Philadelphia: Published by the author, 1836. Scarce second edition of this important compilation of facts and figures "useful to the American traveler", e.g. population figures, distances between major cities via stagecoach, canal or steamboat, and principal objects of curiosity in or around larger towns, and much more. With brief notices of the several states, cities, principal towns, canals and railroads. Henry Schenck Tanner ( 1786–1858 ), cartographer and statistical geographer, was born in New York City, the son of John Tanner, a ship master, and Ann Schenck. His father died when he was six, and the family was then headed by his older brother Benjamin Tanner , who had been trained and had begun a career as an engraver. In 1800 Benjamin moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then the preeminent center of publishing and graphic arts, where Henry later apprenticed with him. Benjamin built up an active and varied engraving business.
Bound in original brown cloth covers with paper title label to front. Covers are soiled, rubbed, and bumped. Title label is chipped and stained. Spine is rebacked with later brown cloth. There is a large hand colored folding map of the eastern United States in the rear of the book, stretching west of the Mississippi to include parts of Arkansas and Missouri. The map identifies capitals, important towns, villages, public houses, turnpike and common roads, and railroads. There are 18 insets surrounding the map, showing city plans, the surroundings of various cities, and a map of the Hudson River. The map has scattered stains and closed tears along some of the folds. The small traveler's guide features four double-page plans of the major American cities: Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. There are also seven small plates, including two of Niagara Falls and one of West Point. Two ownership signatures in ink on front free endpaper. The pages are generally clean with some spotting, primarily in the margins. Very good condition. Measures 3 x 6 inches. 144 pages. Howes T-24. AMERH/012224. More