ELLICOTT, Andrew (1754-1820). The Journal of Andrew Ellicott, late Commissioner on Behalf of the United States During Part of the Year 1796, the Years 1797, 1798, and 1799, and part of the Year 1800: For Determining the Boundary between the United States and the Possessions of his Catholic Majesty in America. Philadelphia: Budd & Bartram for Thomas Dobson, 1803.

4to (255 x 194 mm). 14 folding maps and charts, 1p. errata at rear. (Some offsetting of maps and plates, some spotting and staining, slight marginal chipping and tears with a few discreet repairs.) Contemporary mottled calf, maroon morocco lettering-piece gilt (front cover and flyleaf detached or detaching, lower cover detaching, some wear). Provenance: a few early marginal annotations; Dudley Bell Priester (1923-2017), Mississippi River collector and bibliographer (bookplate, sold Bloomsbury, 20 November 2009, lot 75).

FIRST EDITION of the "first thorough American survey of the lower Mississippi and Gulf regions" (Howes). "The earliest American account of West Florida. Ellicott’s report on the area influenced the eventual U.S. acquisition of the area" (Streeter). As a detailed summary of Ellicott's four years of travel in Florida and the Mississippi Valley serving as Boundary Commissioner, the Journal of Andrew Ellicott was one of the most important surveys available at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. Buck 50; Howes E-94; Sabin 22216; Streeter 1531.

Property from the Collection of Perry B. Hansen