Appleton New York 1852. First edition 2 vols., 8vo, pp. xxii, 424; iv, 452. Nine maps, one folding, 25 fine tinted lithographic plates (hors-texte), and 60 woodcuts in the text. Squier went to Nicaragua as the Charge d'Affaires to the Republics of Central America. Squier's inquiring mind and passion for Indian antiquities, exercised in his study of the mound cultures of the Mississippi Valley and the Indians of New York, was vigorous in the execution of his tasks. He eventually wrote 5 or 6 books on the Central American states, and made a return trip in 1853 to study a proposed interoceanic railroad and pursue further his archaeological investigations. His book on Nicaragua is considered his best. He was later appointed as U.S. Commissioner to Peru, where he made extensive studies of Inca remains and published an important book on them. Many of the illustrations in his books are taken from photographs he himself made. In his busy life, he was a frequent contributor to Encyclopedia Britannica and was chief editor of Frank Leslie's publishing house.
300/500 Sold $138.00
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