Catalog Archive
Auction 163, Lot 439

"[2 Volumes] A Pilgrimage in Europe and America, Leading to the Discovery of the Sources of the Mississippi and Bloody River; with a Description of the Whole Course of the Former, and of the Ohio"

Subject: Exploration and Surveys

Period: 1828 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
5.9 x 9.2 inches
15 x 23.4 cm
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This second edition, two volume set was written by Giacomo Constantino Beltrami and printed in English for Hunt & Clarke in London. Volume I of the Pigrimage is devoted to his travels in Europe and includes the folding Plan of the Town of Karlsruhe and Plan of the Gardens at Schwetzingen. The second volume is focused on his American travels, which included accompanying Major Stephen Long on an expedition in the upper reaches of the Mississippi River. Long later wrote that Beltrami accompanied their party to Pembina and "recently published a book which we notice merely on account of the fictions and misrepresentations which it contains." In 1826, the Revue Encyclopedique also heavily criticized Beltrami's work, which he responded to in the preface of this edition. Illustrations in volume II include an untitled map of the Mississippi Valley (8.2 x 24.1") from Lake Winnipeg to the Gulf of Mexico and 3 plates of Indian artifacts. Volume I (472 pages) is rebound in quarter faux leather over brown buckram with gilt title on spine. Volume II (545 pages, uncut) is hardbound in quarter cloth over stiff paper boards with paper label on spine.

References: Howes #B338; Sabin #4605; Wagner-Camp #26a:2.

Condition: B+

The folding maps are very good with occasional faint offsetting or faint foxing. Text and plates are very clean and bright. Volume I has a few minor scuffs along the spine, and volume II has light wear, faint stains on the covers, and bumped edges.

Estimate: $400 - $475

Sold for: $250

Closed on 6/14/2017

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