Colden, Hon. Cadwallader D. Colden, Esqr. Memoir, Prepared at the Request of a Committee of the Common Council of the City of New York and Presented to the Mayor of the City at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York Canals, 1825. Good. Approximately 10.25 inches x 8.25 inches x 1.75 inches. Printed by order of the Corporation of New York by W.A. Davis. Bound in original brown calf presentation binding, front cover with heavy gilt decorations around printed inscription PRESENTED BY THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO ISAAC S. HONE, ESQR., 1826 with Seal of New York stamped in blind. Back cover also with heavy gilt decorations around Seal of New York. Attractive marbled end papers and page edges. Illustrated with 47 maps, plates and portraits, many folding. Some plates are bound out of sequence, but all are present and in fact there is an extra plate bound at page 214. There are (8) additional facsimile letters bound at rear. Maps by Lucas, and printed in color. Lithographs executed by Anthony Imbert, a pioneer lithographer of New York City; there is some offsetting on pages opposite lithographs, as usual. The spine is split, but still intact due to repair on inside along the gutter between page 172 and the adjacent lithograph. Both covers and spine rubbed and chipped, especially at edges; back cover detached. Light discoloration to the pages is noted throughout, scattered light stains and foxing, but most pages are intact, and the text is fully legible. Second blank page in front ripped at top with piece missing.Of utmost importance to so-called dollar collectors with a particular interest in the Erie Canal Completion medals, this is Cadwallader Coldens <em>Memoir</em> that details the evolution of the canal in outstanding style. Mr. Colden was a former New York City mayor, as well as a United States Congressman from New York State. He was also a proponent of a national canal system, so it is obvious why the Common Council of New York City selected him to write this account of the Erie Canal during the last days of its construction in 1825. The present copy of Coldens <em>Memoi</em><em>r</em> is ideally suited for inclusion in this sale, being offered as it is alongside not only white metal (HK-1) and silver (HK-1000) Erie Canal Completion medals, but also one of the exceedingly rare gold specimens (HK-1001). A find for the advanced specialist that is sure to see spirited bidding at auction. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
