The Geographical and Historical Dictionary of America and the West Indies…[5 volumes]

Provides a great deal of statistical information about California

5 volumes. Quarto. Approx. 550pp. per volume. Collated complete. Early 20th century three-quarter polished tan calf, marbled boards. Small contemporary engraved bookplate on inner cover of Alexander Baring. Corners show some wear. Ex-library copy (withdrawn) with bookplate to front and rear endpapers, perforated library stamp to title pages, and a few unobtrusive ink library stamps. Light foxing to preliminary and end leaves. Overall, a very good set, generally very clean.

First English edition, translated from the Spanish by G. A. Thompson and often simply referred to as "Thompson's Alcedo." . Originally published at Madrid, 1786-89, this great work is a valuable and comprehensive geographical, historical, and commercial gazetteer of the Americas. It covers the entire history of the Americas and is particularly rich in data relating to the Spanish possessions with particularly extensive sections on Chili, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, etc. It also includes numerous entries dealing with Canada and the United States. The general section on "Nueva España (New Spain) is very well covered and begins with, "A spacious kingdom of North America, the limits of which toward the north are unknown…". California is covered giving a great deal of statistical information, and includes a list of the missions of "New California" founded up to 1803. Appended is a vocabulary of provincial terms (largely Spanish), forming a catalogue of American plants, birds, and animals. A supplement provides the text of the Treaty of Peace between the United Kingdom and the United States (War of 1812). "Thompson's edition, for its additions, etc., is infinitely superior to the original…(Sabin). The small bookplate on the inner cover is that of contemporary owner, Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton. Baring (1774-1848) was a British politician and financier. [Sabin: 683].