The Works of Hubert H. Bancroft, 42 volumes

San Francisco: The History Company Publishers, 1883-1890. Leather bound. 8vos. Bound in publisher's calf with gilt stamped titles to black spine panels; marbled edges. Most volumes are in good to acceptable condition; with considerable wear, rubbing, and chipping to exteriors; various hinges going; a few boards detached but present. There are 36 vols. (of the complete 39 vol. set); vols XXXIII, XXXV, and XXXVIII are the missing volumes; however included here is an extra set of The History of Mexico, custom bound in polished calf, (6 vols.).

Lot includes: Volume I: The Native Races, v1: Wild Tribes; Volume II: The Native Races, v2: Civilized Nations; Volume III: The Native Races, v3: Myths and Languages; Volume IV: The Native Races, v4: Antiquities Volume V: The Native Races, v5: Primitive History; Volume VI: History of Central America, v1: 1501-1530; Volume VII: History of Central America, v2: 1530-1800; Volume VIII: History of Central America, v3: 1801-1887; Volume IX: History of Mexico, v1: 1516-1521; Volume X: History of Mexico, v2: 1521-1600; Volume XI: History of Mexico, v3: 1600-1803; Volume XII: History of Mexico, v4: 1804-1824; Volume XIII: History of Mexico, v5: 1824-1861; Volume XIV: History of Mexico, v6: 1861-1887; Volume XV: History of the North Mexican States, v1: 1531-1800; Volume XVI: History of the North Mexican States and Texas, v2: 1801-1889Volume XVII: History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888 Volume XVIII: History of California, v1: 1542-1800Volume XIX: California, v2: 1801-1824; Volume XX: History of California, v3: 1825-1840; Volume XXI: History of California, v4: 1840-1845; Volume XXII: History of California, v5: 1846-1848; Volume XXIII: History of California, v6: 1848-1859; Volume XXIV: History of California, v7: 1860-1890; Volume XXV: History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888; Volume XXVI: History of Utah, 1540-1886; Volume XXVII: History of the Northwest Coast, v1: 1543-1800; Volume XXVIII: History of the Northwest Coast, v2: 1800-1846; Volume XXIX: History of Oregon, v1: 1834-1848; Volume XXX: History of Oregon, v2: 1848-1888; Volume XXXI: History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, 1845-1889; Volume XXXII: History of British Columbia, 1792-1887; Volume XXXIV: California Pastoral, 1769-1848; Volume XXXVI: Popular Tribunals, v1; Volume XXXVII: Popular Tribunals, v2; Volume XXXIX: Literary Industries.

Footnote:
"The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft spans thirty-nine volumes and details four hundred years of history in the western hemisphere, from Alaska to Panama. Hubert Howe Bancroft was the main focus of criticism regarding the subscription history series that bears his name. Born in Ohio, Bancroft traveled to California as a young man to sell books. He opened a bookstore in San Francisco in 1856 which was successful enough to enable him to expand. Bancroft?s began to collect books and manuscripts around 1860. Between his book collection and several interviews of living sources he had conducted, Bancroft soon possessed an assortment of valuable historical source material. By the 1870s he began his Works, an expansive multi-volume history of North America. Bancroft released the first volume, ?The Native Races, v1: Wild Tribes? in 1874 and sold it by subscription service. Initially, his work was met with excitement and interest, especially once production of new volumes hit its stride in the 1880s, committing to publishing four volumes a year. A significant feature of Bancroft?s history is its more positive outlook on some non-white Americans than most of its contemporaries. For example, Native Americans, the subject of the first five volumes, are shown in a relatively good light, the contributions of African Americans to the region are credited, and Californios are depicted as chivalrous. However, the series as a whole could not be characterized as an especially progressive one. A common theme throughout the Works is the portrayal of white Americans in the west as heroic figures, civilizing the wilderness and championing manifest destiny.

In addition to its success, from the beginning Bancroft?s series courted controversy. Such an encyclopedic undertaking required hundreds of people to produce the history, and several dozen to research, write, and edit. Yet, Bancroft?s name alone is credited within the text. It is estimated that of the thirty-nine volumes, Bancroft?s writing only accounts for a total of around five books.

Another challenge the series faced was the dissatisfaction of its subscribers. The Works cost between $175 to $400, depending on how they were bound, making them more costly than comparable works of the time. Most contemporary craftsmen made less than $1000 per year and regretted committing to such an expensive series. Many sued to get out of their subscriptions.

Crediting controversies aside, The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft represent an impressive historical undertaking on the part of Bancroft and all of his assistants. Bancroft?s high opinion of history-writing is reflected in the depth of discussion and breadth of topics covered over the course of the volumes. The work is detailed and expansive and exemplifies Gilded Age perspectives on history."-----Nevada Evers. Rancho Los Cerritos

Most volumes are in good to acceptable condition; with considerable wear, rubbing, and chipping to exteriors; various hinges going; a few boards detached but present; Interiors clean, all maps present. Good overall.