Sewall, R. K. (Rufus King, 1814-1903)

[Anti-Catholic; Travel, Florida] Sketches of St. Augustine With a View of its History and Advantages as a Resort for Invalids

Philadelphia: Martin E. Harmstead, 1849. 2nd Edition. A Good Hardcover.

Blue stamped cloth with gilt titles, Bindings are tight and square. Text clean, light even toning minimal scattered foxing. Moderate shelf handling wear. The upper 2 inches of the spine is repaired with shiny black tape. Covers lightly bumped and have some dull water spots that may have been colored to match original cloth color. The free end pages are foxed. 12mo; 7.25 inches tall; 100 pages. Second Edition.

Good / No Dust Jacket As Issued. Item #013839

This 2nd Edition contains a 'Supplementary chapter', p. 70-100, which is an account of the suppression of the 1st edition, the attack upon the author, and his defense. This copy contains the section on Minorcan population usually excised in from the first edition.

In 1849 very few people lived in Florida, and St. Augustine was the only town reasonably well established. The book gives local history and then evidence from physicians telling how its climate will speed their recovery. It has a decidedly anti-Catholic overtone.

The book was apparently well received, as this is the second edition only a year after the first.

Ref Howes, s304; Hanna, 43; OCLC

Price: $175.00