![LEWIS, Meriwether (1774-1809) and William CLARK (1770-1838). History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, to the Sources of the Missouri, thence across the Rocky Mountains and down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed during the years 1804--5--6. Philadelphia: [by J. Maxwell for] Bradford and Inskeep 1814.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01587_0091_000(112554).jpg?w=1)
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LEWIS, Meriwether (1774-1809) and William CLARK (1770-1838). History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, to the Sources of the Missouri, thence across the Rocky Mountains and down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed during the years 1804--5--6. Philadelphia: [by J. Maxwell for] Bradford and Inskeep 1814.
2 volumes, 8o (203 x 115 mm). 4 (of 5) engraved plates and maps. (Lacks large folding engraved map, some browning and staining throughout, volume two with upper corner of page 21 torn away, but present, small corner of page 75 torn away, affecting a few letters.) Contemporary tree sheep (covers detached, worn). Provenance: New Castle Library Company (bookplate and old ink stamp on titles and at first chapters of each volume).
FIRST EDITION. "Most important of all overland narratives," and the "definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American continent" (Wagner-Camp), including a prefatory "Life of Captain Lewis" by President Jefferson. The expedition, commissioned by Jefferson and funded by Congress in early 1803 (it cost all of $2,500), was the first exploration officially sponsored by the Federal government. Publication of Lewis's and Clark's account of the epic expedition was delayed by the appointments of both leaders to official positions in the new Louisiana Territory (Lewis as territorial Governor and Clark as Superintendent of Indian Affairs), then by Lewis's murder or suicide in 1809. This "most important of all overland narratives" (Grolier) was finally brought to press but a high proportion of the copies issued in this first printing, which is replete with errors, apparently lacked the folding map or were otherwise defective. A 1970 census by Columbia University Libraries recorded only 21 extant copies, of which several were incomplete or restored. Church 1309; Cohen Mapping the West 7; Graff 2477; Grolier American 30; Howes L-317; PMM 272; Sabin 40828; Streeter III:1777; Streeter Americana Beginnings 52; Wagner-Camp-Becker 13.1; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 316. (2)
2 volumes, 8
FIRST EDITION. "Most important of all overland narratives," and the "definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American continent" (Wagner-Camp), including a prefatory "Life of Captain Lewis" by President Jefferson. The expedition, commissioned by Jefferson and funded by Congress in early 1803 (it cost all of $2,500), was the first exploration officially sponsored by the Federal government. Publication of Lewis's and Clark's account of the epic expedition was delayed by the appointments of both leaders to official positions in the new Louisiana Territory (Lewis as territorial Governor and Clark as Superintendent of Indian Affairs), then by Lewis's murder or suicide in 1809. This "most important of all overland narratives" (Grolier) was finally brought to press but a high proportion of the copies issued in this first printing, which is replete with errors, apparently lacked the folding map or were otherwise defective. A 1970 census by Columbia University Libraries recorded only 21 extant copies, of which several were incomplete or restored. Church 1309; Cohen Mapping the West 7; Graff 2477; Grolier American 30; Howes L-317; PMM 272; Sabin 40828; Streeter III:1777; Streeter Americana Beginnings 52; Wagner-Camp-Becker 13.1; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 316. (2)