Memoir, Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York .

COLDEN, Cadwallader David (1769-1834).

Published by New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York, 1825 [1826].

About this Item

4to., (9 4/8 x 7 6/8 inches). Lithographed title-page to the appendix, engraved frontispiece portrait of Colden and 43 engraved and lithographed plates, with an additional 8 facsimiles of testimonial letters (folding certification for Pilot Charitable Society torn lower right), and including portraits (one after George Catlin) and views (some folding) (some occasionally heavy offsetting and light spotting, plate of the Fleet and Cohoes Falls torn with loss), 2 large folding hand-colored engraved maps (that of the New York with early repairs). Modern calf gilt. THE OPENING OF THE ERIE CANAL A spectacular and elaborate souvenir of the extravagant celebrations surrounding the official completion of the Erie Canal. Derided as "Clinton's Folly" when first proposed by Governor Dewitt Clinton (1769-1828) and voted by the state legislature, the Erie Canal "proved to be the key that unlocked an enormous series of social and economic changes in the young nation.spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States." The work is one of the first books published in the U.S. to be extensively illustrated by lithography; an appendix pays tribute to "the most useful potentialities of Mr [Alois] Senefelder's great discovery." A few plates unfold to considerable extent, with panoramic views of New York Harbor crowded with shipping, a cross-section of the canal, locks, scenic views and ornate fire-company pumpers drawn by horses. It is also distinguished as being the first book with illustrations by George Catlin. Howes C-562. Catalogued by Kate Hunter.

Seller Inventory # 000397

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memoir, Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York .
• Publisher: New York: Printed by the Order of the Corporation of New York, 1825 [1826].
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • New York City
  • Www.aradernyc.com
  • Canals