WILKES CHARLES Narrative of the United States Exploring Expe

Sale 2241 - Lot 289

Unsold

Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000

THE FIRST TWO VOLUMES OF THE RARE SHERMAN EDITION WILKES, CHARLES. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition. 4 double-page maps and 22 plates; text illustrations. Volumes I and II only (of 6). 4to, contemporary 1/2 calf, worn with covers detached; a bit of minor marginal dampstaining, particularly on plates, but generally quite clean internally. Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1844; and Lea and Blanchard, 1845

Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

partial first edition. "The first United States scientific expedition by sea"--Howes W414. Volume I describes South America, and Volume II the South Pacific and Antarctica. Only 100 copies of this first edition were printed, with 63 of them distributed to foreign leaders and to state libraries, and 25 of the remainder lost in a fire. Only one full set has been traced in the trade since Eberstadt offered one in 1941. Apparently a variant printing, without "By authority of Congress" on half-titles. Forbes, Hawaii 1517; Haskell 1 and 2A. with--an incomplete copy of Volume V of the scarce 1845 second edition (only 150 printed), 4to, in matching 1/2 calf, with some dampstaining, through pages 483 only, apparently as bound. Forbes 1573.