ALGEMEINE GESCHICHTE DER LANDER UND VOLKER VON AMERICA

Halle: Johann Justinus Gebauer, 1752 - 1753. First Edition. Hardcover. Text and plates very clean. Tasteful early twentieth century bookplate on front pastedowns. Near Fine. Two quarto (7-3/4" x 10") volumes bound in early full vellum with gilt lettering and rules on the spine. Illustrated with 8 maps (5 folding) and 59 full-page engravings (6 folding), many of which depict early Native Americans. Most of the first volume contains German translations of Lafiteau's MOEURS DES SAUVAGES AMERICAINS COMPARES AUX MOEURS DES PREMIERS TEMPS (Paris, 1723). The second volume is compiled from various sources and includes German translations of passages from Charlevoix's (truncated) HISTOIRE ET DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE (Paris, 1744). Baumgarten's "Vorrede" contains a bibliography of the New World. The social life and customs of Native Americans of both North and South America are described and illustrated in detail, with chapters on individual areas including Florida, New England, Virginia, Peru, Brazil, and even Jamaica and Greenland. There is much on the Incas as well. Howes S-200; Sabin 77989. (Inventory #: 012372)