4 volumes, 8vo. 2 folding maps. Contemporary half calf with marbled edges (rubbing, ink stains on pg. 361-364 not affecting text). 
 
FIRST BRITISH EDITION, preceding the first American edition of the same year. One of the first modern biographies of Christopher Columbus, considered to be one of the first examples of American historical fiction. Irving was invited to Madrid to translate Spanish-language source material on Columbus into English, and decided to write his biography instead. He worked closely with Alexander von Humboldt, who had recently returned from his South American voyage and could provide deep knowledge of the geography of the Americas. This was also the first of Irving's works to be published under his own name. See lot 276. Provost 122.