Beschreibung:

EVANS, Estwick (1787-1866). A Pedestrious Tour, or Four Thousand Miles, through the Western States and Territories, During the Winter and Spring of 1818 . Concord, N.H.: Joseph C. Spear, 1819.
EVANS, Estwick (1787-1866). A Pedestrious Tour, or Four Thousand Miles, through the Western States and Territories, During the Winter and Spring of 1818 . Concord, N.H.: Joseph C. Spear, 1819. 8 o (190 x 125 mm). Woodcut frontispiece by A. Bowen. Second copyright leaf pasted to verso of title. (Frontispiece and first gathering sprung, some browning.) Original printed boards, uncut (worn, spine partially perished); cloth folding case. Provenance : Dave Mather (contemporary signature on title); Edward E. Ayer (1841-1927), renowned Americana collector, specializing in works relating to American Indians (shelf sticker on rear pastedown); Peter Decker (his sale Parke Bernet, 18 November 1969, lot 166). "EVANS' WORK IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION WE HAVE OF THE PLACES HE VISITED AND THE CONDITIONS HE FOUND IN 1818" (Graff) FIRST EDITION. "His route took him (on foot) as far as Detroit, from which town he backtracked to Pittsburgh. He then followed the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans and eventually had no other purpose for the trip than pleasure and experience. His comments on people, scenes, customs, manners, etc., personal as they are, are entertaining and illuminating. He was an intelligent observer" (Graff 1269). Buck 115; Clark Old South II:201; Clements One Hundred Michigan Rarities 54; Field 509; Greenly Michigan 56; Howes E-220; Rader 1314; Sabin 23148; Thomson 382. THE AYER-DECKER COPY OF THIS CLASSIC NARRATIVE.