Nice 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 entrenched each year. For scholars and investigators they will always remain the greatest source of authority." Howes notes the work as "a colossal co-operative undertaking; nothing approaching it has ever been attempted in this country." This is the much sought after tree calf bound set, which are much more attractive, and more solid, than the commonly found full sheep set. With Lizzie H. Glide’s gilt-lettered morocco label on the foot of every spine. Volume I with tape stains on front preliminary page from a carbon copy typed letter addressed to the Mother Load Chapter of the Sierra Club, which is laid in, and an affixed related newspaper clipping with inked notes on the half-title page. Volume II with a related newspaper clipping affixed on the front preliminary page. Cowan p.33; Howes B89.