This is the first Irish edition (third overall) of this famous narrative by the American naturalist William Bartram. Based upon his travels between 1773-78, the narrative recounts his four year odyssey exploring the American Southeast and the plants and wildlife he encountered. Bartram also describes his contacts with various Indian tribes including the Creek, Cherokee and Choctaw. Sabin describes it as "unequalled [sic.] for its vivid picturesqueness of its descriptions of nature, scenery, and productions." Included with the text is a frontispiece portrait of Mico Chlucco, 7 engraved illustrations of plants and animals, and a small map entitled A Map of the Coast of East Florida, from the River St. John, Southward to near Cape Canaveral (6.0 x 9.5"). The map covers the coast of northeastern Florida and was based on the survey of East and West Florida by Bernard Romans and George Gauld in 1771-1772. It is one of the few detailed maps of this region that was published in the early Spanish Period.

An important work on the American wilderness, it had great influence at the time and is a cornerstone of any American travel collection. Howes describes it as a "work of high character well meriting its wide esteem." 520 pages, seven plates, frontispiece portrait, and folding map. Rebound in quarter calf with tips over marbled boards with title label and tooling on spine.

References: Howes #B223; Sabin #3870.

Condition: B+

The folding map has light offsetting and the plates have occasional scattered foxing. Text is clean and tight. Modern binding is near fine.