“FULL OF INTEREST, INSTRUCTION AND EVEN ROMANCE… CONSPICUOUS EXAMPLES OF HIGH ENDEAVOUR AND BRAVE ACCOMPLISHMENT”: MONUMENTAL HISTORY OF CANADA, IN BEAUTIFULLY BOUND AND ILLUSTRATED 23-VOLUME PRESTIGE FIRST EDITION

SHORTT, Adam and DOUGHTY, Arthur G., editors. Canada and Its Provinces. A History of the Canadian People and Its Institutions by One Hundred Associates. Toronto: Edinburgh University Press for the Publishers' Association of Canada, 1913-14. Twenty-three volumes. Quarto, original full dark green levant morocco gilt, raised bands, front covers with elaborate gilt armorial centerpieces, top edges gilt, uncut. $4800.

First, “Author’s Edition,” number 714 of only 875 sets on handmade paper, of this comprehensive chronicle of Canadian history—the “most authoritative… for half a century”—illustrated with over 275 plates, portraits, facsimiles, charts and maps (including numerous double-page color maps), beautifully bound in publisher’s deluxe levant armorial morocco-gilt.

"Canada's past, through brief compared with that of the Motherland or other European countries, is full of interest, instruction and even romance. The story of the early centuries is fascinating and dramatic. It has its conspicuous examples of high endeavour and brave accomplishment… [and] may be presented as to awaken not only the interest but the patriotic pride of every intelligent citizen" (Introduction). The first five volumes comprise a history of Canada from its early exploration and colonization by the French and British through the creation, in the mid-19th century, of a united Canada. The next three volumes trace the Canadian Dominion's political development, focusing on the establishment of the new government, Indian affairs, and fishing and territory treaties. This history is followed by two volumes on industrial development, two volumes on Canadian arts and letters, and ten volumes on specific provincial histories. The last volume is a general index. "The most authoritative history of Canada available for half a century, familiar to generations of students, it stands as one of the most ambitious and successful private publication projects complete in Canada" (Fleming and Lamonde, History of the Book in Canada: 1840-1918, 177). "The Authors' Edition, the first, was printed and bound by T. and A. Constable, of the University of Edinburgh Press, in a deluxe format… Each volume was carefully finished to the highest quality possible, to give this prestige edition of 875 sets 'a noble and enduring attire'… With monies realized from the sale of the first edition, a less elaborate Archives edition was published… as well as another deluxe edition, the Edinburgh, for sale only in the United States and Britain… For all editions, volume 23… was delayed by war until 1917" (Fleming and Lamonde, 176). Signed by printer T.A. Constable on the limitation page in each volume. Without rare original dust jackets.

A fine wide-margined set, splendidly printed and beautifully bound.