[North America] Crevecoeur, M.-G.J. de. Lettres d'un cultivateur Américain adressées à Wm. S.

depuis l'année 1770 jusqu'en 1786. Par M. St. John de Creve Coeur. Traduites de l'Anglois (by the author). Paris, Cuchet Libraire, 1787, 4 vols. (incl. 1 w. large fold. map. only) XXXII,478,(2); 438,(6); 592,(2) p., w. engr. fontisp., 3 titles, 5 fold. maps and 3 plates (1x fold.), 19th cent. unif. hmor. w gilt and ribbed spines, t.e.g. All. vols. a bit foxed throughout, vol. 1 w. closed tear in fold. map, mounted letterpress descriptions and extensive manuscr. biography on prel. blanks. Bindings rubbed at joints and spine-ends, and outer corners showing. The separately bound large fold. map is mounted on linen. Atrractively bound copy, w. the bookplate of Josiah Kirby Lilly on upper pastedowns and owner's entry of O.L. Merriam on title-pages.

Howes C-883: "Best French edition and most complete of all editions"; DAB IV, p. 542-544; Sabin 17495. The 2nd French edition (first: 1784) of this collection of letters on American life in the 18th century, by Michel-Guillaume Jean de Crevecoeur (1735-1833), writing under the name Hector St. John. The first English edition appeared in 1787. The author arrived in America in 1754 and settled on a farm in Pine Hill, Orange County, New York in 1769. In the "letters", Crevecoeur describes American opportunities, other immigrants, the native Indians, life as a farmer, the Amish, slavery, etc. After spending a few years in Europe, he returned to America, his wife had died, his children were taken away and his farm had been burned by Indians. He found his children again, was French consul in New York and corresponded with Washington and Franklin.