EDWARDS, Bryan (1743–1800). The History, Civil

EDWARDS, Bryan (1743–1800). The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies. London: for John Stockdale, 1794. 2 volumes, 4to (268 x 216 mm). 16 engraved maps and plates (including frontispieces and several large folding maps), errata at end of Volume II. (Few old repairs to folds verso of maps, some marginal spotting and offsetting to plates, few plates dampstained near top margin). Later quarter pigskin over marbled boards, buckram lettering–pieces gilt, endpapers renewed (few spots of rubbing to spine and boards edges, some very occasional dampstaining to upper margins, few leaves browned). Provenance: Caravan–Maritime Books (bookseller’s ticket). SECOND EDITION, regarded as the best edition as it includes the plates that the first edition was lacking. Edwards was a respected English politician, historian and supporter of the slave trade (see “History”). Edwards opposed the War of Independence and argued for free trade with America. Sabin 21901.