Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country

Fortescue CUMING

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Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country

“ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING WORKS RELATING TO THE WEST”

CUMING, Fortescue. Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country, Through the States of Ohio and Kentucky; A Voyage Down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and a Trip Through the Mississippi Territory, and Part of Western Florida. Pittsburgh: Cramer et al., 1810. 12mo, contemporary full mottled calf, tan leather spine label. Housed in a custom half morocco slipcase.

First edition of this collection of “excellent and extensive observations on pioneer conditions throughout the Ohio and lower Mississippi valleys” (Howes C-947).

Cuming, a native of Ireland, purchased land in Ohio in 1806. “These were the occasion of a trip taken in 1807-09 down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and through Louisiana and the Floridas, which he described in his Sketches of a Tour. This volume… is an accurate and detailed record of social and political conditions in the backwoods area” (DAB II, 592). “One of the most interesting works relating to the West” (Thomson, 126). “Cuming gives a minute description of the numerous towns and localities through which he passed and of the pioneers he met and studied. The appendix includes narratives of great importance, many of which are published here for the first time” (Eberstadt 112:117). Narratives included are by Loskiel, Forsyth, Hildreth, Badger, and Heckewelder, among others. Sabin 117890. Streeter 1325. Graff 944. Owner signature.

Occasional light embrowning; contemporary calf quite good. Scarce in this condition.

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