Description

First edition, American issue (with the 1868 rather than the 1867 date), but made from the First Edition English sheets with the title page rendered for the American market and in this case, with an 1868 title-page slug. It seems apparent then that the first edition English sheets were being bound up for the American firm Lippincott over a period that spanned the two years, but prior to the "Second Edition" being issued in London in 1868. Illustrated with 24 black and white plates from original sketches by Sir S.W. Baker, and with two coloured maps, one full page and one folding in pocket at rear. 8vo, publisher’s original green cloth, the spine lettered and decorated in gilt. [xxiiii], 596, including index. A very fine, handsome and very bright copy, especially so, the text is pristine, the hinges are perfect and the green cloth is exceptionally fresh with no fading whatsoever and only the most trivial evidence of shelving at the edges.