Author: PRESCOTT, William H.
Title: History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic
Description: 1838. PRESCOTT, William H. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA, THE CATHOLIC. In Three Volumes. Boston: American Stationers' Company, John B. Russell, 1838. Inscribed first edition from the author to John L. Sibley. The inscription is dated January 26, 1838, shortly after the deposit copy (January 15, 1838). Sibley, librarian of Harvard University (1841-1877), was instrumental in the development of that university's fine collection. A self proclaimed "sturdy beggar," because of his numerous pleas for gifts of books, he quadrupled the number of volumes in the collection and significantly increased the annual income, from $250 to $170,000, during his tenure. (DAB). Three 8vo. volumes. Vol. 1: cxxiv, 411 pp.; Vol. 2: xviii, 509 pp.; Vol. 3: xvi, 531 pp. + 4 pp. publisher's catalog. Frontispiece portrait in each volume, and a genealogical chart in Vol. 1. Publisher's binding of blue H cloth (not in Blanck), with gilt-stamped title within a double-rule rectangle and an armorial device below on spines. Ex library, deaccessioned by Sibley's prep school alma mater. Internally clean and very fresh, despite some negligible marginal soiling. Spines are sunned, with a small discolored spot near the center from removal of a library label, with wear at spinal ends, joints and corners. Front hinge of Volume 1 is just starting. This is an acceptable copy of Prescott's second book, but containing an early inscription, and in an unrecorded binding. (Blanck 16334). .

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