(iii)-xvii, [1], 455, [8] pp. Half-title not retained when rebound. Illustrated from drawings and paintings by Kane, including 8 chromolithograph plates by Vincent Brooks and 13 woodcuts in the text; folding copper-engraved map hand-colored in outline. (8vo) 22x14 cm. (8¾x5½"), later polished half calf and cloth, spine gilt, gilt leather label, top edge gilt. First Edition.
Born in Ireland, Kane came to Canada with his parents as a child, studied art in the United States, France and Italy, and returned to Canada in 1845, beginning at once to travel extensively and paint scenes of wilderness life. He made several trips through the wilderness of Canada and the Pacific Northwest, the most extensive one in the company of Sir George Simpson beginning in 1846, traveling to the Red River, Norway House, up the Saskatchewan to Fort Assiniboine, then on to Jasper's House and across the Rockies to the Columbia, arriving at Fort Vancouver on December 8 of that year; he departed the following summer, and spent another year wandering before returning to his home. His excellent depictions of Native Americans are reproduced in striking chromolithography, and place Kane with Catlin, Bodmer and Miller as among the few trained artists who were able to capture the western Indians before the obliteration of their culture. Graff notes the "excellent impressions of the fine plates," and remarks that the text is based on the author's journal put into narrative form. According to Tweney, Kane spent time with the Whitmans at Walla Walla in 1847, warning them of pending danger from the Indians, and sketched the only known likeness of Dr. Whitman made from life. Abbey Travel 663; Field 811; Howes K7; Peel 212; Sabin 37007; Smith 5392; Streeter 3727; Tweney 38; Wagner-Camp 332:1. Bookplate of Milton W. Smith on front endpaper.