2 volumes. [6], viii, cxxvi, 113; [2], [115]-392 pp. With stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Mackenzie & 3 folding engraved maps. (8vo) 23x13 cm (9x5¼"), contemporary calf, later leather spine labels. Second American Edition, two-volume issue.
Rare two-volume issue of the Philadelphia octavo edition of Mackenzie's voyages, with all three maps as the London quarto first edition, not just the single map of the New York and Philadelphia one-volume issues. As Wagner-Camp notes when describing the Philadelphia edition, "Copies of this edition exist bound in two volumes, each with a title page, and carrying the three maps as is 1:1." Mackenzie's account of the first white men to cross the American continent north of Mexico, important not only for the geographic knowledge attained but also for the revealing ethnological studies of the inhabitants encountered. Preceded by the London edition published in 1801, a reprint, and a Paris and New York edition in 1802. The maps in this copy are:
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Map of America between latitudes 40 and 70 north and longitudes 45 and 180 west.
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A Map of MacKenzie's track from Fort Chipewyan in 1789
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A Map of MacKenzie's track from Fort Chipewyan to the Pacific Ocean in 1793.
The portrait and the 3 maps are identical to those in the first London edition. Henry Stevens Catalogue of Rare Americana, 1926, states that "perfect copies of this [2 vol.] Philadelphia edition are exceedingly rare". The two-volume set was taken by Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
References: Howes M-133. W-C 1:5. CS-G 2631. W-TW
Condition:
Bindings worn, abraded and somewhat splayed, the wear being particularly heavy to the spines; endpapers replaced, minor splits to one hinge, light occasional foxing and fingering to textblocks; offsetting, tears and worming to maps; good condition overall.