Beschreibung:

GASS, Patrick (1771-1870). Voyage des Capitaines Lewis et Clarke, depuis l'embouchure du Missouri, jusqu'à l'entrée de las Colombia dans l'Océan Pacifique; fait dans les années 1804, 1805 et 1806 . Translated from English into French by A.J. Lallemant. Paris: Arthus-Bertrand, 1810. 8 o (210 x 133 mm). Half-title with publisher's advertisements on verso. Folding engraved map by J.B. Tardieu. Original green speckled paper wrappers, printed paper spine label (some minor wear at extremities, lower front joint split); green half morocco folding case. Provenance : Laird U. Park, Jr. (his sale Sotheby's New York, 29 November 2000, lot 141). FIRST FRENCH EDITION AND THE FIRST EDITION IN ANY LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE A MAP. Gass' was the first full account by a Lewis and Clark expedition participant. Born in Pennsylvania Patrick Gass "became one of the best-known members of the expedition for several reasons: his key role as sergeant brought his name up frequently in the journals of Lewis and Clark; his account was the first to be published; he was the first to have a biography written about him; and finally, he outlived the other members of the Corps of Discovery by decades" (Wagner-Camp-Becker 6:1, first edition). Translations of two letters by William Clark are appended to this slightly abridged edition of Gass' journal. Tardieu's map is evidently the first to mention Lewis and Clark and to indicate a section of their route. Graff 1519; Howes G-77; Sabin 26742; Streeter V:3124; Wagner-Camp-Becker 6:3; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 300.