Product Description
I am pleased to offer a lovely, leather bound copy of the Biography of Ferdinand De Soto by Lamber A.
Wilmer.
This book was published by J.
T.
Lloyd of Philadelphia, dated 1858 and a First Edition with the same date on title and copyright pages.
Looking carefully at this copy of the book, and the markings contained therein, however, I believe it was rebound after it was published and owned by a previous owner.
This copy is bound with a handsome quarter spine in brown leather with five raised bands, gilt decorations and titles on the spine, and leather corners.
The boards are covered with a marbled paper and the page edges are full-gilt.
Printed at the base of the first blank page can be read: "Bound by Ringer for A.
C.
McClurg & Co.
" (the Chicago Stationeer and early bookstore).
There are also some less formal penciled notations on the next page, with the penciled name of a different former owner that suggests (albeit in code) that the book and the binding were done at different times.
Please see my photos for your further information.
I was quite surprised at the content of this book which paints a gruesome picture of the barbaric treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, seeking gold.
I did not read all the book but I got the sense that somehow, De Soto is seen as the good Spaniard in this story who treated the Indians much better (it could hardly have been worse!).
Condition: This book is in very good condition.
The leather binding of the hard covers of this book shows some minor instances of rubbing wear on the gutter and some bumping to the corners and spine tips.
The top of the spine has a small bruise on one side that could be repaired.
Inside, as my remarks above suggest, there seem to be a series of markings by different past owners.
Fortunately, the interior pages are generally clean and bright without toning or foxing although there are some very minor instances of random smudges.
Both hinges are intact and the binding is tight, sound and square.
![[First Edition] The Life, Travels and Adventures of Ferdinand De Soto, Discoverer of the Mississippi Lambert A. Wilmer [Used - Very good] [Hardcover]](https://r.kelkoo.com/resize.php?country=ca&merchantId=100567270&categoryId=5101&trackingId=96985762&width=auto&height=auto&image=https%3A%2F%2Fpictures.abebooks.com%2Finventory%2F32459139782.jpg&sign=Z1OcsZXfRnsKIUduBBnm1YNqoj.HSp28A98.DD0Pkqg-)
