Step into the age of discovery with this remarkable 1828 First American Edition of Washington Irving’s A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. A foundational work of American historical fiction, this was the first book Irving published under his own name—ushering in a new era of literary biography.

Highlights:
•     📘 Three Volumes Complete:
Vol. I (399 pp.) includes fold-out map; Vol. II (367 pp.); Vol. III (420 pp.)
•     🧵 Elegant Binding:
Red half-calf leather over black boards, gilt-stamped spines, refreshed endpapers
•     🏷️ Provenance:
Bookplates of Chester Jacob Chamberlain—esteemed bibliographer of Longfellow and Lowell—affixed to vols I & III; original owner’s ink signature on Vol. III

•     📜 Condition:
Light toning and foxing throughout; several rough-cut pages
Vol. III: small chip to upper outer edge (pp. 1–78)
Vol. I: 2" closed tear on p. 125
Vol. II: closed tear on p. 284
Map: minor separation at upper fold (see photos)
 
Why It Matters:
Irving’s biography of Columbus blends fact and romanticism, shaping American perceptions of exploration and heroism. This edition, published in New York by G. & C. Carvill, stands as a testament to early American publishing and literary ambition.
 
Perfect For:
Collectors of Americana, literary historians, and those drawn to the golden age of exploration.