John Kirk Townsend 1839 Presentation Copy "Narrative of

John Kirk Townsend (American, 1809-1851)
Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River (1839)
First edition, a presentation copy
Pub. Henry Perkins (Philadelphia)
A single octavo-size volume. Half calf over green cloth with gilt lettering and designs. Inscribed and signed to the front pages: "George Hatton from his friend John. K. Townsend 1839". An account of the naturalist's 1830s exploration across the United States and to the Pacific Ocean, describing the fauna observed including documentation of numerous undiscovered species. Complete with an errata sheet and an appendix listing the birds and mammals observed in the Oregon Territory. Townsend worked in tandem with John James Audubon, and some of the species collected on Townsend's journey herein described were given to Audubon for his magnum opus The Birds of America (1827-1838).

Measures 9 1/4" x 6" x 1".
Condition Report: The vintage re-binding (by Brian Frost & Co. of Bath, England) is in great condition. The pages are in good condition, noting a moderate amount of foxing throughout, but the text is eminently readable. Page 257-258 has a small loss to the margin.