39 vols. Illustrated with maps, many folding. 9x5½, modern brown cloth, gilt lettered spine labels, marbled edges.

Attractive set of this massive compilation on the history of the American West and adjacent portions of the continent. Masterminded by the historian Hubert Howe Bancroft, with contributions by many leading scholars, the work is based largely on original source material, interviews with participants in the events, and other first-hand accounts. Cowan remarks poetically, "As time passes and prejudice drifts into obscurity, these works become more and more strongly intrenched each year. For scholars and investigators they will always remain the greatest source of authority." Howes notes the work as "a colossol co-operative undertaking; nothing approaching it has ever been attempted in this country." Cowan p.33; Howes B89.