Colonial America
1784 First Edition Book "A Tour in the United States of America:..." Volume 1 of 2 Vol. Set, by J.F.D. Smyth, Esq.
1784-Dated, First Edition Book, "A Tour in the United States of America", Volume 1 of 2 Volume Set, by J.F.D. Smyth, Esq., Beatifully Rebound, Choice Extremely Fine.
This First Edition Book is Volume 1 of a 2 Volume Report of a tour through the brand new United States. Measures about 5" x 9", with 400 pages. "Published in London for G. Robinson, Pater-noster-Row, J. Robson, New Bond-Street, and J. Sewell, Cornhill." The title page fully reads:
"A Tour in the United States of America: Containing An Account of the Present Situation of that Country; The Population, Agriculture, Commerce, Customs, and Manners of the Inhabitants; Anecdotes of several Members of the Congress, and General Officers in the American Army; and Many other very singular and interesting Occurrences. With A Description of the Indian Nations, the general Face of the Country, Mountains Forests, Rivers, and the most beautiful, grand, and picturesque Views throughout that vast Continent. Likewise Improvements in Husbandry that may be adopted with great Advantage in Europe."
This book has been rebound into a a beautiful new half leather and marbled boards binding that looks fabulous if not original. The contents are in excellent crisp condition other than the occasional marginal written notes that seem to be likely contemporaneous to the publishing of the book. Most of the comments are things like "this is all wrong", or "here the author knows what he is talking about", obviously written by someone who thought they knew as much or more about the subject than the author did. Personally I think this insight and information adds to the book's attraction. Sabin quotes John Randolph: "This book, although replete with calumny and falsehood, contains the truest picture of the state of society and manners in Virginia."
This volume one includes the trip through the South and then up the Mississippi River where the author visits with the Miamis and Shawnee Indians, with three chapters devoted mostly to his interactions with Native Americans. See: (Lathrop Harper 143:453). Howes S-730; Sabin 85254; Streeter sale II:827.
SMYTH, John Ferdinand Dalziel. A Tour in the United States of America: containing an Account of the present Situation of that Country; the Population, Agriculture, Commerce, Customs, and General Officers in the America Army ... with a Description of the Indian Nations, the General Face of the Country, Mountains, Forests, Rivers ... likewise Improvements in Husbandry that may be Adopted with Great Advantage in Europe. London: G. Robinson, J. Robson and J. Sewell, 1784.
2 volumes, 8o (230 x 148 mm). (Some scattered pale spotting.) Original paper-backed blue boards, uncut (spines largely lacking, covers loose); slipcase. Provenance: Jasper Wager (inscription dated 26 November 1798 on front free endpaper).
FIRST EDITION. Smyth was a Scot who lived in Virginia during the Revolutionary War. He traveled across the nation and recorded his impressions in this work. "The author, who was a zealous Loyalist, lost his property during the war; and his work is said to have been written to gain favor with the Government, by abusing the Americans and magnifying his own losses. He narrowly escaped hanging by the Whigs on more than one occasion, but lived to record many intersting particulars of the first days of the Revolution, together with many scandalous anecdotes relating to the public men of the time."
(Lathrop Harper 143:453). Howes S-730; Sabin 85254; Streeter sale II:827.