The Rocky Mountains: Or, Scenes, Incidents, And Adventures In The Far West; Digested From The Journal Of Captain B. L. E. Bonneville, Of The Army Of The United States, And Illustrated From Various Other Sources,

WASHINGTON IRVING

Publication: Carey, Les, & Blanchard, 1837, Philadelphia

First Edition. Original Blue Cloth. 248pp.+12pp.Advertisements and vii, 248pp. Large Folding Map in front of each volume. "The second of Washington Irving's works on the western fur trade, and still one of the most readable narratives of the mountain men...The Philadelphia edition contains a map not found in the British edition."--Bill Reese, Best Of The West 69. "Explorations and fur-trade operations from Green River to Salt Lake and Walla Walla, 1832-5, including the first account of the trapping expedition over the Sierras to California, led by "Joe" Walker."--Wright Howes. "Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville, French-born graduate of West Point, became fascinated with the fur trade as a result of military service on the frontier. He took leave from the Army to enter the business, funded by Alfred Seton, and, perhaps, John Jacob Astor. He left Fort Osage, Missouri, for the Green River with a brigade of 110 men and twenty wagons loaded with supplies on May 1, 1832. He spent three years in the Rockies sending trappers and hunters in every direction, but his venture was not a financial success. He did prove that wagons could cross the Continental Divide. Additionally, he drew the first published maps that were reasonably accurate portrayals of the interior west. Irving met Bonneville while he was preparing Astoria and was later persuaded to write Adventures. His account is based on Bonneville's manuscripts, which included a daily journal that has since disappeared. He also used the papers of Nathaniel J. Wyeth, and conferred with men mentioned in the narrative, particularly the Sublettes and Robert Campbell. Adventures is a work of high ;literary quality and portrays the fur industry with accuracy."--The Pacific Northwest, Cecil K. Byrd. This first American edition was preceded by the British publication under the title, Adventures Of Captain Bonneville.... An important American military and fur trade narrative, accompanied by two important maps. Bookplate of noted collector, Frank Meier, on front endpapers of both volumes. Some rubbing, some very light wear to corners, and some light general soiling to original cloth binding. Some rubbing to original paper spine-labels affecting legibility of some words. Usual off-setting from maps. Protected in a half-leather clamshell case crafted by British binders, Riviere & Son. Each volume also protected in cloth dust jackets produced by Riviere & Son. Some cracking to external hinge of clamshell box, but hiding very well. Raised bands on spine of box, with title, author, and year of publication in gilt on spine. An exceptionally nice set of this important work, in original cloth binding!