The Astors, 1763-1992: Landscape with Millionaires

London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1993. Cloth, xix, 439 pages, illustrations; 24 cm. Firm binding, clean inside copy. Expected browning. Dust jacket, with light edgewear, protected in a mylar cover. "It appears that the Astor family has its origins in the small Italian town of Chiavenna which is close to the Swiss border. In 1620 Giovan Pietro Astor moved to Zurich and changed his name to Hans Peter Astor. A great-grandson, Felix Astor moved the family to Walldorf south of Heidleberg in 1713. In 1778, John Jacob Astor moved from Walldorf to England where he went into business making musical instruments with an older brother. In 1783 John Jacob Astor immigrated to America. He went into the fur trade and eventually became one of America's first millionaires. John Jacob married Sarah Todd and they were the parents of seven children, one of whom, William Backhouse Astor (1792-1875) became the founder of Astor dynasties in both America and England. Descendants live in both the United States and Great Britain." - Publisher.. 1st. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo.