LEWIS, MERIWETHER; AND CLARK, WILLIAM. History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark...to the Pacific Ocean. Large

folding engraved map after Clark by S. Harrison (expertly silk-lined on verso), 5 other maps and plans. 2 volumes. 8vo, full mottled calf, gilt-decorated in the antique style, by Morrell, some wear to joints; edges stained yellow; bookplate; imaginative full morocco slipcase. Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1814 FIRST EDITION. "The definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American continent..." --Wagner-Camp-Becker 13:1; Printing and the Mind of Man 272; Howes L317; Grolier/American 30. Tipped in Volume 1 --An Autograph Letter Signed, from Nicholas Biddle, to Alexander Ladd, regarding financial matters. One page, 4to. Headed by Biddle "Bank of the United States," Philadelphia, 15 May 1835. Following Lewis's death, Biddle was asked by Clark to undertake editing the journals. Before he had completed the job, he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature and had to have Paul Allen complete it. It was in the Lewis-Clark-Biddle-Allen form that the book was finally published.