An Account of Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi, and through the Western Parts of Louisiana, to the Sources of the Arkansaw, Kans, La Platte, and Pierre Jaun Rivers

PIKE, Zebulon Montgomery (1779-1813), KING, Nicholas (1771-1812, Cartographer), NAU, Anthony (fl. 19 century, Cartographer), SHALLUS, Francis (1774-1821, Engraver)

Edité par C. and A. Conrad, and Co. of Philadelphia; Somervell and Conrad of Petersborough; Bonsal, Conrad, and Co. of Norfolk; and Fielding Lucas, Jr., of Baltimore. Printed by John Binns, Philadelphia, 1810

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Text: [2] [1]-277 [5] 1-65 [1] [1]-53 [1] [1]-87 [1]. 492 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Pike, Letterpress Title, Deposit Statement, To the Public, To the President, Pike's Expeditions Part I-III, Appendices to Parts I-III. Atlas: 6 engraved maps, 5 of which are folding. 3 folding tables. Text volume in contemporary tree calf expertly re-backed to style, spine in six gilt-ruled compartments with gilt calf lettering-piece in second, gilt date in sixth, and blind center tool in rest. Atlas volume in contemporary quarter calf with tips over original blue paper boards with printed paper label, spine in seven gilt-ruled compartments with gilt red morocco lettering-piece in second, gilt date in sixth, and blind center tool One of the most important of all American travel narratives; Pike's account contains the first maps to incorporate geographical knowledge of the Southwest based on first-hand exploration. It is a milestone in the mapping of the American West. [Wheat] Here in the rarest and most desirable form with the plates and maps in a quarto atlas. Pike's narrative, along with that of Long, and Lewis and Clark, is one of the most significant early books on the exploration of the American West. As such it is a cornerstone of Western Americana. In particular, Streeter felt its "description of Texas is excellent." Hill gives the following summary of its contents: "In 1805, Pike was given the difficult assignment of conducting a reconnaissance of the upper Mississippi region. He was ordered to explore the headwaters of that river, to purchase sites from the Indians for further military posts, and to bring a few influential chiefs back to St. Louis for talks. The trip was only moderately successful as a mission to the tribes, but Pike was able to convey important geographical information to President Jefferson and other Washington officials. On Pike's second expedition, 1806-1807, he was assigned to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas River, then proceed south and descend the Red River from its source. Pike and his men were taken into custody by a Spanish patrol, and Pike was able to observe many areas in New Mexico, Chihuahua, and Texas. His book created interest in the Southwest and stimulated the expansionist movement in Texas." The atlas volume consists of the following maps, plus three tables: 1.) "Falls of St. Anthony." 2.) "Map of the Mississippi River from its Source to the Mouth of the Missouri, laid down from the notes of Lieutn Z. M. Pike by Anthony Nau. Reduced, and Corrected by Astronomical observations of Mr. Thompson at its source; and of Captn. M. Lewis, where it receives the waters of the Missouri." 3.) "The First Part of Captn. Pike's Chart of the Internal Parts of Louisiana. 40 miles to the inch, by Anthony Nau." 4.) "Map of the Internal Provinces of New Spain. The outlines are from the Sketches of, but corrected and improved by Captain Zebulon M. Pike, who was conducted through that Country in the year 1807, by Order of the Commandant General of those Provinces." 5.) "A Chart of the Internal Part of Louisiana. Including all hitherto unexplored Countries, lying between the River La Platte of the Missouri on the N: and the Red River on the S: the Mississippi East and the Mountains of Mexico West; with a part of New Mexico and the Province of Texas. By Z. M. Pike Captn U. S." 6.) "A Sketch of the Vice Royalty Exhibiting the several Provinces and its Approximation to the Internal Provinces of New Spain." Tables: 1.) "Recapitulation of Furs and Peltries, Fond du Lac department, Marks and Numbers as per margin. North West Company, 1804-5." 2.) "Abstract of the number, &c. of the Nations of Indians residing on the Mississippi and its confluent streams, from St. Louis, Louisiana, to its source, including Red lake and Lower Red river." 3.) "A Statistical Abstract of the nations of Indians who inhabit that part of Louisiana visited by captain Z. M. Pike, in his tour of discovery in that country, in the years 180.

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: An Account of Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi, and through the Western Parts of Louisiana, to the Sources of the Arkansaw, Kans, La Platte, and Pierre Jaun Rivers
• Éditeur: C. and A. Conrad, and Co. of Philadelphia; Somervell and Conrad of Petersborough; Bonsal, Conrad, and Co. of Norfolk; and Fielding Lucas, Jr., of Baltimore. Printed by John Binns, Philadelphia
• Date de parution: 1810
• Reliure: Couverture rigide
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Americana & Canadiana
  • Voyages & Travel
  • North America