Memoir Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York Canals.

COLDEN, Cadwallader David (1769-1834).

Published by New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York, 1825 [1826].

About this Item

4to., (9 1/8 x 7 6/8 inches). Lithographed title-page to the appendix, engraved frontispiece portrait of Colden and 39 engraved and lithographed plates, with an additional 8 facsimiles of testimonial letters (folding view of the "Fleet" torn with loss of one half of the plates, other folding plates with repairs to verso, facsimile edges frayed) and including portraits (one after George Catlin) and views (some folding), 2 large folding hand-colored engraved maps (both with tears repaired to verso). Contemporary American ornate, signed presentation binding ordered by the City of New York of diced calf gilt, covers with broad gilt-tooled borders, upper cover gilt-lettered "Presented by the City of New York to Horatio Gates Esq, r.," (hinges strengthened with cloth tape, extremities worn with loss). Provenance: Presentation binding to Horatio Gates. THE OPENING OF THE ERIE CANAL A spectacular and elaborate souvenir of the extravagant celebrations surrounding the official completion of the Erie Canal. Derided as "Clinton's Folly" when first proposed by Governor Dewitt Clinton (1769-1828) and voted by the state legislature, the Erie Canal "proved to be the key that unlocked an enormous series of social and economic changes in the young nation.spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States." The work is one of the first books published in the U.S. to be extensively illustrated by lithography; an appendix pays tribute to "the most useful potentialities of Mr [Alois] Senefelder's great discovery." A few plates unfold to considerable extent, with panoramic views of New York Harbor crowded with shipping, a cross-section of the canal, locks, scenic views and ornate fire-company pumpers drawn by horses. It is also distinguished as being the first book with illustrations by George Catlin. Howes C-562. Catalogued by Kate Hunter.

Seller Inventory # 002404

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memoir Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York Canals.
• Publisher: New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York, 1825 [1826].
• Binding: Hardcover
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • New York City