[Washington Irving]. A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma... New York: 1806. First edition of Irving's first ...

Description

[Washington Irving, Peter Irving and George Gaines, translators]. A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South-America, during the Years 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804. by F. Depons. Translated by an American Gentleman. New York: I. Riley and Co., 1806. First edition of the first book appearance of Washington Irving (as translator), as well as the first edition in English of this work. BAL's "B" setting of volume I, and the corrected page numbering in volume II. Three octavo volumes. Lacking the large folding map in volume I, otherwise complete with all blanks and ads. Contemporary full tree calf, burgundy and black gilt morocco lettering labels, spines ruled in gilt. Some wear to bindings, front joints starting (yet still quite solid), some hinges starting, repair to front board of volume III, some toning, soiling and foxing to text. Still, very good. Housed in cloth clamshell case. From the collection of Donald Kaufmann.

Washington Irving collaborated with his brother Peter and George Gaines to translate this title - it is his first book appearance (preceded only by the very scarce prospectus of this title). Irving shared translator's duties with the other two men, but did the final editing of the text alone.

BAL 10096. Sabin 19642.