America Painted to the Life. A True History of the Originall Undertakings of the Advancement of Plantations into Those Parts... Written by Sir Ferdinando Gorges...

London: Nathaniel Brook, 1658. First edition of a major source of New England history, corresponding to the description in Howes G-258 (dd in value). Church 559 presents the same material bound in a different order, with the exception of "Wonder Working Providence of Sion's Savior," which is bound into this copy following "A Briefe Narration of the Original Undertakings..." Sotheby's, where the most recent copy of this configuration sold, describes it thus: "The work comprises an account of the English settlement of North America, particularly New England, printed from a manuscript left to his grandson by Sir Ferdinand Gorges (1566-1847), coloniser, one of the founders of New Plymouth and later lord proprietary of Maine. His grandson, Ferdinand Gorges II adds his own account of New England and a preface stating that his grandfather's manuscript was left unfinished firstly because of the disruption of the Civil War, and then his death in 1647. The last part is an account of the "Spanish proceedings in America", also by Ferdinand Gorges II, largely derived from Las Casas. Bound before this is the text of Edward Johnson's History of New England, originally published by Nathaniel Brooke in 1654. "It is the earliest published narrative which treats in a general way of Massachusetts, and is better known from its running title, "Wonder-working Providence/"Sions Saviour, in New England", by which it is generally cited" (Church Cat.)." See also JCB III pp. 12-13. European Americana III, 658/71. Sabin 28020 (with a lengthy entry citing the Rich catalog). Williamson 3846.The first history bound in this configuration has a frontispiece engraving of what Sabin describes as "a young Indian woman, with a human leg in her hand," while cannibalistic activities go on in the background. Regarding the double-page map also found in this part, "The map of America is from the same plate as those found in Thomas Gage's "New Survey of the West India's, 1655." Both the map and the frontispiece are in excellent condition, with the bottom flap, caption to the frontispiece, is supplied in expert facsimile, all else original.Bound in period mottled calf with raised bands, the whole in remarkably fine condition. Housed in custom 1/4 morocco clamshell box. (Inventory #: 49282)