Warre’s Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory – Volume with 20 Lithographed Views

This exceptional, rare volume is from Captain Henry James Warre’s Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory. The work was lithographed and published by Dickinson & Co. in London in 1848. It is a first edition both printed in color in finished by hand at the time with touches of gum Arabic. The work is considered “the most important one published on the subject of the Pacific Northwest.” (Virginia Historical Society online)

The volume features 20 hand-colored lithographs to 16 sheets, one map, with text and letterpress title. It is bound in contemporary red half Morocco gilt, rebacked preserving the original spine. It includes the rare dedication leaf to Hudson’s Bay Company as well which was not included in all copies.

Warre travelled the Oregon territory in 1845 on behalf of the British Government. They sought to settle a territorial dispute with the Americans for which war seemed imminent. Upon his return, the matter was already resolved. Warre depicted the scenery, situations, and incidents for this work, a remarkable record of the American west before it was touched by western civilization. The resulting lithographs “remain the only western color plates comparable in beauty to those by Bodmer.” (Howes)

General Sir Henry James Warre (1819-1898) was born in South Africa and eventually served as an army officer in British North America. He served as Aide-de-Camp to his uncle, Sir R. D. Jackson, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.