Voyage des Capitaines Lewis et Clarke, depuis l'Embouchure du Missouri, jusqu'à l'Entré de la Colombia dans l'Océan Pacifique

Author: Patrick Gass (1771-1870)

Year: 1810

Publisher: Chez Arthus-Bertrand

Place: Paris

Description:

xviii+443 pages with folding copper-engraved map. Octavo (8¼" x 5"), early half calf-backed boards, morocco lettering piece. Translated by A.J.N. Lallemant. (Graff 1519; Howes G77; Wagner-Camp 6:3; Wheat Transmississippi 300.) First French Edition.

First publication in a foreign language of any detailed information of the Lewis and Clark expedition, of especial interest to the French, since it was through lands they had so recently laid claim to. Perhaps more notable, however, is the presence of the map by J.B. Tardieu, "Carte Pour servir au Voyage des Capes. Lewis et Clarke..." which seems to be the first one published that mentions Lewis and Clark and locates parts of their route. It measures 24x19.5 cm (9½x7¾"). Wheat notes that "Tardieu had no Lewis and Clark map to assist him, but he apparently had at hand Meriwether Lewis's brief letter-report to Jefferson, and he did his best to locate on his map at least a few of the Expedition's points of geographic interest. His available topography, based as it was on Soulard, was both skimpy and erroneous, but his use of the quoted legends showed much ingenuity." Warren Heckrotte comments that "This is the first map which mentions Lewis and Clarke (in the title)..." This French edition also adds two letters of William Clark not published in other editions of Gass; that of April 2, 1805 from Fort Mandan, written to William Henry Harrison; and that of Sept 23, 1806 upon returning, written to his brother. The second letter is listed separately in Wagner-Camp and had various periodical appearances, but first appears in book form herein.

Condition:

Joints starting to crack, chips to spine head and label; half-title with top one inch clipped off, map with some darkening, corners bumped else very good..