Catalog Archive
Auction 182, Lot 785

Discovery of Oregon Trail by First Major Expedition to the Pacific After Lewis & Clark

"[Oregon Trail] "American Enterprize" [in] The Weekly Register. No. 17 of Vol. IV "

Subject: Document - Oregon Trail

Period: 1813 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
6.8 x 10.6 inches
17.3 x 26.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is the complete issue of the June 26, 1813 edition of the Weekly Register. It includes a long article taken from the Missouri Gazette (St. Louis) that is the first account of the Hunt/Astor Expedition to the Columbia River. Hunt was Astor’s partner entrusted with the task of establishing a land route for supplies to the Pacific outpost Astor envisioned (Astoria). With no previous experience in the unexplored West country, Hunt was ill-equipped to lead the expedition which encountered many perils nicely documented in this vivid account. While the expedition made it to the Columbia River (barely), the War of 1812 delayed Astor’s plan. The lasting significance of the effort was the discovery by the group returning to St. Louis of the route that became the Oregon Trail used by tens of thousands of later settlers. Disbound, pages 265-280. A scarce example in this unbound, uncut state (the stab marks in the left margin indicate it was intended to be sewn but never was).

References: Wagner-Camp #11.

Condition: B

There is light toning, scattered foxing, and a couple of old folds.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $325

Closed on 4/28/2021

Archived