1804. · London
by [Jefferson, Thomas]: [Sibley, John]
London: Reprinted for John Hatchard, 1804.. [2],43pp., including folding table on p.41. Later 19th century three-quarter gilt-tooled morocco and marbled boards, spine gilt. Spine and corners rather scuffed and worn, bookplate on front pastedown. Light scattered foxing, most pronounced on the titlepage. Overall a very good copy. The rare first British edition, after the first American of the previous year. One of the most important documents of the post- Louisiana Purchase period. Based on material assembled by Thomas Jefferson, this publication provided basic knowledge of Louisiana to a country hungry to hear about it, and in this edition to an overseas audience as well. It was the first real account of the vast new western territory to become available to the American people, and as such, the magnitude of its importance is obvious. It provides details of geography, inhabitants, Indians, laws, agriculture, and navigation. Howes suggests that the compiler of this work was John Sibley, a surgeon's assistant in the Revolutionary War who eventually became a Louisiana State Senator. This copy features the bookplate of A.J. Tullock, an engineer from Rockport, Illinois in the latter part of the 19th century who became sole owner of the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. HOWES L493. SABIN 42178. WAGNER-CAMP 2b:13. REESE, FEDERAL HUNDRED 96 (ref). REESE, BEST OF THE WEST 26 (ref).
(Inventory #: WRCAM57075)