Beschreibung:

Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains, to the Columbia River, and a Visit to the Sandwich Islands, Chili, &c... Author: Townsend, John K. Provenance: From the collection of Shawn Donnille Place Published: Philadelphia Publisher: Henry Perkins Date Published: 1839 Description: viii, [9]-352 pp. Includes a scientific appendix. (8vo) 23.3x14.5 cm (9¼x5¾"), ornately blind-stamped plum cloth, spine lettered in gilt and decorated in blind. First Edition First edition of "one of the most important contributions to the history of early western North American exploration" (Bruns). The author was a member of Capt. N.J. Wyeth's party which left Missouri in April, 1894. An ornithologist, Townsend's narrative includes first descriptions of many of the birds we now recognize as typical of the region. "Townsend also gives in-depth observations of the manners and customs of the Indians and of the lives of the fur traders in the Columbia region. On the return trip, Tahiti and Juan Fernandez Island were visited" (Hill). Bookplate of Paschall Morris with gift inscription on front free endpaper by his sister Sarah, dated May 7, 1839. Bruns T 60; Howes T 319; Hill, p. 292-3. Condition: Sunning to spine with some fading to gilt lettering; some foxing, rear endpapers with vertical grid lines drawn on them; very good overall. Item#: 367786 Headline: With Townsend across the Rocky Mountains