Altowan; Or, Incidents Of Life And Adventure In The Rocky Mountains. By An Amateur Traveler. Two Volumes

WEBB, J. WATSON [EDITED BY]

Publication: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1846, New York

First editions. 12mo. Two Volumes. Volume I). Bound in quarter leather and marbled paper over boards, raised bands, titles on two leather labels attached to spine and printed in gilt, xxix [blank], 25 - 255 pp., dedication. Volume II). Bound in quarter leather and marbled paper over boards, raised bands, titles on two leather labels attached to spine and printed in gilt, 240 pp.

Wagner/Camp 125 says "The editor's introduction, written in the form of a letter, gives enough biographical detail about the author clearly to identify him as Sir William Drummond Stewart. On half pay from the British Army, Stewart came to America in 1832 and traveled west to the Rockies where he remained for several years. While in New Orleans during the winter of 1836-37, he met A. J. Miller, a young artist whom he took with him on his return to the mountains. This fortunate journey produced one of the great sets of portrayals of the Rocky Mountain West, for Miller's sketches, water colors, and oils rank with the works of Karl Bodmer and George Catlin." Apparently Stewart had many hunting and sporting adventures during his time in the Rockies. There is much on the fur trade as well.

Each volume bears the small perforated stamp of the "Free Library, Newburgh, NY" on the title page with small and neat library markings to one page in each volume, with modest wear to a few pages, the bindings are fine, bright and tight. Overall a near fine set.