"Journal of an Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains … [with] Map of Oregon Territory", Parker, Samuel (Rev.)

Samuel Parker was a missionary who accompanied a fur-trading party on an expedition from Council Bluffs, Iowa to the Oregon Territory. At the time, the region was claimed by both the British and the United States and was little known except to fur-traders. Included at the front of the volume is Parker's folding map, Map of Oregon Territory…, 1838 (22.4 x 14"), which is based on both personal observation and reports of the fur-traders of the Hudson Bay Company and is considered a landmark in the mapping of the region. It provides an excellent view of the river systems and tribal territory, and shows several forts, including an early depiction of Fort Hall. The map extends to include much of present-day Canada. The map is still bound in the original book in which Parker tells of his incredible experiences on the expedition. The books preface refers to the map as being "far more accurate than any which has before been published."

References: Howes #P89; Wagner-Camp 70:5; Wheat (TMW) #438.

Condition: B+

The map has faint scattered foxing, a short binding tear at right, and light show through of paper tape on verso confined to the right side border. Text is lightly foxed mostly along sheet edges. The binding has light shelf wear, the front hinge is cracked, and the head and tail of the spine are chipped.