The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada - photo 1

The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada

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$ 6 300
Auction dateClassic
17.01.2024 11:00UTC -04:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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ID 1119232
Lot 34 | The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada
The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada

Cadwallader Colden, 1747

COLDEN, Cadwallader (1688-1776). The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada, Which are dependent on the Province of New-York in America, and are the Barrier between the English and French in that Part of the World. London: T. Osborne, 1747.



First English edition of the first printed history of the Iroquois Confederation. This edition is revised and enlarged from the 1727 colonial edition—a very rare work known as the first historical book printed in New York. Lacking the resources to set up his own practice after studying medicine in Edinburgh, Dr. Cadwallader Colden emigrated to America in 1710. He moved to New York in 1718, was appointed surveyor-general of New York in 1720 and to the province's council in 1722, eventually becoming lieutenant governor for a period of years in the 1760s and 1770s. In this work, he offers a sympathetic view of the Iroquois confederacy, provides a list of tribal names used by the French, discusses the form of government among the Five Nations and relates the history of contacts between them, the French and the English settlers. He often draws on French authorities. However, despite his admiration of the patriotism of the Iroquois, Colden writes in his dedication that "the following account of the Five Indian Nations will show what dangerous Neighbours the Indians have once been; what Pains a neighbouring Colony (whose interest is opposite to ours) has taken to withdraw their Affections from us; and how much we ought to be on our Guard" (p. iv). For decades this was the main source for information of the Iroquois, and it colored English and American policy as a result. Lawrence Wroth notes that this was "almost the only book in English that pretended to give anything beyond the most general information about the manners and customs, history and organization of that confederacy of Indians...". According to Wroth, about 300 copies of this edition were printed before the title page was altered to change or omit the date. Howes C-560; Lande 144; Sabin 14273; Vail 435; Wroth American Bookshelf, pp. 91-95.



Octavo (198 x 120mm). Engraved folding map. Publisher’s ads on last page. (Two tiny wormholes in lower margin at beginning, just touching text of map, map rehinged and lightly edge-worn with a small reinforcement.) Contemporary calf, red morocco lettering piece (rebacked with original spine laid down, corners worn). Provenance: Penry Williams (bookplate) – Gordon W. Jones of Virginia (bookplate) – Ernest E. Keet (bookplate).

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