London Richard Bentley. History of the Conquest of Peru. 1850. 2 volumes. With two full-page engraved frontispieces and a page showing the signatures of Francisco Pizarro. Tall 8vo. Bound in full calf with black spine labels. Spine labels chipped, corners bumped, with wear to covers and spines. Spines and hinges are dry but binding and text block remain tight. Foxing and age toning to end papers and title pages, all else clean and bright. See all photos for exact condition. A very handsome set, internally very fresh and clean and crisp, partially unopened, pages feel mostly unread.
Prescott set out to print the history of the Spanish conquest of the Incas in Peru. The Incas had established a refined social polity, and had made considerable progress in the arts of civilization. Their contact with the devastatingly powerful empire of Spain is one of the most epic confrontations in the annals of human history. Prescott's rendering of the story has always been considered one of the great historical works on the Spanish in America. A nice set.