ADVENTURES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ON THE OREGON or COLUMBIA RIVER: Being a Narrative of the Expedition Fitted out by John Jacob Astor to Establish the "Pacific Fur Company"; with an Account of Some Indian Tribes on the Coast of the Pacific. By Alexander Ross, one of the Adventurers (Leather bound first edition)

Ross, Alexander

Published by Smith, Elder and Co., London, 1849

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 12 mo, xv, errata, 352 pgs, 16 pgs (advertising), folding map as frontis, top edge gilt. 1/2 leather; spine with 5 raised bands, gilt titled, leather corners and with marbled paper covered boards and endpapers. First edition in late 19th century binding. CONDITION DESCRIPTION: Light wear to edges and spine ends. Interior is clean; title page thru v with small chipping to upper outer corner due to acid-brittleness of the paper. Else the interior is clean and tight. CONTENTS DESCRIPTION: Rightfully called one of the three fundamental books, along with Ross Cox and Gabriel Franchere, on the early fur trade in the Pacific Northwest. Ross came to Astoria in the beginning and wrote of his own and others' experiences until Astor sold his interest to the North West Company in 1813. Ross presents a history of the entire expedition, including the overland expeditions of Wilson Price Hunt and Robert Stuart and of inland operations at Spokane House and along the Snake River. Ross was employed as a clerk in the enterprise and sailed to the northwest on the Tonquin. His telling of the events are vivid, descriptive and considered more personal than that of his contemporary Gabriel Franchere. A valuable wealth of information on the natives in these early years of contact with European traders. This is the first in Ross's trilogy of his experiences in the fur trade of the Northwest and the Red River Settlement. Often reprinted, this first edition is quite scarce; here in a very attractive 19th Century leather and marbled paper binding. Seller Inventory # 1021043

Bibliographic Details

Title: ADVENTURES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ON THE ...
Publisher: Smith, Elder and Co., London
Publication Date: 1849
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Edition: 1st Edition