The Western Journals of Washington Irving

Norman: Univeristy of Oaklahoma Press, 1944 Book. Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. First edition. Edited and Annotated by John Francis McDermott. Pp. xiii, [1], 201. Eight plates, folding map. Notes, appendices, bibliography, index. Tan cloth lettered in gilt. A fine copy with dust jacket (extremities of jacket a bit rubbed, light chipping to spine ends, some tape repair to rear). Scarce. Having been away in Europe for seventeen years, Irving finally returned to America in 1832. Irving was invited, along with the Englishman Charles Joseph Latrobe and the Swiss Count de Pourtalès, to accompany Henry Leavitt Ellsworth, one of the Indian commissioners, on a visit to the country west of the Arkansas set apart for the emigrating Indians. The five extant journals of this trip, here published for the first time, are well-annotated by McDermott who provides a 66 page historical introduction. The Journals detail the trip from St. Louis to Independence, Missouri, through present day Oklahoma to Fort Gibson, Arkansas and through the Osage country, traveling by way of the present communities of Tulsa, Keystone, Ingalls, Guthrie, Norman, Shawnee, Okmulgee, and returning to Fort Gibson. Part of these complete journals were the basis for Irving's Tour of the Prairies. This copy with publisher's presentation notice tipped in, "The University of Oklahoma Pres... Takes pleasure in presenting this copy for review and asks that you send three clippings of your notice". .