2 volumes. xxiv, 525; vii, 643 pp. With 2 folding lithographed frontispieces; 10 aquatint plates (1 colored, 4 double-page, 1 folding); and 1 lithographed plate; 2 large folding copper-engraved maps; 4 woodcuts within the text. (8vo) 23.5x14 cm (9¼x5½"), original green blindstamped cloth, spines lettered in gilt.. Second Edition, Enlarged.
Important historical review by the English diplomat, politician, and colonial administrator. Ward, the British chargé d'affaires in Mexico, traveled extensively throughout the country in the 1820's, as far north as Durango, visiting mining towns along the way. In addition to Ward's personal travel narrative, there are appended accounts of the Province of Texas by Gen. Wavel, and Sonora and Sinaloa by Col. Bourne. Streeter calls it a "classic book on Mexico - the rarity of accounts of Texas in the 1820's makes its inclusion worth while" - Streeter, Texas, 110. This second edition was published the year after the first edition; the second edition makes some corrections and adds an additional chapter in the second volume. The two maps are: "Mexico" (54.5x67 cm), including Nueva California, New Mexico, Texas, etc.; and "Map of Routes to the Principal Mining Districts in the Central States of Mexico" (40x55.5 cm). The present copy has the ownership signature of E.O.C. Ord, [II], U.S. Army... 1899, to front free endpaper. This would be the son of the E.O.C. Ord who created the California gold region map. There are also signatures of C.C. Alger, 1845 in each volume.
Provenance: Ross Valley Book Company, 5/87
References: Streeter, Texas, 1104; Raines, p. 215; Sabin 10132; Hill, p. 319.