This 39 volume set is bound in lovely full, dark brown leather.  Each spine has two red leather labels with gold lettering - the top label stating "Bancroft's Works" and the Volume Number, and the bottom label giving the title of the individual work within that volume. The labels are spaced between the four raised leather hubs on each spine.  All three page edges are marbled.  The books contain both illustrations as well as fold-out maps. The books were all published in San Francisco between the years 1882 to 1890.  The leather binding is modern.  Volumes 1 - 5 cover The Native Races, Volumes  6 - 8 the History of Central America, Volumes 9 - 14 The History of Mexico,  Volumes 15 - 16 The North Mexican States and Texas,  Volume 17 Arizona and New Mexico, Volumes 18 - 24 The History of California, Volume 25 Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, Volume 26 The History of Utah, Volumes 27 - 28 The History of the Northwest Coast, Volumes 29 -30 The History of Oregon, Volume 31 Washington, Idaho, and Montana, Volume 32 The History of British Columbia, Volume 33  The History of Alaska, Volume 34 California Pastoral, Volume 35  California Inter Pocula, Volumes 36 - 37 Popular Tribunals, Volume 38 Essays and Miscellany, and Volume 39 Literary Industries.  This is a wonderful set, both for it's absolutely beautiful appearance as well as for the wealth of knowledge contained within. The detailed histories researched and written by Bancroft are still considered classics in their field after more than 120 years.  This set will make a fine addition to any library and will provide many hours of reading, hours where the readers may lose themselves in the colorful past of the American West, Mexico, and Central America.