By Delafield, John Jr.

New York: Published for Subscribers by Colt, Burgess & Co., 1839. First Edition. Large 4to – 29.9cm. pp. 142 including Appendix, 10 exceptional lithographic plates, five of which are hand-colored, depicting artifacts, skulls, traditional artwork, plans, and more. The fold-out “plate” precedes the title page and is in fact a replica of the codex Boturini, apparently produced to scale and measuring 7.5” x 19’ (feet). The paper used for this exceedingly large fold-out is more like a thin vellum, quite thin, but strong — this copy is completely intact. There is intermittent foxing but not affecting plates which are fresh. Binding is the original boards, blind-stamped and with bright gilt center design; recent leather spine with title labels, raised bands; all page edges gilt, newer end-leaves. Overall this is a very good and complete copy of a rare publication. Howes D229. Sabin 19333. Field 509.

John Delafield was a prominent New York banker. His book, which was quite well-printed for an American book of this period, is a study of the origins of the Native Americans, including those of South America, an interesting piqued, as he says, from living among the tumuli of those people, i.e. he mound builders. His conclusions are that they migrated across the Bering Straits, for which he tries to supply linguistic, somatic, mythic and other proofs. His work was a notable achievement for that time in history. There is also an appendix by James Lakey, entitled “A Brief Inquiry in the Causes of the Superiority of Man in the Northern Hemisphere, over those of the Southern Hemisphere”.

Provenance: This copy belonged to John Bussey, a prominent Boston Merchant, farmer and horticulturist, who left his land to Havard University for agricultural and horticultural advancement. The current Arnold Arboretum is on Bussey’s donated land. His small circular stamp on the title page bear his name.

With: Also laid into this copy is the original prospectus for the book — a pamphlet of 8pp.

$3000.00 -