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 in the years 1804-5-6 by Order of the Government of ...

Title: 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 in the years 1804-5-6 by Order of the Government of the United States Author: Lewis, Meriwether & William Clark Place: Philadelphia Publisher: Bradford and Inskeep Date: 1814 Description: 2 volumes. xxviii, 470; x, 522 pp. 5 (of 6) copper-engraved maps. Lacking the large folding map. Introduction by Thomas Jefferson Preface by Paul Allen (8vo), period full calf, black morocco spine labels. First Edition. First edition of the 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. 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. This copy lacking the spectacular folding map (the frontispiece of Volume I), which was not inserted in all copies of the original. Graff 2477; Hill 1017; Howes L317; Sabin 40828; Streeter Sale 1777; Wagner-Camp 13:1. Several early ownership signatures, all crossed through in ink, Benjamin F. Tripp, John Bonner (bought of Salmon Hall), and another illegible signature. Lot Amendments Condition: Some wear to bindings; Volume 1 lacking free endpapers and frontispiece (folding map), another map partially detached and with some tears; foxing throughout; good. Item number: 212204