History of the Catholic Missions Among the Indian Tribes of the United States, 1529-1854 by Shea, John Gilmary - 1854

New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother , 1854. Edge and corner worn, scuffed and scratched, large portion of the spine is missing (what is there is being held on by tape, front and rear boards are almost detached, corners are bumped and rubbed, shelf worn, ex-library with the usual library markings, overall a very very rare and collectible used first edition! Extremely scarce and hard-to-find title! Decorative brown buckram binding. Publisher's date of 1854 is stated on the copyright page. 514 historical pages! "A general history of the missionary efforts of the Catholic Church among the American Indians is a work too much needed to require comment. The present work, undertaken at the suggenstion of President Sparks, is intended to comprise all missions within the present territory of the United States, from the discovery to the present time. A few years since the labors of the Catholic missionaries were ignored or vilified: now, owing to the works of Bancroft, Sparks, O'Callaghan, Kip, and others, they occupy their merited place in our country's history...." ---- from the Preface.. First Edition / First Printing. Buckram. Poor/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Ex-Library.