Howes W-577. Justin Winsor (1831-1897), author or editor of various historical works and Librarian of Harvard University, was both editor and one of the writers of the above. There are sixty-six chapters in all, on such subjects as "Magellan's Discoveries," "Frontenac and his Times," "The Struggles for the Great Valleys of America," etc., most of them using the same format: a narrative section by a contributor, a section usually entitled "critical essay of the sources of information" and a section generally entitled "editorial notes." Both the "critical essays" and the "notes" are of a critical-bibliographic nature, the former treating general sources and the latter covering specific topics or issues relevant to the chapter. The "notes" in particular are well-illustrated with portraits and old maps or other facsimiles. Winsor sometimes also provided cartographic sections and appendices of a similar nature, and a few of the historical narratives, for ex. the "Struggles" noted above.
Some of the volumes show wear at spine ends. A few of the inside hinges are cracked. Well-preserved set.