Page 97 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript Americana - Sale 2310 - April 16, 2013

201 ● (NEW YORK.) Printed wrapping paper of Brinkerhoff & Cuyler, grocers
of Red Creek, NY. Illustrated with an eagle promising “Satisfaction to all!” 40 x 29
inches, printed area 9 x 10 inches, with child’s hand-drawn map of the state of New York
on verso; folds, minimal wear. Np, circa 1880 [100/150]
202 ● (NEW YORK.) Waldron, William Watson. Sketch Book of a Traveller. 242,
[31] manuscript pages, and engraving of London as frontispiece. 4to, original 1/2 calf, endpapers
covered with clippings, needs binding; a few pages worn with minimal loss of text.
Westchester, NY, circa 1836 [400/600]
William Watson Waldron was an Irish-born poet who moved to New York as a young man,
being naturalized in 1843. This is apparently his memoir, though he professes to be merely the
editor. It begins with his departure from Ireland circa 1825, and includes several chapters on his
time in London. He stays with his cousin Francis Danby (1793-1861), a successful painter
then at the peak of his fame, and discusses Danby’s art at length. The last half of the memoir
discusses his emigration to New York circa 1828. Here he describes the harbor upon his arrival:
“Islands covered with the most luxurious groves, the shores of the Jerseys, Long and Staten
Islands studded with towns, hamlets and villas, fishing vessels scattered around and boats plying
about all combined to render this scene unsurpassed in nature” (page 97). He was duly
impressed by the metropolis: “New York has the most imposing appearance whether viewed
externally from the ocean or the neighbouring heights, and on entering it the highest expecta-
tions of the stranger are amply fulfilled in the elegance of its buildings, the splendour of its
shops, and the fashion displayed in the streets” (page 109).
One chapter deals in large part with slavery and abolition. He describes a visit to New York’s
African Free School, praising the learning and manners of the students. He also transcribes
three poems by the school’s students: “On Slavery” by George Allen, aged 12; “On Freedom”
by Thomas Sydney, aged 12; and “Night” by J. Smith, aged 14. These poems appear to be
unpublished.
The manuscript also includes an account of a trip by steamer up the Hudson and down the
Erie Canal, culminating with descriptions of Niagara Falls and the Seneca village near
Buffalo. Other chapters are devoted to a bucolic summer stay at Charlotte Temple’s Cottage in
Morrisania (now the Bronx); an 1830s visit to Saratoga (including a description of the Shaker
community at Niskayuna starting on page 174); and finally a description of the environs of
West Point. Waldron published several books after his arrival in New York, but this memoir
appears to be entirely unpublished.
203 ● (NEW YORK—BUFFALO.) Barton, James L. Commerce of the Lakes.
Folding table. 8vo, original printed wrappers, moderate soiling and wear; faint dampstain-
ing; later bookplate on inner front wrapper. Buffalo, 1847 [400/600]
FIRST EDITION. A study of Great Lakes and Erie Canal commerce, with an appended essay
on “The True Canal Policy of the State of New-York.” Howes B217; Sabin 3846;
Severance, Buffalo Imprints, page 597.
204 ● (NEW YORK—BUFFALO.) A Concise View of Black Rock, Including a
Map and Schedule of Property, Belonging to the Niagara City Association.
Folding map. 12mo, contemporary cloth gilt, minor wear; small red number on title page,
map worn with crude tape repairs and separations at folds but largely complete; bookplate
on front pastedown. Black Rock, NY, 1836 [400/600]
“Large folding map . . . locates old Fort Adams, the river batteries, and other points connected
with the War of 1812. Of great value in many respects. . . . An exceedingly scarce volume”—
Severance, Buffalo Imprints page 576. Sabin 55113 (not calling for map).