History of the Conquest of Mexico by William H. Prescott, Swan Sonnenschein & Co., c.1890, Magdalen College, Oxford prize binding

William Hickling Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico is one of the great nineteenth-century narrative histories of the Americas, tracing the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire under Hernando Cortés while also providing an extensive preliminary account of Aztec civilisation, government, religion and society before the arrival of the Europeans. First published in 1843, the work established Prescott as one of the foremost American historians of his generation and became his best-known work. Written with the dramatic narrative style for which Prescott was celebrated, it draws extensively upon Spanish chronicles and documentary sources while recounting the encounters between Cortés, Montezuma and the peoples of Mexico. This New and Revised Edition incorporates Prescott's later corrections and additions and was edited after his death by the American historian and diplomat John Foster Kirk.

This copy is in an attractive contemporary full polished calf armorial binding, with gilt borders to the covers and the arms of Magdalen College, Oxford, prominently displayed in gilt on both boards. Although no presentation label or inscription survives to establish its original recipient, the binding was probably produced as a Magdalen College prize binding. Combined with the exceptionally clean and bright contents, marbled endpapers and matching marbled text-block edges, it makes a particularly appealing example of this important nineteenth-century history of Mexico.

History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Preliminary View of the Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the Life of the conqueror, Hernando Cortés. By William H. Prescott. New and revised Edition., with the Author's Latest Corrections and Additions. Edited by John Foster Kirk.

Published by Swan Sonnenschein & Co., London. Undated, c. 1890. New and Revised Edition, with the author's latest corrections and additions, edited by John Foster Kirk. 

A good (plus) hardback bound in contemporary full polished black calf leather, with gilt armorial to covers with lined gilt and blind stamped borders . Spine with tooled gilt decoration and raised bands. With red morocco title label. The author's label is missing, with blind stamped 'Prescott' wording still visible. Covers with scuffing and wear. With marbled endpapers and marbled edges to text block. Soundly bound.

Text is beautifully clean and bright throughout, with just the occasional light usage mark. Previous owner's name "G. Wyatt" to first blank free endpaper. A handsome volume.

Text in English.

xxiv + (1) Map of the Country traversed by the Spaniards on their march to Mexico + 713pp + (1) Facsimile signature of Cortés + (1) Map of the Valley of Mexico at the point of Conquest.

Weight approximately 1010g.

Dimensions: Approximately 220mm high x 153mm wide x 40mm deep.