A foundational work of Illinois — one of the earliest gazetteers of the young state, compiled by the Baptist missionary and pioneer John Mason Peck from two years of first-hand travel. As Graff observes, "Peck was well-equipped to compile a gazetteer of Illinois, for he had traveled over most of the state. His descriptions and observations are almost entirely drawn from personal experience."

Alphabetically arranged by county, town, settlement, stream, prairie and bluff, it is a primary record of the Illinois frontier on the eve of its great expansion, and a cornerstone of the printed literature of the region.

viii, 376 pp. Small octavo (155 × 100 mm), period tree calf, spine ruled in gilt with morocco label. With the contemporary signature of J. Russell, dated November 1834, on the pastedown.

Very good: light rubbing to boards; toning, with a stain to the upper outer corner throughout. A handsome copy in its original tree calf, with contemporary provenance.

PROVENANCE

With the contemporary signature of J. Russell, dated November 1834, on the pastedown.

REFERENCES

Graff 3232; Howes P-170; Byrd 191; Sabin 59489