Description
First English edition of The Travels of Capts. Lewis & Clarke, published anonymously in 1809 and known as the Unauthorized Edition. Octavo, ix, [1], 309pp. Includes Jefferson’s message and the following chapters: New Travels Among the Indians, A Statistical View, Historical Sketches, Origin and Observations. Contemporary marbled boards, title in gilt over red label on spine, decorative bands, contemporary endpapers. Lacking the scarce advertisements found in only a handful of editions. Foldout map affixed opposite title page from Samuel John Neele, engraver of the 1814 map for the First London Edition of Travels to the Source and dated Sep. 12th, 1809. Some light toning to the map, otherwise a near fine example. (Literature Lewis & Clark 4A.2) (Sabin 40827) (Howes L321)
Comments: In 1809, in response to overwhelming demand for an official account of the Lewis & Clark expedition, publishers in Philadelphia and London published almost identical accounts The Travels of Capts. Lewis & Clarke. The Philadelphia edition assumes priority over the London edition, with the publication date of the Philadelphia edition in April and the London edition in September. These works become known as the “Counterfeit Editions” or “Unauthorized Editions.”
