Alexander Mackenzie. VOYAGES FROM MONTREAL, ON THE RIVER ST. LAURENCE. THROUGH THE CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA, TO THE FROZEN AND PACIFIC OCEANS; IN THE YEARS 1789 AND 1793. WITH A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE OF THE FUR TRADE OF THAT COUNTRY. London: Printed for T. Cadell, et al. by R. Noble, 1801. Tree calf with gilt-titled red morocco label on the spine. 4to; [4], viii, cxxxii, 412, [2]pp. Complete with half-title, engraved portrait frontispiece, title page, (3) large folding maps, and final errata pages. Sabin 43414; Howes M133.

10 7/8 x 8 7/8 in.

Alexander Mackenzie (Scotland, 1764-1820) is celebrated as the first European to cross the continent of North America. "The narrative portion was prepared for publication by William Combe from Mackenzie's notes. The account of the fur trade - first ever published - is attributed to Roderick Mackenzie" (Howe M133). This account includes the 1789 Mackenzie River expedition, the 1792-3 expedition to the Pacific Ocean, and a discussion of the fur trade from Canada to the Northwest. According to Sabin, this is the "First and finest edition... His investigations, although pursued at so early a period of Arctic exploration, were remarkable for their accuracy..." (p. 61).

Light age wear to boards with repairs to lower board, light edgewear, and corners bumped and rubbed; spine with small chips and age cracking to leather, ends lightly rubbed, label with chip and pealing at center, joints lightly rubbed; lacking front free endpapers otherwise complete; pages toned with offsetting, patches of insect damage (sometimes substantial) on several leaves, occasional small edge chip/tear/fraying, and foxing and spotting; area of damp staining on frontispiece and title with frequent additional small or faint areas of damp staining at margins; one page with old writing otherwise pages unmarked; maps complete but with typical toning and offsetting, light scattered foxing (heavier on third), and repairs, the first with faint area of damp staining and edge chip, the second with small loss at vertical fold, the third with (2) small tears at folds. A sturdy, and good or better copy of this fascinating title.