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An important 19th‑century ethnographic work that offers a broad survey of human diversity. Brown’s approach is descriptive rather than prescriptive, aiming to present a popular yet detailed account of different peoples around the world. Over 500 illustrations.Overall condition: Very Good. Complete set - 4 volumes.SET INFOPublished in 1873 by Cassell, Petter & Galpin in London. First edition, first printing. Bound in contemporary half calf. Boards ruled in blind. Spine with five gilt-tooled, raised bands separating compartments ruled in blind and with some gilt lettering and rules, a gilt-lettered black leather spine label in compartment two. All edges speckled. Quartos, 10.5\" x 8\". Rebound without two half titles (in Volumes III and IV) otherwise collated and complete: (All volumes with the same pagination sequence): viii, 320 pp.; viii, 320 pp.; viii, 320 pp.; viii, 320 pp. There are 500 evocative illustrations between the four volumes, including 4 frontispieces. The different \"races\" of humankind across all inhabited continents and biomes are explored. Each section typically covers the following, with accompanying illustrations:1. Physical and cultural traits of a race or group;
2. Manners and customs (rituals, festivals, daily life);
3. Social organization and governance;
4. Economic activities and subsistence practices;
5. Religious beliefs and traditions.The focus is on non-Caucasian/European indigenous peoples native to each continent and country/region covered: Native Americans, Eskimos, Hindus, Arabs, Mauri, Hawaiians, gypsies, Mongolians, Chinese, many African tribes, Egyptians, Aborigines, etc.CONDITION REPORTThe volumes are in VERY GOOD antiquarian condition.Exteriors and bindings: Firm hinges and joints, tight pages. Colorful, supple rich brown leather. Spines uniformly sun-lightened to a pleasing medium brown. Rubbing to spines, boards and edges. Corners slightly bumped. Top edges, darkened per usual. Dust soiling on the covers.Interiors: Tones pages, generally clean and bright. Offsetting from leather turn-ins onto FFEPS. Former owner inscription in ink of William M. Blackwood dated 1875 at the head of each volume\'s half-title or title page. Volume I\'s FFEP with partially erased pencil writing. Light soiling on endpapers. Signs of handling: the occasional smudge, crease or marginal finger soiling. No foxing, stickers or bookplates.Volume I - pp 3-4 with 4\" strip at head of top margin missing, not affecting text. Leaf 171-172 with 1\" tear at bottom margin.
Volume III - Pages 185-193 bound out of order, appear after page 200.
Volume IV - 1/2” tear, fore edge margin pp.15-16.All in all, a VERY GOOD complete set of the wonderfully illustrated Races of Mankind.
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