London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1792. First edition. 8vo. (iv), xv, (1), 247, (1, ad) pp.; with half-title. Three-quarter crimson morocco over red cloth-covered boards, decorated in gilt, light rubbing to boards and extremities, spine darkened, dampstaining in upper front board; top edge gilt, other edges trimmed; marbled endpapers; by H. Zucker, Philadelphia; old ownership initials on verso of front free endpaper; "Rosenbach" in pencil at top of half-title; scattered spotting to text. Sabin 34354; Howes I-12; Clark II, 41; Streeter 1522

Scarce first edition of Gilbert Imlay's early and highly influential description of the American frontier. Imlay served as a captain in the American army during the American Revolution, and following the war he worked as a land speculator in the Kentucky region, where he gathered much of the observations that make up this work. Taking an epistolary format, told between a man from Kentucky to a friend in England, Imlay provides one of the most complete descriptions of the trans-Appalachian West up to that time. This work proved to be incredibly popular, and went through several editions.

According to RBH, this is the first copy of the first edition to be offered at auction since 2004.