CUMING, Fortescue (1762-1828). Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country, through the States of Ohio and Kentucky; A Voyage Down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and a Trip through the Mississippi Territory, and Part of West Florida. Pittsburgh: Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum, 1810.

12mo (178 x 102 mm). (Minor browning and spotting, a few leaves with minor creasing.) Contemporary brown sheep, smooth spine gilt, red morocco lettering-piece gilt (short split to front joint near head); folding case. Provenance: H.M. Povenmire (library label); typewritten editorial pasted in from the University Herald dated 4 June 1897, with reference to the library of Professor John Armstrong of Xenia, Ohio; C.G. Littell, noted Americana book collector (morocco book label, his sale, Parke-Bernet, 5-6 February 1945, lot 236).

THE LITTELL COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION, "one of the most interesting works relating to the West" (Thomson). This account of Cuming's 1807-1809 travels provides "excellent and extensive observations on pioneer conditions throughout the Ohio and lower Mississippi valleys" (Howes). Thomson noted that Sketches was likely edited by Pittsburgh printer and bookbinder Zadok Cramer. Buck 71; Graff 944 (with p.25 correctly paginated as in the Edward E. Ayer copy and the present copy); Howes C-947; Sabin 17890; Thomson, Bibliography of the State of Ohio 286.

Selections from the Library of Dr. John Talbot Gernon