Lot 45: Klinckowström, Axel Leonhard

Bref om de Förenta Staterna föffattade under en Resa till Amerika aren 1818, 1819, 1820. Stockholm : Eckstein, 1824 3 volumes in 2, being 2 volumes of text in one, 8vo (7 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.; 200 x 125 mm), and atlas of single sheets (16 x 21 in.; 406 x 533 mm. and smaller). Engraved and letter-press title pages in both text volumes, atlas volume with lithographed title, letter-press index, and 17 plates and maps; minor dampstainning to upper portion of engraved title of second volume, some occasional spotting, a few plates with short marginal tears or repairs. Contemporary Swedish half-calf, gilt-ruled spine compartment, gilt-stamped title labels in slightly different colors on spine, original printed blue wrappers bound in atlas, text volume with green nature-stenciled edges; head of spine torn, corners torn, some rubbing.

Deák 310, 322; Howes K201; Sabin 38053; Stokes 3:563

First edition and a fine copy of an important and rare United States view book. A Swedish aristocrat, Klinckowström spent three years in the United States (1818?1820) as an official emissary of his country, traveling widely and taking a lively interest in all around him. The handsome atlas includes a lithographed title-page with a vignette of the White House by C. Müller, partially handcolored engraved maps of the northern and southern sections of the United States after John Melish by C. F. Himberg, a lithographed plan of Philadelphia by Müller, and six fine aquatint view of Philadelphia and New York after Klinckowström by Akrell. Stokes, who comments on the rarity of the atlas, particularly praises the view of Broadway as "one of the most picturesque and interesting early view of Broadway and City Hall.? The views of lower Manhattan from Brooklyn through a forest of sails is of no less charm and interest.