The Modern Traveller. A Popular Description, Geographical, Historical and Topographical, of the Various Countries of the Globe: Volume VII Mexico and Guatimala. Volume X Russia.

Early American editions of these travel and reference volumes with accessible accounts of world geography and culture. Duodecimo, volumes VII and X, bound in full calf, rebacked with archival cloth tape, frontispieces, illustrated with plates and maps. From the library of President Millard Fillmore with his ownership signature in pencil to the front pastedowns and “G-3” on each title page indicating shelf location. The 12th Vice President, United States, Millard Fillmore, was elevated to the presidency in 1850 by the death of President Zachary Taylor. Born into relative poverty in upstate New York, he became a prominent lawyer and politician in the Buffalo area and a Whig as the party formed in the 1830s in opposition to the policies of Andrew Jackson. During the American Civil War, Fillmore was critical of Lincoln’s war policies and openly denounced secession, asserting that the Union must be maintained by force if necessary. As President he was instrumental in passing the Compromise of 1850 which led to a brief truce in the conflict between slave and free states which divided the Union and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act which provided for the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another territory. In good with losses to the spines and a couple of loose leaves.