Catalog Archive
Auction 127, Lot 227

"The Emigrant's Guide to the Western and Southwestern States and Territories", Darby, William

Subject: Guide Book, Western United States

Period: 1818 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
5.5 x 8.7 inches
14 x 22.1 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is a very rare and important guide packed with useful information for travelers. Bound into the front is a large, foldout Map of the United States Including Louisiana (22.5 x 18"). The map has outline color and features an interesting "stovepipe" configuration of Texas with a narrow panhandle trailing northwesterly into the Rocky Mountain region. A note located in the interior portion of Texas states that "this part of the Provincias Internas is but imperfectly known; no scientific traveller having ever explored, the wide range from St. Antonio de Behar to Red River." Louisiana is shown with its current boundaries and also in its large territorial configuration. The Missouri Territory is named, but not delineated. Howes notes three maps; this example has only the one mentioned here. No other maps are listed on the title page. 8vo. 311 pages plus a 13 page index. Hardbound in original, full leather with gilt title on spine.

References: cf Howes, D61; Wheat [TMW, Vol. II, #326]

Condition: B

Map is foxed, miss-folded and has a 2" binding tear reaching past the border. Text with occasional foxing and toning. Binding sound with rubbed and chipped covers.

Estimate: $1,400 - $1,700

Sold for: $1,600

Closed on 2/25/2009

Archived