LEWIS, Meriwether (1774-1809) and CLARK, William (1770-1838). History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark. Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1814.

2 volumes, 8vo (203 x 127 mm). With 5 (of 6) plates and maps (lacking most of original large map; later folding map laid in.) (Light spotting throughout, scattered notations in pencil, some light soiling, marginal tears to pp. 61 of Vol. I and pp. 119 of Vol. II, neither affecting text.) Contemporary calf (rubbing, modern rebacking). Provenance: S.C. Collins (ownership inscription).

FIRST EDITION OF THE "MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL OVERLAND NARRATIVES," (Grolier American), AND THE "DEFINITIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EXPLORATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT" (Wagner-Camp)

President Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned the expedition and ensured its funding by Congress in 1803, contributed a prefatory "Life of Captain Lewis" to the work. Publication was delayed by the death of Lewis, but the work was finally brought to press on 20 February 1814 by Bradford and Inskeep. Of the 2,000 copies that were printed, only 1,417 were perfect and put out for sale. According to Elliott Coues, "the map is gone from many if not most of the copies of the book now extant. ..[It] was not inserted in all copies of the original edition." Church 1309; Grolier American 30; Howes L-317; Sabin 40829; Streeter III: 1777; Wagner-Camp 13:1.