2 vols. xxviii, 470; ix, 522 pp. Illus. with 6 copper-engraved maps, 1 folding. 8½x5, 19th century half black sheep & cloth, spines ruled and lettered in gilt. First Edition.
This copy formerly belonged to Elwood Evans, secretary to Isaac Ingalls Stevens, first governor of Washington Territory, and himself the third governor of the territory first explored by Lewis and Clark, and its most notable early historian. Inscribed on the title-page of the first volume, "Presented by James Paul of Montgy. Co. Penna. to Elwood Evans Esq. of Washington Territory in the 83rd year of my age 1862." There is a similar inscription on the front flyleaf each volume, and Paul has signed the title-page of Vol. II, and the front flyleaf of Vol. II. Two rubberstamps of Elwood Evans are on the title-page of Vol. I, and one on that of Vol. II, and the bindings have the name E. Evans stamped in gilt to the foot of the spines. Official account of the most famous and most important expedition of exploration in U.S. history, a monumental undertaking executed with unbelievable skill and bravery forever embedded in the American consciousness. Derived from the journals of Lewis and Clark and other members of the expedition, the work is a rich mine of new information about a previously unexplored region. Originally expected to be published shortly after the return of the expedition in 1806, the work was delayed by a number of circumstances, including Lewis's death in 1809, and Clark's various government appointments. Although Paul Allen is listed as the editor, the major work was actually done by Nicholas Biddle, a gifted young Philadelphia lawyer who was unable to complete the final portion of the work due to his election as a state legislator, and he enlisted Paul Allen for the task. Allen's major contribution, according to Cutright, was to induce Thomas Jefferson to write a biographical sketch of Captain Lewis in tribute to his former secretary and hero of the expedition who took his own life (some say he was murdered) four years before the publication of this history. The important folding map, showing the northern half of the present U.S. from the Mississippi westward, was not issued in all copies, but is present in this one. Graff 2477; Hill, Pacific Voyages, p.180; Howes L317; Streeter Sale 1777; Wagner-Camp 13:1.
Condition:
Minor rubbing to the spines and corners, spine heads lightly chipped; usual foxing to the contents, folding map with a few stained or discolored patches, several expert repairs; tear to pp. 249-50 of Vol. I, otherwise very good or better, rarely found in nicer condition, with important provenance.