Bryan Edwards. THE HISTORY, CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL, OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN THE WEST INDIES. 4vols. (complete) (without accompanying atlas). Philadelphia: James Humphreys, 1806. Fourth ed., first American edition. Tree calf with gilt lettering and patterns on spine, marbled endpapers. 8vo; xxxviii, [2], 398; 406, [2]; 352; xxiv, 403, [5 list of subscribers]pp. Vol. I with portrait frontispiece and tissue guard, with total of (10) folding tables in all volumes, including (3) in vol. II, (6) at end of vol. III, and (1) in vol. IV. Sabin 21901.

8 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. each

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

Edwards's book was influential from the time of its first publication in 1793 and into the 19th century due to its many subsequent editions. The first American edition was also the first edition with four volumes and includes Edwards's own discussion of his life as well as Daniel McKinnen's description of the Bahamas.

Boards scuffed with small stains and edgewear, corners bumped, spine rubbed yet gilt still clear, creasing at joints with bindings still extremely sturdy; pages toned, with scattered foxing, and occasional crease, folded corner, stain, and small loss or chip not impacting text; ink signature on all title pages, small loss in free endpaper of vol. IV, ink mark on free endpaper vol. I; vol. II missing pages 7and 8 (half title with blank verso, with no evidence of removal). A sturdy full set.