Beschreibung:

Title: Guatimala, or The United Provinces of Central America, in 1827-8; Being sketches and memorandums made during a twelve months' residence in that republic Author: Dunn, Henry Place: New York Publisher: G. & C. Carvill Date: 1828 Description: 318 pp.; errata slip. (8vo) 23.4x14.2 cm (9¼x5½"), modern quarter leather & marbled boards, raised spine bands, paper spine label; page edges untrimmed; First Edition. Scarce first edition of this description of life in Guatemala in the early 19th century, "one of the classic travelogues, written by an Anglican clergyman traveling in company with the Dutch consul general during the conflicts relating to the independence movement" (Grieb). According to Griffin, the principal value of this work lies in Dunn's "perceptive observations of all aspects of Guatemalan life during his extensive travels in the country." Described are Jamaica, Belize, the Mosquito Coast, Yucatán and Guatemala, with details on government, commerce, diseases, emigration, black population, entertainment, pirates, architecture, marriages and funerals, police, prisons, education, bullfights, religious processions, earthquakes, volcanoes, mining and agricultural products (cochineal, indigo, tobacco, sugar, coffee, cotton). Dunn describes the 1821-1823 independence movement on pp. 167-205, and devotes pp. 258-283 to the Indian population. The second edition, London 1829, included a map. Palau 77296; Sabin 21320. Old inkstamp of the Albany Library to title page, along with inked "No. 1938." Lot Amendments Condition: Some foxing and a bit of soiling to contents, very good. Item number: 274261