Textually the best edition of Edwards's famous work.
The history civil and commercial, of the British colonies in the West Indies. Third edition, with considerable additions
London: John Stockdale, 1801. 3 volumes, 8vo, pp. xxiv, xxiii, [1], 576; viii, 617, [1]; [4], xxxii, 477, [1], blank leaf, [6] ads; engraved frontispiece portrait and 21 maps and plates, all folding (that of St. Domingo as large as 26" x 38") plus a number of printed tables throughout; interesting, venerable set in original blue paper-covered boards, cream paper shelf-backs, printed paper labels on volumes 2 and 3, early mss. label on volume 1; the boards dirty, the spines chipped, with modest loss at tops and bottoms; internally clean; a compelling set. Textually, the best edition of Edwards's famous work, the last edition revised by the author before his death, including a note on his death by Sir William Young (who also contributes "A Tour through the Several Islands of Barbados, St. Vincent, Antigua, Tobago and Grenada, in the years 1791 and 1792" in volume 3); a life of the author written by himself a short time before his death; and prefaces to the first and second editions. This edition also incorporates for the first time, accrding to Sabin, Edwards' "Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo, Comprehending an Account of the Revolt of the Negroes…" James Ford Bell E55 citing the second edition (2 vols. 4to) of 1794: "An excellent and full general survey of the peoples, products, government, and history of the islands in the West Indies under British control." Sabin 21901. Item #19020
Price: $2,500.00
