley of Mexico... (10.3 x 8.0"). Other illustrations include two views of volcanoes and three profile views. 4 volumes (v1 - introduction plus 289 pages, v2 - 483 pages, v3 - 493 pages, v4 - 374 pages plus index). This set does not include the atlas volume. Published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown in London. Hardbound in blue cloth with gilt title labels on the spines.

This example has an ink inscription "To General Carreno with Mr. Rennie's Respectful Compliments" on the title page and another on the advertising leaf "Wm. A. Ryan - Asst. of William Nelson, Esq. American Consul Panama." There is a later collector's stamp on the title page and bookplate on the front pastedowns.

References: Howes #H-786; Sabin #33756.

Condition:

The folding map of Veracruz is lightly toned with a small stain at lower right. The folding map of the Valley of Mexico has several small wormholes with minor image loss and a chip in the lower left corner of the map. Folding tables are dampstained with loss along one fold. Text is mostly clean and bright. Ex-libris. Modern bindings have light shelf wear. Maps/Plates (B), Text (A), Binding (B+)