History of the Conquest of Peru, by William H. Prescott, Swan Sonnenschein & Co., 1893, Magdalen College, Oxford prize binding

William Hickling Prescott's History of the Conquest of Peru is one of the great nineteenth-century narrative histories of the Americas. First published in 1847, it traces the civilisation of the Inca Empire and its dramatic overthrow following the arrival of Francisco Pizarro and the Spanish conquistadors, before continuing through the struggles and civil wars that followed the conquest. Prescott (1796-1859), the distinguished American historian also celebrated for his History of the Conquest of Mexico, drew extensively upon Spanish chronicles, manuscripts and contemporary accounts, combining substantial historical scholarship with the vivid narrative style for which his works became famous. This New and Revised Edition was edited by John Foster Kirk and incorporates Prescott's later corrections and additions.

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 Peru.

History of the Conquest of Peru, with a Preliminary View of the Civilization of the Incas. 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, [1893]. New and Revised Edition, with the author's latest corrections and additions, edited by John Foster Kirk. 

A good (plus) black leather hardback with gilt armorial to covers with lined gilt and blind stamped borders . Spine with tooled gilt decoration and raised bands. With red morocco author's label. Title label is missing, with blind stamped title 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 + 510pp.

Weight approximately 1050g.

Dimensions: Approximately 220mm high x 151mm wide x 39mm deep.