Astoria

New York: G.P. Putnam's and Sons, 1897 Printed at the Knickerbocker Press, New Rochelle, New York. Hard cover, 8vo. (measuring 6 x 9 inches) in blue cloth, the boards with a blind stamped double ruled border, and the spine with the titles in gilt, and author's name encircled in gilt dots. Vol. 1: (xvi), 389pp.15 black and white tissue-guarded illustrations. Vol. 2: (xxi) 391 pp., 12 illustrations. This edition features two-color title pages, and decorative borders in brown framing each page of text, with designs of acorns and pine cones. **First published in 1836, this account of the westward expansion of the fur trade was gleaned by the author Washington Irving from papers supplied to him from John Jacob Astor about the origins of the American and Pacific Fur Companies in the 18aughts. The author also relied on previously published accounts of Lewis and Clark, and others. American "manifest destiny," and tales of "remote and adventurous enterprises," all voiced with the skill of a novelist, makes for a really good read. Condition: Very Good Plus. Spines a bit sunned. Bright, tight and clean with no signs of foxing or writing. Very Gently age toned. (One half inch repair to a closed tear at fore-edge.) Very minimal head and foot shelf wear. . Tacoma Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good Plus.