The First Settlers of Virginia, an Historical Novel, Exhibiting a View of the Rise and Progress of the Colony at James Town, a Picture of Indian Manners, the Countenance of the Country, and its Natural Productions
New-York: Printed for I. Riley and Co., 1806. Second edition, considerably enlarged. Frontispiece engraving of Pocahontas rescuing John Smith. Contemporary calf over boards. Octavo. xii, [13]-284 pages. Very good. Rebacked in leather, retaining original boards and red spine title label. Minor rubs to fore corners, some offsetting to title page from frontispiece, and mild browning throughout but remarkably clean and sound overall.
The first extensive treatment of the legend of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, in its preferred edition, complete, and excellent condition. Scarce, thus.
The frontispiece was engraved by Benjamin Tanner after F. James, and depicts Pocahontas saving John Smith from execution at the hands of her father. This is one of the earliest American romantic novels about Native Americans.
Davis was an English immigrant with literary aspirations who lived in Philadelphia at the beginning of the 19th century. He was acquainted with the likes of Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. He originally adapted this material from his 1803 "Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America" and published it in 1805 as "Captain Smith and Princess Pocahontas: An Indian Tale." This expanded version includes Davis's autobiography, "A Memoir of the Author" (pp. {275]-284). Includes "Errata" on page [274].
SABIN 18849.
Item #1061
Price: $1,000