An Account of Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi, and Through the Western Parts of Louisiana, to the Sources of the Arkansaw, Kans, La Platte, and Pierre Juan, Rivers … During the Years 1805, 1806, and 1807. And a Tour Through the Interior Parts of New Spain ... In the Year 1807.

Philadelphia: John Binns for C.&A. Conrad; Petersburgh: Somervell & Conrad; Norfolk: Bonsal, Conrad & Co.; and Baltimore: Fielding Lucas, Jr, 1810.

Price: $15,000.00


About the item

First edition. Frontispiece portrait, 3 folding tables, a chart (on 5 separate leaves) and 6 maps (5 folding). 5, [3], 277, [5]; 65, [1]; 53, [1]; 87, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Contemporary tree calf, red morocco spine label titled in gilt. Binding rubbed, joints starting, dampstain to frontispiece and title, offsetting from frontispiece, some browning and spotting to text, offsetting and foxing to maps, small tears at mounts, repairs to 1 folding chart and Mississippi River map. In a custom blue cloth slipcase and chemise. Howes P-373, "b"; Wagner-Camp 9:1; Graff 3290; Wheat Transmississippi 297, 298, 299; Field 1217; Streeter Texas 1047C; Bradford 4415; Rittenhouse 467; Sabin 62936; Jones 743; Braislin 1474; Jenkins Basic Texas Books 163; Hill 1357; Reese, Best of the West, # 32.

Item #303241

The report of the first, and certainly one of the most important, exploration narratives of the Southwest. Pike's narrative includes his account of his travels to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers, as well as his earlier journey to the sources of the Mississippi River. He also relates his visit to the Spanish settlements in New Mexico. Along with the writings of Lewis & Clark, Pike's ACCOUNT must stand as the most important early work on western exploration. The maps, which Wheat considers "milestones in the mapping of the American west," are the first to show geographic knowledge of the area based upon first-hand explorations. Streeter refers to the description of Texas as "excellent."