Adventures in the Wilds of the United States and British American Provinces by Charles Lanman, First American Edition, Two Volume Set, 1856

Lanman, Charles. Adventures in the Wilds of the United States and British American Provinces. Philadelphia: John W. Moore, 1856. 2 volumes, 8vo. In original red cloth pictorial gilt boards. Illustrated with ten engraved plates. With new archival cloth slipcase.

This is the first American edition of Charles Lanman’s Adventures in the WIlds of the United States and British American Provinces. Published in two volumes by John W. Moore of Philadelphia, this American edition was preceded by an 1854 edition published in London. The American edition was expanded by three extra travel narratives, in addition to the four published in the first British edition. This two volume set is presented here in the original publisher’s red cloth pictorial gilt boards. 

The book chronicles Lanman's travels and his hunting and fishing excursions in North America in the 1830s and 1840s. The book includes a trip to the head of the Mississippi, a tour of the river Saguenay in Canada, hunting in the Allegheny mountains, an excursion in western Maryland and Virginia, and a trip from Washington to Florida, New Orleans and back up the Mississippi. Lanman meant for this work to act as "a kind of cyclopedia of American scenery, personal adventure, and of traveling incidents, calculated to exhibit the manners and customs of our people, and interest the lovers of natural history and the various arts of sporting." 

The book is illustrated , with ten of the original twelve engraved plates still intact. The plates included in this two volume set are: "Trying his Luck," "The Voyageur's Camp," "Duck Shooting in Michigan," "The Dead Moose," "The Papineau Falls,” "Athol House," "Spearing Salmon," "View on the St. John, Florida," "Group of Game Fish," and "Winter Fishing on the St. Lawrence."

CONDITION:

Good condition. 2 volumes, Octavo. In original red cloth pictorial gilt boards. Boards have wear to the extremities, darkening to spine, and minor stains. Interior pages are good, with only some toning and spotting. Illustrated with 10 of the 12 issued tissue-guarded plates, including "Trying his Luck," "The Voyageur's Camp," "Duck Shooting in Michigan," "The Dead Moose," "The Papineau Falls,” "Athol House," "Spearing Salmon," "View on the St. John, Florida," "Group of Game Fish," and "Winter Fishing on the St. Lawrence." Plates lacking are "Lake Pepin" and "Bluffs on Lake Superior". Volume II has 8pp. of publisher's advertisements. Previous owners signature “Charles C. Wakely" in black ink on the full title page.

Book Dimensions: Two volumes, 9 5/16" H x 6 7/16" W x 1 7/16" D (each). With new archival cloth slipcase with inlaid image of Lanman.