THE PRESENT STATE OF HUDSON'S BAY. Containing a Full Description of that Settlement, and the Adjacent Country; and Likewise of the Fur Trade, with Hints for Its Improvements, &c. To Which are Added, Remarks and Observations Made in the Inland Parts, During a Residence of Near Four Years; A Specimen of Five Indian Languages; and a Journal of a Journey from Montreal to New York.
London: Printed for Charles Stalker, 1790. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo (8vo). Very good condition. Item #020363
[iv], viii, 230 pages of text, followed by [ii] pages of publisher's advertisement. Nineteenth-century full calf gilt-ruled binding with moderate shelfwear; rear hinge slightly cracked, and the front hinge cracked and nearly separated. Housed in a protective cloth clamshell box. Minimal sporadic foxing to preliminary leaves. Complete with half-title, one engraved plate and two folding tables. Umfreville worked for the Hudson's Bay Company and then switched his allegiance to the North West Company. He served first at York Factory, and was there when it was captured by La Perouse. After his freedom was attained he began working for the NW Co. and continued there until his return to England in 1789. This work, published in 1790, is highly critical of the Hudson's Bay Company's administration and its trading policies. It also contains a great deal of first-hand information regarding the Indians, fur-trade, the operation of the Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts, and life in the north in general. Sabin 97702; Pell 21; Cox, p. 163; Arctic Biblio. 18187; Howes U10; TPL 602; Land 1493; Vlach 731; JCB II: 3428; Streeter VI: 3650. The text is complete, though there are vagaries of pagination not fully represented in the description which are due to a hiatus in the page numbering between pp. 128-133. Binding height measures 8 13/16" (223mm). First edition.
Price: $4,250.00