v, [5], 408, [2] pp. Illustrated with hand-colored maps, portraits, engraved & lithographic plates, being 46 plates in all (the 47th plate on the list of instructions to the binder refers to the arms of New York City incorporated into the binding design); plus 8 facsimile manuscript letters bound at end; includes plates by George Catlin. (4to) 24.4x19.5 cm (9½x7¾"), original full red morocco presentation binding elaborately stamped in gilt and blind, presentation in gilt on front cover: "Presented by the City of New York to Joshua Secor", all edges gilt. First Edition.
One of the first recorded American books illustrated with lithographs, this one being produced from Anthony Imbert's company, following Grammar of Botany produced by Barnet & Doolittle in 1822 & a plate produced for the Analectic Magazine in 1819. A highly important book, commemorating the greatest feat in early American engineering history, the opening of the Erie Canal connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, among some 400 miles or more of canal-building. Also contains magnificent lithographic plates drawn by George Catlin, including the superbly illustrated Lockport plates "Deep Cutting" and "Entrance to the Harbour," along with views of Buffalo, and notably a number of fire engines and engine companies. Additionally there are the hand-colored folding maps, one of the United States with the West dominated with a huge Oregon Territory and Mexico (which includes New Albion), and a map of the state of New York, also hand-colored. Peters, America..., pp.228-232; Pearce, Early... 66; Howes C562. Presented to Joshua Secor in 1825; ownership markings of Jotham S. Fountain, 1842; E.A. Fountain, 1876; & George Paulding Parrott, 1897.
Condition:
Binding worn at extremities and with some scuffing, hinges cracked; map of United States with long repaired tear and small fill at top edge extending briefly into map, folding View of the Fleet (p. 187) with some irregular creasing, chips and tears, long tear to Pilots' Charitable Society plate (p. 204), plates called for at pages 207 & 209 are actually located at pages 235 & 237, folding plate "Geological Section of the Canal" (p. 293) lacking half, plates at pages 293, 298, 307, & 309 have been trimmed and mounted to backing sheets, plate at p. 309 with some chips at right margin, plate of the Eagle Fire Engine with a long early stitched repair; some foxing, browning and offsetting; overall very good.