The British Dominions in North America;: or, a Topographical and Statistical Description of the Provinces of Lower and Upper Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the Islands of Newfoundland, Prince Edward, and Cape Breton. Including Considerations on Land-Granting and Emigration. To which are ann

London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman,, 1832. A significant early survey of Canada First edition of this major early work on the history and development of Canada. Joseph Bouchette (1774-1841) was a Canadian militia officer and loyalist who qualified as a surveyor in early 1791. He initially gained fame in 1815 by publishing an extensive map and catalogue of Canada. This was an early synthesis of information on the region and Bouchette received a gold medal from the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. The present work, Bouchette's second publication, is far more detailed and comprehensive and was the result of several years' research in the late 1820s. Three volumes, quarto (275 x 217 mm). Near contemporary dark green half calf, raised bands to spines, titles and pine cone patterns to compartments gilt, geometric pattern to cloth in blind, marbled edges, dark green endpapers. Frontispiece and lithographic half-title to both Volumes I and II, 16 plates, one of which is folding, 3 tables on 4 plates, 10 plans, and one folding map. Modern bookseller's ticket to front pastedowns, near contemporary ownership inscription of William Griffith to verso of front free endpapers. Extremities slightly bumped and a touch worn in places, boards slightly soiled, dampstain along bottom edge of rear board of Volume II, inner hinges gently cracked but firm, mild offsetting from ownership inscription and some plates, light browning and occasional dampstaining to margins of plates, small chips to margins of some plates, pale foxing throughout Volumes II and III, mainly to margins. Otherwise a very good set. Sabin I 6848 & 6851