“THE GREAT AUTHORITY OF THE PERIOD”: 1799 FIRST EDITION OF WELD’S TRAVELS THROUGH THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, RICHLY ILLUSTRATED, WITH LARGE FOLDING HAND-COLORED 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 brown calf gilt, raised bands.

First edition, first issue, with 12 copper-engraved plates, two maps (one folding hand-colored), and plans of the cities of Washington and Quebec, in contemporary calf.

Weld arrived in America in 1795 at the age of 19; “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 II:176). 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, 708). Weld’s travels are told through a series of 38 letters, chronicled the two years he spent in North America, and was one of the most popular narratives of the day. As one of the major reports on the area west of the Appalachian Mountains, Travels through the States of North America encouraged Easterners to travel to the great untamed West. Translated into French, German, and many other languages, Weld’s account “was regarded as the great authority of the period on American subjects” (Allibone 3:2636). Includes examination of taverns, slave conditions, tobacco cultivation, Indians, etc. First issue, with incorrect labeling of plate showing the Hudson River as “The Patowmac River from Mount Vernon.” Without errata slip and publisher’s advertisements. Sabin 102541. Howes W235. Stevens 2808. Stiles 1921. Lowndes 2868. Rich 1799. Armorial bookplate.

Small closed tear and repair at map stub of lovely folding map, scattered light dampstaining to text and some plates, generally quite clean; joints expertly repaired, restoration to base of spine. An extremely good and very handsomely bound copy.