This is the first edition 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 Native American 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 (one of which is folding), and a small folding 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." Octavo; (2 pp.), xxxiv, 522 pages, seven plates, frontispiece portrait, and folding map. Hardbound in contemporary calf with gilt bands and red leather title label on spine.

References: Howes #B-223; Sabin #3870.

Condition: B

The map has light toning and moderate foxing and offsetting. The plates and text have light toning and scattered foxing. The plate of the hydrandea has an edge tear that just enters the image and page 285/286 has a tear in the center. The covers are soiled with bumped corners, and the front cover is nearly detached. There are abrasions and some cracking along the spine. There is a printed bookplate from a previous owner on the inside front cover and two other previous owners have signed the front free-endpaper.