[Americana] [New York] Colden, Cadwallader D. Memoir, Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York...at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York Canals

New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York, 1825-(26). First edition. 4to. v, (vi), 4-408, (2) pp. Presentation copy from the City of New York to Long Island merchant Stephen A. Halsey Esq. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Colden by A(sher).B. Durand after Waldo & Jewett, 44 engraved and lithographic plates (including six folding plates and two large folding views), two large folding hand-colored maps of the United States and New York, and eight facsimile letters by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Richard Riker. Three-quarter brown calf over marbled paper-covered boards, rebacked, stamped in gilt, original presentation label on front board with "Stephen A. Halsey Esq." in MS., extremities slightly worn, boards rubbed; marbled edges and endpapers; scattered foxing and spotting to text and plates; some offsetting from plates onto text. Sabin 14279; Howes C 562

Together with:

Colden, Cadwallader
Autograph Letter, signed
Coldengham, (New York), May 2, 1795. One sheet folded to make four pages, 13 x 18 in. (330 x 457 mm). Autograph letter, signed by Colden to surveyor and judge Evans Wharry Esq (1749-1831), of Little Falls, on the "Mohawk River", New York, concerning a "grave mistake" made by Wharry in his survey and division into lots of land at Glen's Purchase in Herkimer County, New York; addressed by Colden on integral leaf, docketed on same; creasing from original folds, scattered separations to same; original wax seal intact with accompanying paper loss opposite from when opened; unevenly toned; dampstaining along bottom edges; old catalogue label mounted at top left corner of first page.

An interesting association letter, as the Erie Canal cut through Little Falls, New York and was the location of its largest lock.

The present volume was gifted to dignitaries in New York, and records the history of the Canal's construction, as well as the ceremonies for its opening. It is notable for being one of the first volumes published in the United States to be illustrated with lithography, and features early illustrated work from American painter, George Catlin.

Provenance

Letter: The Anderson Galleries, New York, Rare and Valuable Books and Bindings Collected by the Late Samuel P. Avery of New York, November 10, 1919, Lot 228