[Rarebooks] FS: Special Copy of Landmark Book on the Erie Canal and One of the First American Books Illustrated with Lithographs

[Charles Agvent]

Fromour new catalog--SUMMER MISCELLANY 2014--with 127 select items, all 
new arrivals, in a variety of fields:
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COLDEN, Cadwallader. MEMOIR, PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF A COMMITTEE OF 
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR 
OF THE CITY, AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW YORK 
CANALS. New York: Corporation of New York, 1825. First Edition. Quarto 
(7-3/4" x 9-3/4"), bound in full gilt-decorated calf leather with the 
city seal blindstamped on both covers, neatly rebacked with the original 
spine laid down; v, [3], 408, [2] pages. Illustrated with the 47 listed 
lithographs, many folding, including 2 large folding hand-colored maps, 
as well as 8 lithographed facsimiles of testimonial letters by John 
Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de 
Lafayette, and a few lithographs not listed. All lithographs were 
executed by Anthony Imbert, whom Harry Peters called the pioneer 
lithographer of New York City, after drawings by Asher B. Durand and 
others, including at least 3 by George Catlin. One of the first recorded 
American books illustrated with lithographs. Howes C-562; American 
Imprints 20118; Peters, America on Stone, pp. 228-232. An important 
volume, commemorating the greatest feat of American engineering to that 
date, the opening of the Erie Canal connecting the Great Lakes to the 
Atlantic Ocean. This copy with the name in gilt on the front cover of 
Samuel L. Mitchell. There is a portrait of Mitchell in the book engraved 
by Asher Durand. The front endpaper contains an inscription by Mitchell 
dated 1827 to his brother, Singleton, mentioning that he had received 
two copies of the book and was giving him this one. On the next blank 
page is an inscription dated 1849 by Singleton to his grandson. At the 
end of the book are bound a number of blank pages but for two which 
contain manuscript descriptions of Signals for the Grand Canal 
Celebration Fleet of Steam Gallies, with several small watercolors of 
flags. Light to moderate foxing, but generally a Near Fine and special 
copy of this rare and attractive book.

Samuel L. Mitchell was a founding editor of The Medical Repository, the 
first medical journal in the United States, as well as a member of both 
the United States Congress and Senate. Mitchell strongly endorsed the 
building of the Erie Canal, sponsored by his friend and political ally 
DeWitt Clinton, and gave a speech at its dedication. Mitchell suggested 
renaming the United States of America Fredonia, combining the English 
"freedom" with a Latinate ending. His suggestion was not taken 
seriously, though some towns took on the name. He was known for his 
widespread knowledge, Thomas Jefferson considering him the 
"Congressional Dictionary." (#017405) $5,000.00

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