How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Report of a Committee, Appointed to Explore the Western Waters in the State of New-York: For the Purpose of Prosecuting the Inland Lock Navigation
Albany: Printed by Barber and Southwick, 1792. First edition. 16mo. 24 pp. Disbound; corners of title-page clipped, affecting some letters, two library ink stamps on same ("Library of the New York Law Institute"), same ink stamps on pp. 2 and 24; text trimmed close affecting some page numbers at top; creasing and small chip in bottom corner of pp. 3/4; scattered spotting and soiling. In black cloth fall-down-back box. Evans 24604; ESTC W8575; Sabin 22754; Streeter Sale 883

Rare first edition detailing the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, which constructed New York's first major canal system along the Mohawk River to Lake Oneida. Incorporated by the New York state legislature in 1792 with General Philip Schuyler (Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law) as its president, the company was established to enhance navigation and commerce on waterways west of Albany. Construction commenced in 1793, and within a decade the company had successfully built a network of canals designed to bypass difficult portages at locations such as Little Falls and Rome. Although these improvements revolutionized water transportation in New York, the company's infrastructure was rendered obsolete by 1825 following the completion of the much larger Erie Canal.

According to RBH, this is the first copy to come to auction since the Streeter Sale.