The History of America, from its Discovery by Columbus to the Conclusion of the Late War. With an Appendix containing an Account of the Rise and Progress of the Present Unhappy Contest between Great Britain and Her Colonies. In Two Volumes by RUSSELL, William

London. Printed for Fielding and Walker. 1778. Hardcover. 4to. 29.5cm, in 2 volumes, iv,595 & 629,[3]p., (errata & plate directions), with 47 of 51 plates and maps (several folding), wanting text pages pp109-112 & 402-404, also 3 of the maps, missing are:- (1)- World Map p1. Vol. 1; - (2)- Map of the Province of Quebec. p404, Vol. 2; plate #16 & - (3). General Map of North America. p409, Vol. 2: plate #17., in contemporary full speckled calf, real raised bands, double red and black leather labels, marbled endpapers, oval crimson calf bookplate, decorated border, stamp in gilt "John Drinklald, 1779", binding generally worn, hinges cracked or detached, internally very good, sound, rare. (cgc) Sabin 74383. Howes R539. A history of the America's by Scottish historian, William Russell (1741-1793) with an extensive Appendix on the ongoing American Revolution ("the Present Unhappy Contest") including engraved portraits of Benjamin Franklin, General Washington, Edmund Burke, and Sir Henry Clinton. Volume One is primarily a history of Spanish America including the West Indies. Volume Two is a history of French Canada, Colonial America and British North America with a detailed study of the French and Indian War. Included are engraved maps of South and North America, Mexico, West Indies, Florida, the Thirteen Colonies, Nova Scotia & Newfoundland, and the Great Lakes. Engraved plates include views of New York and Quebec City, native Americans and Esquimaux. The attractively engraved maps, plans, portraits, and plates depicting South American Indians, scenes of European conquest, Florida Indians, Esquimaux, seaport views, and the like. While some of the views seem to have been cribbed from the usual sources, such as De Bry's Grand Voyages, many seem unique to this work. The early maps are after Bellin, the later ones after Jefferys.