Stith, William | The first history of Virginia printed there

Stith, William

The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia: Being An Essay towards a General History of this Colony. [Bound with:] An Appendix to the First Part of the History of Virginia. Williamsburg, Virginia: William Parks, 1747

Two volumes bound in one, 8vo (205 x 126 mm). Title-page to each work, ornamental headpieces and initials; some faint and scattered foxing, a few leaves quite browned. Full contemporary speckled calf, edges speckled red; extremities rubbed, upper board nearly detached, spine label renewed. In custom slipcase and folding chemise.  

First edition, third issue. "Stith's text is one of the first American histories to be written and printed in the British colonies, and the first such in Virginia. Stith, who was well connected in the colony, had access to numerous important sources, including the library of William Byrd of Westover, the personal recollections of Sir John Randolph, county court books, the official records of the London Company, and John Smith's seminal Generall Historie of Virginia. … This is one of the earliest accessible Virginia imprints, and one of the most interesting" (Celebration).

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 23; ESTC W23158; Evans 6071; Howes S1014; Sabin 91860; Sewm 5325