CUMING, Fortescue (1762-1828). Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country, through the States of Ohio and Kentucky. Pittsburgh: Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum, 1810.

12mo (171 x 99 mm). (Minor toning and spotting, a few leaves with minor creasing.) Contemporary brown sheep, brown morocco lettering-piece gilt (upper cover detaching, worn). Provenance: Robert H. Hartley (signature); Dudley Bell Priester (1923-2017), Mississippi River collector and bibliographer (bookplate, annotations, sold Bloomsbury, 20 November 2009, lot 68).

FIRST EDITION of "one of the most interesting works relating to the West" (Thomson). This account of Cuming's 1807-1809 travels provides "excellent and extensive observations on pioneer conditions throughout the Ohio and lower Mississippi valleys" (Howes). Thomson noted that Sketches was likely edited by Pittsburgh printer and bookbinder Zadok Cramer. Buck 71; Graff 944 (with p.25 correctly paginated as in the Edward E. Ayer Collection copy at the Newberry Library, Chicago and the present copy); Howes C-947; Sabin 17890; Thomson Bibliography of the State of Ohio 286.

Property from the Collection of Perry B. Hansen