Lewis, Meriwether & William Clark

History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, to the Sources of the Missouri, thence across the Rocky Mountains and down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed during the years 1804-5-6. Philadelphia: [J. Maxwell at New York for] Bradford and Inskeep, 1814



2 volumes, 8vo (8 ¼ x 5 in.; 210 x 127 mm). Large folding engraved "Map of Lewis and Clark's Track, Across the Western Portion of North America," engraved by Samuel Harrison after Clark, 5 other engraved plates and maps; some foxing throughout, carefully washed, upper blank fore-margin of second volume title renewed, large map with ¾ inch hole at right edge affecting frame with latitude marks and two smaller holes with minimal loss mounted on linen. Three-quarter calf, gold-stamped title on spines.

Nathaniel Richardson (contemporary ms. exlibris on both titles)

Church 1309; Graff 2477; Grolier/American 30; Howes L-317; PMM 272; Sabin 40828; Wagner-Camp-Becker 13:1

First edition of the "definitive account of the most important exploration of the north american continent" (Wagner–Camp).

The expedition was funded by Congress for the purpose of establishing trading ties with the Indians of the western region. Besides accomplishing this goal, the explorers greatly broadened the geographical knowledge of the West, and demonstrated the feasibility of transcontinental travel. The expedition made its way from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back between spring 1804 and fall 1806. A number of circumstances, including their appointment to official positions in the new Louisiana Territory and Lewis's mysterious death, conspired to delay the publication of the official narrative of their travels for eight years.

The American edition was compiled from the Lewis and Clark journals by Paul Allen and contains a prefatory "Life of Captain Lewis" by Thomas Jefferson.