"THE GREAT AUTHORITY OF THE PERIOD": 1799 FIRST EDITION OF WELD'S TRAVELS THROUGH THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, RICHLY ILLUSTRATED, WITH LARGE HAND-COLORED FOLDING MAP

WELD, Isaac. Travels through the States of North America, and the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, During the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797. London: John Stockdale, 1799. Quarto, contemporary full diced tan calf rebacked with original elaborately gilt-decorated spine laid down, raised bands, all edges marbled. $4800.

First edition of this fascinating account of "all the adventures incident to passing through an unsettled country," with two maps (one folding and hand-colored in outline), plans of the cities of Washington and Quebec, and 12 full-page copper-engraved plates of scenic views, including "The Horse-Shoe Fall of Niagara."

Weld arrived in America in 1795 at the age of 19 and, "accompanied by a faithful servant, sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot or in a canoe, he made his way (often under the guidance of Indians) through the vast forests and along the great rivers. He narrowly escaped shipwreck on Lake Erie and experienced all the adventures incident to passing through an unsettled country. While in the towns he mixed in the best society, and had the privilege of meeting George Washington" (Cox). The journey took him through Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York and then "from Montreal to Quebec, thence up to St. Lawrence and the lakes to Kingston, Niagara and Detroit, with comment on the country, its settlement and administration. Weld, an Irishman, came to explore the possibilities of Canada and the United States as fields for Irish emigration" (Staton & Tremaine). Weld's travels are told through a series of 38 letters, chronicling the two years he spent in North America, and was one of the most popular narratives of the day. Translated into many languages, Weld's account "was regarded as the great authority of the period on American subjects" (Allibone III, 2636). Includes examinations of taverns, slave conditions, tobacco cultivation, and Indian tribes. "In the first edition, the view of the Hudson River is incorrectly designated on the plate itself, and in the list of plates, as 'View on [or of] the Patowmac River from Mount Vernon.' A number of copies have an erratum slip noting the error pasted at the foot of the list of plates, or facing it" Sabin 102541. This copy has no erratum slip, suggesting it may be among the earliest copies, preceding the discovery of the error. Without publisher's advertisements. A second edition, in two volumes, was also published in 1799. Sabin 102541. Howes W235. Cox II, 176. Staton & Tremaine 708. Stevens 2808. Stiles 1921. Lowndes, 2868. Rich 1799. In a royal armorial binding, possibly from Carlton House, the residence of George IV during the regency, with a royal armorial bookplate.

Mild dampstaining to top edge of frontispiece and title page, text fairly clean, with modest foxing to maps and plates, one leaf with minor expert paper repair; handsome contemporary binding with light wear.