39 volumes. Illustrated with maps, many folding. (8vo) 23x14 cm (9x5½"), original publisher's full black morocco ruled in gilt, spines decoratively tooled & lettered in gilt, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With replica of the wooden bookcase with double glass doors that could be acquired from the publisher at the time of purchase.

Handsome set of Bancroft's Works in a deluxe publisher's binding. This is one of the more desirable of the bindings available, which ranged from cloth or sheep at the low end to polished tree calf and several types of morocco at the top. The massive compilation on the history of the American West and adjacent portions of the continent was monumental in its scope. 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." The bindings have the name of D.R.C. Brown stamped in gilt at the spine feet, except for Vol. 25, which has the name Seymour. The replica bookcase was produced in a limited edition of ten examples by Yosemite Collections; there is a label on the base, stating this to be example No. 1, for Warren Heckrotte. Accompanied by the two-volumes Index to Bancroft's Works, compiled by members of the Zamorano Club, published by the University of Southern California Press, 1985. Note: Extra shipping charges apply.

Provenance: Alta California Books, '72

References: Cowan p.33; Howes B89.