Basil Hall, a captain in the Royal Navy, traveled from Boston down the coast to Charleston and Savannah, west to Louisiana, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, east through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and along the Erie Canal through New York, and up to Quebec and Montreal. He recorded his travels with etchings made with the camera lucida - an optical aid for drawing that allowed the artist to draw an image in true perspective. The book is illustrated with 40 etchings (two per page) with descriptions on opposite pages and a folding hand-colored map of the region showing his route. The etchings include very early views of Buffalo, Rochester, Peterborough, Riceborough, Columbus and New Orleans. Also includes interesting sketches of Indians, Niagara Falls, Erie Canal, slave drivers, riverboats, a stagecoach and much else of interest. First edition, large slim 4to, original paper-covered boards. Published by Cadell & Co.

References: Howes H46.

Condition: C

Covers rubbed, lightly soiled and detached, lacking spine. Light scattered foxing to plates. Map with light damp stains in blank margins and a bit of slight offsetting.