FIRST EDITION OF ANBUREY’S WONDERFULLY ILLUSTRATED TRAVELS THROUGH THE INTERIOR PARTS OF AMERICA

ANBUREY, Thomas. Travels through the Interior Parts of America in a Series of Letters. London: William Lane, 1789. Two volumes. Octavo, early full brown tree calf gilt, black morocco spine label. $2800.

First edition of Anburey’s classic narrative, primarily of the American Revolution, with eight engraved plates, most folding, and a large folding map of the northeastern United States featuring hand-colored marching routes taken by the British Army.

Thomas Anburey was a British Army officer serving under Burgoyne during the American Revolution. This work is composed of a series of letters by Anburey, written while marching from Saratoga to Charlottesville after the capture of the British Army. The "actual account of his travels was largely [taken] from Burnaby, Smyth, and others" (Howes 226). Includes the first depiction of the first Federal currency on the plate at page 400, lengthy passages about the Native Americans, and several observations about the divide between Northern and Southern culture. Sabin 1366. Eberstadt 131:30. Soliday IV:69. Gephardt 12719. Stevens 201. Early owner signature on half title (Vol. I) and title (Vol. II) pages.

Date of publication removed from both title pages, with "1789" penciled in and missing paper expertly restored. Scattered foxing and staining to maps and plates, with some creasing, a few expert repairs along folds; text in Volume II with moderate dampstaining and staining, with marginal paper repairs to half title, title page and first few text leaves. Early tree calf handsome with joints and extremities expertly restored. A very good copy.