Travels in North-America, in the years 1780, 1781, and 1782
London: G. G. J. and J. Robinson, 1787. xv, 462p: xii, 432p. Late 19th/early 20th quarter calf over linen boards with richly gilt spines. Includes six foldout plates whereof three are maps. One map is duplicate and bound as a frontispiece in volume II. The other two maps are bound at the end of volume I. From the Library of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts with their canceled bookplate inside the front board in both volumes. First edition in French appeared in 1786 followed by this translation printed in London a year later. Marquis de Chastellux's travel was certainly an important work. Eberstadt 114: #211 describes it as the "most interesting of all the personal narratives of the American Revolution. Many important economic, social and personal facts are recorded: the character of the Country and of the men who directed the War and the formation of a government are described". Thomas Jefferson corresponded with Chastellux and during his visit to Monticello, they spent one evening discussing Ossian's poems over a punchbowl. Madison was certainly aware of Chastellux. He wrote Joseph Jones on December 5th, 1780, "We have in Town at present several gentlemen of distinction from the French army. Among them the Chev: de Chastellux the 2nd, in command a man of sense politeness & letters". A very good copy of an important historical travel narrative with a very important American provenance. Also, rather unique with the duplicate map bound in. Eberstadt's Catalogue of Americana 214:221, The Papers of James Madison vol 2, p225; Sabin B12229; O. Rich p338-339; Howes 324 "In its completed form constitutes the first trustworthy record of life in the United States" Item #10278
Price: $1,800.00