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1880s Hubert Howe Bancroft First Edition Leather Books – History of Oregon & Native Races (3 Volumes)
Antique first edition volumes from “The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft,” a landmark 19th-century historical series documenting the history and cultures of the American West. This lot includes three leather-bound volumes published in San Francisco by The History Company and A.L. Bancroft & Company in the 1880s. Titles include “History of Oregon, Vol. I (1834–1848),” “History of Oregon, Vol. II (1848–1888),” and “The Native Races, Vol. I – Wild Tribes.” Bound in original tan leather with black and gilt spine labels and marbled page edges. Bancroft’s monumental multi-volume set remains one of the earliest comprehensive historical records of the Pacific Coast, Native cultures, and western expansion.
Measurements (Approximate):
• Each volume: 9–10” tall, 6–7” wide, 1.5–2.5” thick
Condition: Antique condition with significant age-related wear. Leather bindings show surface wear, rubbing, and edge loss consistent with late 19th-century use. One volume has a detached rear cover, and another shows a loose spine label requiring reattachment or conservation. Pages show typical age toning but remain largely intact and readable. Structurally stable overall despite binding wear.
Historical Note: Historian and publisher Hubert Howe Bancroft (1832–1918) produced one of the most ambitious historical publishing projects of the 19th century, documenting the history of the western United States, Mexico, and Central America. His multi-volume series, produced in San Francisco during the 1880s, remains a foundational reference for scholars of Pacific Coast and Native American history.
Estimated Value: $350
