The Ohio Gazetteer; or Topographical Dictionary, Containing A Description of the Several Counties (etc. etc.) in the State of Ohio

KILBOURN, John

Published by J. Kilbourn (P. H. Olmsted, printer), Columbus, Ohio, 1821

About this Item

12mo, 204pp (omitting p. 25, as in all copies). Lacks the state map and any other plates. In good or better condition in an unsophisticated, ordinary contemporary binding with no restoration (apart from a possible crude paper repair to title page). Plain boards with brown sheep/calf spine. Some insect holes near the base, not affecting the interior. Some leaves chipped, a bit of minor loss to the title page. A few minor internal stains, but a generally sound, readable copy of this important early Ohio book. This "Gazetteer" was a practical guide to the state of Ohio, designed for new residents and travelers making their way through the very "new" state, which had been founded less than two decades earlier, in 1803. First published in 1816, Kilbourn went on to publish new editions almost every year for the next decade, and several afterwards. The settlements in Ohio were growing and changing so rapidly that there are sometimes substantial differences in the descriptions of each town between near-contemporary editions. Likewise, since this volume was almost entirely managed by Kilbourn alone, there are sometimes different maps or plates called for for each edition. This seventh edition contained a fold-out map of the state and also a plan of either Columbus or Muskingum County. A 1964 auction lot (the most recent we found) describes two copies of this same edition; one with the Columbus map and another with the Muskingum map. In any event, both the folding state map and either of these other maps are lacking here. Nevertheless, surviving copies of this practical volume are very scarce in commerce. The information was often obsolete within a year of publication, and when new editions were published, many of the older ones were likely thrown away. OCLC reveals a modest, but healthy number of physical holdings for the seventh edition, although not all copies contain the maps. In any event, while incomplete without the map, still a textually complete copy of this important early Ohio volume. Sabin 37730; Howes H129; Morgan 1307; Thomson 672; American Imprints 5766. Seller Inventory # 8153

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Ohio Gazetteer; or Topographical ...

Publisher: J. Kilbourn (P. H. Olmsted, printer), Columbus, Ohio

Publication Date: 1821

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good +