First Edition of the "Most Reliable of the Early Guides to Oregon" Together with Two Works by Famed Abolitionists
Journal of Travels over the Rocky Mountains, to the Mouth of the Columbia River. Made during the Years 1845 and 1846: Containing Minute DCincinnatiescriptions of the Valleys of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Clamet.
Cincinnati: J. A. & U. P. James, 1847.
Full Description:
PALMER, Joel. Journal of Travels over the Rocky Mountains, to the Mouth of the Columbia River. Made during the Years 1845 and 1846: Containing Minute DCincinnatiescriptions of the Valleys of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Clamet; A General Description of Oregon Territory; its Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Productions, etc., etc.; A List of Necessary Outfits for Emigrants; and a Table of Distances from Camp to Camp on the Route. Also a Letter from the Rev. H. H. Spalding, resident Missionary, for the last ten years among the Nez Percé Tribe of Indians, on the Koos-koos-kee River; The Organic Laws of Oregon Territory; Tables of about 300 words of the Chinook Jargon, and about 200 words of the Nez Percé Language; a Description of Mount Hood; Incidents of Travel, &c., &c. Cincinnati: J. A. & U. P. James, 1847.
First edition, second issue without the errata slip sometimes found tipped in at page 189, and with the corrected text on pages 31 and 121. Twelvemo (6 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches; 170 x 110 mm). [2, blank], xiii, [9]-189, [1, blank] pp.
"[The] most reliable of the early guides to Oregon; in addition, the best narrative by a participant in the overland migration of 1845, which more than doubled the population of Oregon." (Howes).
"Joel Palmer traveled overland in the huge 1845 wave of emigrants to Oregon, which more than doubled the white population of the territory. He kept a journal full of detailed observations and practical information about the route, and after his return home to Laurel, Indiana, in July of 1846, he prepared his manuscript for publication, although it did not come from the press until late in the spring of 1847. Palmer's journal has been called the best account of the Oregon Trail, and it was used as a guide to the route. Palmer himself also led companies of emigrants to Oregon in the late 1840s. All the copies of this work contain the same material from pages 9 to 189, but the preliminaries vary. Some copies in the original wrappers contain only one leaf following the title page, which is the leaf of publisher's advertisement. Other copies, such as this one, have three leaves, which also contain the index and a page of dedication to the pioneers of the West." (Hill) Present copy as in the Hill copy contains 3 leaves after the title-page.
Hill 1287. Howes P-46. Sabin 58358. Streeter 3146. Wagner-Camp 136:1.
[bound together with]:
BURLEIGH, Charles C. Thoughts on the Death Penalty. Philadelphia: Merrihew and Thompson, 1845.
First edition. 144 pp. We could find no other copies of this or any edition on Rare Book Hub since 1997.
"An ardent abolitionist and journalist, Burleigh was vocal against Connecticut’s 'Black Law' and became editor of the Unionist, originally published in defense of Prudence Crandall’s school. Eccentric in dress and with a flowing beard he vowed not to remove until the end of slavery, Burleigh turned his back on a professional career to become agent and lecturer for the Middlesex Anti-Slavery. He was a regular contributor to the Liberator and one of the editors of the Pennsylvania Freeman... In 1845 he published a pamphlet, Thoughts on the Death Penalty, condemning capital punishment. He participated in the 1850 National Woman’s Rights Convention in Worcester, MA and was a woman’s rights man throughout his life." (David Ruggles Center).
Sabin 9324.
[and]:
HILDRETH, Richard. The Slave: or Memoirs of Archy Moore. Boston: Mass. Anti-Slavery Society, 1840.
Third edition (stated) of one of the first antislavery novels. Two volumes bound in one. 125, [1, blank], 115, [1, blank] pp. A tiny red label on title-page of first volume.
"Lawyer, writer, and historian, Richard Hildreth served on the 1850 Boston Vigilance Committee. In addition to his work as a lawyer, Hildreth became a prolific writer and historian, as well as an active abolitionist. He served as editor of the Boston Atlas and the temperance newsletter The Boston Spy. He wrote articles for such publications as Boston Magazine and New England Magazine. Longer works by Hildreth include... the fictional Archy Moore, the White Slave; or, Memoirs of a Fugitive, one of the first antislavery novels. Following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, Hildreth joined the Boston Vigilance Committee. This organization assisted freedom seekers coming to and through Boston on the Underground Railroad." (National Parks Service).
Three titles bound together in full original sheep. Spine ruled in gilt. Red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. All edges speckled red. Boards a bit rubbed and scuffed. Leaves are toned and a bit soiled. Previous owner's signature on front free endpaper, dated 1878. The Burleigh with some minimal marginalia and underscoring. Title-page of the Hildreth trimmed close at bottom margin, just touching date. Top and bottom margins of Burleigh trimmed close, sometimes touching page number. Page 103 and 105 with closed tears, but with no loss. Overall a very good copy of all titles and one of the best copies of the first edition of Palmer to come on the market in many years.
HBS 69566.
$10,000.
Price: $10,000.00
Item #69566