Long, John

Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter and Trader, Describing the Manners and Customs of the North American Indians; with an Account of the Posts Situated on the River Saint Laurence, Lake Ontario, &c. to which is Added, a Vocabulary of the Chippeway Language. Names of Furs and Skins, in English and French. A List of Words in the Iroquois, Mohegan, Shawanee, and Esquimeaux Tongues. London: Printed for the Author, 1791



4to (11 5/8 x 9 1/4 in.; 295 x 235 mm, uncut), printed on paper with a faint bluish tint. Folding engraved frontispiece map of the Great Lakes region of Canada, 4-page list of subscribers, errata leaf; some light offsetting on map and title-page, edges of title-page browned. Original boards; stained, worn, significant loss to spine, front board detached, text block separated between gatherings pi and A. White buckram folding-case.

Henry Willoughby, 5th Baron Middleton (signature, "Lord Middleton | Wollaton" on title-page)

Ayer, Indian Linguistics Algonkin 28, Chippewa 128 and 150; Field 946; Graff 2527; Howes L443; Lande 1289; Sabin 41878; Streeter sale 7:3651; Vail, Old Frontier 878

First edition. John Long spent nineteen years (1768–87) as a fur trader and trapper for the Hudson's Bay Company. He traveled widely, was knowledgeable about the country, and was frequently in the company of Native Americans. His narrative and vocabulary form "the most valuable record of Indian life and the fur trade of the period" (Vail). Internally an unusually fine copy, with distinguished contemporary provenance.