Books and Manuscripts

One of the Most Important Early Descriptive Works on the North American West

London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Almon, 1778. First edition, first issue. 8vo. (ii), ii, 67, (1) (errata) pp. From the library of Philadelphia scientist, clockmaker, and Patriot, Owen Biddle, Sr., and with his signature at head of title-page. Illustrated with two engraved folding maps and one engraved folding table. Quarter brown calf over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt, red morocco spine label; all edges trimmed; stain on title-page, variously extending to p. 6; trimmed top edge of title-page just touching Biddle's signature, chip in corner of same removing "le" in same; scattered minor foxing to text leaves and plates; offsetting from plates. Howes H846; Sabin 34054; Streeter III-1299; Graff 2029; Vail 655; Soliday IV, 312a

A valuable and descriptive source on the western country in North America during the late British period, written by the first and only official geographer of the United States, Thomas Hutchins. "Hutchins served with considerable distinction during the period of the French and Indian War, and under Colonel Bouqet at Fort Pitt, the plan of which he laid out. He was later engaged with Captain Harry Gordon in a survey of the country bordering the Ohio and Mississippi from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, and there is little doubt, that much of the information given in the above work was gleaned during that adventurous voyage. He afterwards went to England where he got into serious trouble with the British Government for holding a supposed correspondence with Benjamin Franklin, who was then acting as American Ambassador at the Court of France. Returning to America, via France, he joined the Southern Army under General (Nathanael) Green (sic), and on the close of the war he was appointed Geographer General to the United States, which position he had until his death which took place at Pittsburgh, April 28, 1789." (Soliday IV, p. 38).

Owen Biddle, Sr. (1737-99) was a Philadelphia Quaker merchant, clock and watchmaker, scientist, and Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He was the older brother of Patriot soldier Clement Biddle (1740-1814), and served as Assistant Commissary General of Forage under his brother during the war. At various periods in 1776 he served short stints as de facto governor of Pennsylvania, and during this period also served on the Committee of Safety, as well as the Board of War and was a member of Pennsylvania's 1776 Constitutional Convention. An active member of the American Philosophical Society, he served as its curator from 1769-72, secretary from 1773-82, and then one of its councilors until his death in 1799.

A scarce first edition written by the originator of our range system of land surveys.

Passed down within the Biddle family and never before offered for sale.