The Navigator, containing directions for navigating the Monongahela, Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; with an Ample Account of these much admired waters...to which is added An Appendix, containing an Account of Louisiana and of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers, as discovered by the Voyage under Capts. Lewis and Clark - Tenth Edition, 1818
Pittsburgh: Cramer and Spear, 1818. Hardcover. 10th Edition, 1818. 8vo, original half leather and marbled boards, 304 pp., with strip river maps and maps of Pittsburgh and the Falls of the Ohio. Very good, light professional restoration to leather, very neat strengthening to inner hinges, contents very good, brighter and less foxing than usually found, ownership signature of Harmon Pumpelly of Owego NY plus his name stamp. First blank has a 3 x 2 inch portion torn off from its lower corner, about a third of the entire page, otherwise, contents very good, unmarked. The original owner, Harmon Pumpelly (1795 - 1882) is described as follows in a historical website on Schenectady and region: 'He was an omniverous reader, and from every book he gleaned some useful knowledge, laying it by for future service. Among other accomplishments of a practical kind he gained a knowledge of surveying, and at the age of twenty-one was found in that occupation in connection with his brother James, who had charge of the extensive Harper and Caton estates in the vicinity of Tioga county, New York. His energy of character and spirit of enterprise soon led him beyond the routine of surveying. He threw into everything he did his habits of promptness, forethought and integrity, and almost everything he touched prospered. Much of his time in those years having been occupied as land agent for several large capitalists of New York City, he began the purchase and sale of lands on his own account, and thus laid the foundation of his large fortune. Together with his brothers he dealt in lumber and cattle, always displaying unusual tact, and not infrequently clearing goodly sums in his transactions. He was made president of the board of trustees of Owego in 1835, and so long as he remained there was the foremost man of the place. He was captain of a cavalry company noted for the beautiful uniforms they wore and the fine horses they rode; before this he was lieutenant of riflemen.' Early edition of this essential boatman's guide to Pittsburgh's rivers and the Ohio from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi. Editions from 1808 on contained an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition; Cramer also published Patrick Gass's account in 1807. Housed in early 20th century red cloth slipcase and additional half pebbled brown morocco slipcase. Very Good. Item #H19682
Price: $1,750.00