1826 · Philadelphia
by Duane, William
Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas H. Palmer, for the autho, 1826. 632pp. plus two plates. Contemporary calf, gilt morocco label. Calf rubbed and scuffed. Titlepage a bit dusty, some offsetting from the second plate, scattered foxing. Overall, a very good copy. An interesting and thorough description of Colombia in the midst of the Latin American independence movements, by William Duane, the famed publisher of the PHILADELPHIA AURORA. Duane had been interested in Latin American affairs for decades, and was asked by several business associates to assist in settling claims against the government. He travelled to Colombia in 1822-23 and produced this lengthy work on the country, including discussions of its culture, geography, religion, trade, society, economics, governmental structure, natural history, and people. The result is an excellent examination of the country by an astute observer. The attractive aquatint plates, which show the Pass of La Cabrera and the Falls of Taquendama, are from sketches by Duane and were drawn by Thomas Birch, famous for this work with his father, William, on the pioneering American color plate book, THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. The appendix prints the constitutions of Colombia. Relatively scarce on the market. SABIN 20994. AMERICAN IMPRINTS 24368. PALAU 76275. NAYLOR 80
(Inventory #: WRCAM36465)