Lot 11: BARTRAM, John (1699-1777) and Peter KALM (1716-1779). Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Rivers, Productions, Animals, and other matters worthy of Notice... In his Travels from Pensilvania to Onondago, Oswego and the Lake Ontario,

BARTRAM, John (1699-1777) and Peter KALM (1716-1779). Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Rivers, Productions, Animals, and other matters worthy of Notice... In his Travels from Pensilvania to Onondago, Oswego and the Lake Ontario, In Canada. To which is annex'd, a curious Account of the Cataracts at Niagara. By Mr. Peter Kalm... London: J. Whiston and B. White, 1751.

8υo (170 x 112 mm). Engraved folding frontispiece map of "the Town of Oswego" (small hole within image). (Inner margin of N1 renewed.) Modern half calf, marbled boards, by Bennett (front joint starting).

FIRST EDITION of Bartram's record of the historic journey he made with cartographer Lewis Evans and Indian agent Conrad Weiser. Though Bartram initiated the journey up the Susquehanna Valley to Oswego on the shore of Lake Ontario primarily to study the flora of the country, he also wanted to hold friendly conference with the Iroquois. His excellent writings on botany attracted the attention of Linnaeus, and his thoughtful descriptions of the native Americans shed new light on their rich culture. "This visit to the Central Council Fire of the Six Nations, is especially interesting, not only as having been made at so early a date, but for affording us in this work a plan and view of the Long-House, peculiar to the tribes of that Confederacy" (Field). Church 977 ("A very reliable work by two of the most eminent observers and naturalists of their day"); Field 92; Howes B-222; JCB (3) I:941; Sabin 3868; Staton & Tremaine/TPL 186; Streeter sale II:869; Vail 449; Wroth, Mirror of the Indian 49; Wroth, American Bookshelf, pp.101-104; Wroth, Colonial Scene, p.67.