Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America

1797. IMLAY, Gilbert. A Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America: Containing a Succint Account of Its Soil, Climate, Natural History, Population, Agriculture, Manners and Customs... London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1797. xii,598,[28]pp. plus 3 folding maps and folding plan. Contemporary tree calf, rebacked in antique-style gilt-ruled calf, red morocco spine label, housed in custom green morocco-backed slipcase, inner cloth chemise. Light scattered foxing and toning, else a very good copy. HOWES I-12, "b." Streeter Sale 1525. Field 747. Thomson 632. Sabin 34358. Vail 1130. Buck 43. Clark II:41. Graff 2091. Styled "Third edition, with great additions." "The most complete version of this work, in which form it was the most informative compilation on the West at the end of the 18th century" - Streeter. "...The most complete information on the trans-Allegany frontier..."- Howes. This third edition of Imlay's work adds so much material to the earlier editions as to make it a completely different work, embellished with important maps. Here he gives the complete texts of Filson's famous treatise on Kentucky, and that of Hutchins on Florida, Louisiana and Virginia, as well as an account of Indians, Indian corn, ancient earthworks, the soil in the Genesee country, Patrick Kennedy's journal up the Illinois River, a reprint of A Short Description Of The State Of Tennassee [sic] which first appeared in Philadelphia the previous year, the act creating Knoxville, the 1796 treaty with Spain, and the plan of association of the North American Land Company. All of this is highlighted by "A Map of the Western Territories of the United States," "A Map of the State of Kentucky from Actual Survey by Elihu Barker of Philadelphia" and "A Map of the Tennassee [sic] Government..." The folding plan shows the falls of the Ohio River. One of the most important pieces of Americana of the late 18th century.