EN RESA TIL NORRA AMERICA

Book Description

Stockholm: Lars Salvii, 1753/56/61.. Three volumes. [24],484,[20]; [2],526,[22]; [2],538,[14]pp. plus folding plate. 12mo. Three quarter antique-style calf and marbled boards, gilt leather labels. Bookplate removed from front pastedowns. A few light fox marks and some scattered tanning. A very good set. The very rare first edition of this important early work on American natural history, in the original Swedish. This is the only complete edition, as the text was abridged to varying degrees in later editions. Kalm, a noted Swedish botanist, travelled through North America from 1748 to 1751 to study the flora and collect specimens of plants in order to determine whether they were candidates for propagation in Sweden. Commissioned by the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences and urged by Linnaeus, Kalm visited Philadelphia, Germantown, Wilmington, New Bristol, Trenton, Princeton, New York, Salem, Rapaapo, Albany, Saratoga, Fort Anne, Lake Champlain, Montreal, Quebec, Lorette, Bay St. Paul, and Sault au Recollet. His narrative includes observations on the natives and their customs, religion, and social institutions. "Most trustworthy description of Swedish settlements in 18th century Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania" - Howes. This edition contains a few illustrations in the text and a folding view of Cohoes Falls. HOWES K5, "b". BELL K6. JCB I:1003. SABIN 36986. TAXONOMIC LITERATURE 3493. WINSOR V, p.244. Coats, THE PLANT HUNTERS, pp.277-79.

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.