![[CREVECOEUR, Michel Guillaume St. Jean de (1735-1813).] Letters from an American Farmer; Describing Certain Provincial Situations, Manners, and Customs, Not Generally Known. London: Thomas Davies and Lockyer Davis, 1782.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0139_001(crevecoeur_michel_guillaume_st_jean_de_letters_from_an_american_farmer012948).jpg?w=1)
![[CREVECOEUR, Michel Guillaume St. Jean de (1735-1813).] Letters from an American Farmer; Describing Certain Provincial Situations, Manners, and Customs, Not Generally Known. London: Thomas Davies and Lockyer Davis, 1782.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0139_000(crevecoeur_michel_guillaume_st_jean_de_letters_from_an_american_farmer095109).jpg?w=1)
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[CREVECOEUR, Michel Guillaume St. Jean de (1735-1813).] Letters from an American Farmer; Describing Certain Provincial Situations, Manners, and Customs, Not Generally Known. London: Thomas Davies and Lockyer Davis, 1782.
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[CREVECOEUR, Michel Guillaume St. Jean de (1735-1813).] Letters from an American Farmer; Describing Certain Provincial Situations, Manners, and Customs, Not Generally Known. London: Thomas Davies and Lockyer Davis, 1782.
The first edition of the work which "had a greater influence in attracting its readers to America than any other book of the period" (Vail). Written by a French émigré who lived through the Revolutionary War, the work comprises “twelve charming letters describing life in America” (Streeter) and was one of the major American literary sensations of the 18th century. The maps provide the first detailed descriptions of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Howes C-883 ("As literature unexcelled by an American work of the eighteenth century"); Phillips Maps, pp. 389, 457; Sabin 17496; Streeter sale 711; Vail 674.
Octavo (211 x 130mm). 2-page publisher's advertisement, 2 engraved folding maps (light spotting to first map). Near contemporary tree calf (rebacked preserving original spine, slight wear to corners). Provenance: stamp on title in the shape of a ship’s helm.
The first edition of the work which "had a greater influence in attracting its readers to America than any other book of the period" (Vail). Written by a French émigré who lived through the Revolutionary War, the work comprises “twelve charming letters describing life in America” (Streeter) and was one of the major American literary sensations of the 18th century. The maps provide the first detailed descriptions of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Howes C-883 ("As literature unexcelled by an American work of the eighteenth century"); Phillips Maps, pp. 389, 457; Sabin 17496; Streeter sale 711; Vail 674.
Octavo (211 x 130mm). 2-page publisher's advertisement, 2 engraved folding maps (light spotting to first map). Near contemporary tree calf (rebacked preserving original spine, slight wear to corners). Provenance: stamp on title in the shape of a ship’s helm.