Colden, Cadwallader D.

Memoir, Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York and Presented to the Mayor of the City, at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York Canals. [with:] Appendix, Containing an Account of the Commemoration of the Completion of the Erie Canal ... New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York by W. A. Davis, 1825 [-1826]



4to (9 5/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 245 x 193 mm). 45 engraved and lithographed plates including portraits, 2 large folding hand-colored maps, and views, 8 facsimiles of testimonial letters by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette; some browning and foxing throughout, minor tears at edge of maps not affecting image, clean tear in page 155 affecting, but not obscuring text, offsetting from plates. Contemporary red straight-grain morocco gilt presentation binding from the City of New York to William de Yonghe, Dutch consul at Leghorn, spine richly gilt, edges gilt, signed in gilt by the binder "Wilson & Nichols Bind. N.Y." at foot of spine; extremities rubbed, head and foot of spine worn.

Gavan Morrill (presentation inscription in Italian, dated "Firenze, 26 Ott. 1949" on front endleaf)

Howes C-562

some browning and foxing throughout, minor tears at edge of maps not affecting image, clean tear in page 155 affecting, but not obscuring text, offsetting from plates.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Celebrating the opening of the Erie Canal. An elaborate record of the ceremonies on the official completion of the canal, one of the first books published in the U.S. to be extensively illustrated with lithography. The plates include views of the harbor with ships forming a procession, maps of the waterways in the United States and in New York State, views of the canal and locks, facsimiles of official documents given upon admission to trade guilds, badges and emblems of the societies of saddlers, house painters, chair-makers, rope-makers, and a series of fire engines.