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 and Abm. H. Inskeep, New York, 1814



2 volumes, 8vo (8 ½ x 5 ¼ in; 215 x130 mm). 5 (of 6) engraved maps and plates; folding map supplied in photo-facsimile; light scattered spotting, less so in vol.1, modern owner's address label affixed to upper margin of vol.1 title with another on vol.2 pastedown; later endpapers of vol.2 chipped or torn with old taper repairs, newspaper obituaries of Clark's death glued to front end papers vol.1.  Mid 19^{th century three-quarter black morocco and marbled boards, spines blind ruled and titled in gilt; disparate marbling between vols. 1 and 2, joints and extremities rubbed, vol.2 spine faded, boards generally edge worn with large spot of exposure to upper cover of vol. 1, two small wormholes to bottom of upper joint vol.2.}

Marshall J. Bidwell (ms. exlibris on free endpaper)

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

2 volumes, 8vo (8 ½ x 5 ¼ in; 215 x130 mm). 5 (of 6) engraved maps and plates; folding map supplied in photo-facsimile; light scattered spotting, less so in vol.1, modern owner's address label affixed to upper margin of vol.1 title with another on vol.2 pastedown; later endpapers of vol.2 chipped or torn with old taper repairs, newspaper obituaries of Clark's death glued to front end papers vol.1. Mid 19th century three-quarter black morocco and marbled boards, spines blind ruled and titled in gilt; disparate marbling between vols. 1 and 2, joints and extremities rubbed, vol.2 spine faded, boards generally edge worn with large spot of exposure to upper cover of vol. 1, two small wormholes to bottom of upper joint vol.2.
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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.