Adair, James | A definitive history of the native Americans of the Southeast

Adair, James 

The History of the American Indians; Particularly Those Nations adjoining to the Missisippi [sic], East and West Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, and Virginia. … Also an Appendix Containing a Description of the Floridas and the Missisippi [sic] Lands. London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, in the Poultry, 1775

4to (273 x 215 mm). Half-title, folding map; offsetting of map onto title, occasional foxing. Full contemporary calf, cover ruled in gilt, edges stained yellow, marbled endleaves; rebacked to style retaining elements of original spine panel; rubbing to extremities. In custom slipcase and folding chemise. 

First edition. "James Adair, one of the most colorful figures in Southern colonial history," wrote what many believe to be a definitive history of the native Americans of the Southeast. His book "contains many interesting observations about Indian trade and traders, Indian religion, customs and beliefs" (Clark). Adair's experience was firsthand: he lived and traded among the Cherokee, Catawba and Chickasaw tribes. 

This copy bears the bookplate of Joaquin Garcia Icazbalceta, noted historian and bibliographer of Mexican imprints.

PROVENANCE

Joaquin Garcia Icazbalceta (booklabel) — Swann, 27 September 2018, lot 178

REFERENCE

Clark, Old South 28; ESTC T86841; Howes A38; Sabin 155; Struggle for North America 82