Complete set of historic auction catalogs, with accompanying index volume: The Thomas Winthrop Streeter Collection of Americana, Vols. 1–7 plus Index. First editions. NY: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1966–1970. Hardcovers, 7 x 10.25, totaling 3353 pages. From the introduction to the first volume: "Any bookman acquainted even in small degree with the Americana Library of Thomas Winthrop Streeter is aware of three of its features which make it comparable only to the memorable Brinley Collection, dispersed at auction in the years 1879-1893. In size, in scope, and in integration of elements it stands with the Brinley and surpasses all other American private libraries. The selectivity which has gone into its making ensures that it may not be thought of as a mere aggregation of books. It is an integration guided by certainty of purpose in the persistently held aim to bring together the underlying elements, so far as printed works are concerned, of American life in the huge area we know as the United States from rude beginnings to sophisticated economic, political, and constitutional organization. The complete catalogue will become a bibliography of American history of high value to the general and special historian, to those who write of the great discoveries as well as to those who enlighten us as to the opening of the West, the development, let us say, of the cattle trade of the Plains, or the mining industry of California with their respective transformations of the economy of the nation." Book condition: VG/None.
