American "Roadside Curio Shop" leather covers

Phelps, McKinnie L.

[INDIAN CAPTIVITY NARRATIVE]. The Indian Captivity Of Mary Kinnan 1791-1794. A Long Forgotten Frontier Tragedy

Boulder, Colorado: Pruett Press, 1967. 8vo. 138 pp., printed on fine paper. Included in the pagination is a complete reproduction of the original Kollack Narrative and other reproductions. With initial letters illuminated by the author's wife, Carolyn Phelps. Original cloth, fitted with a (unique?) leather book jacket, extensively tooled to reproduce the design of the publisher's cloth binding that it covers (offsetting from leather onto map designs on the first and last leaves, and the loosely inserted Prospectus, otherwise this book is in the freshest possible condition). Very good. Item #3954

THE REMARKABLE "WESTERN" LEATHER COVER ON THIS BOOK IS PERFECTLY EXECUTED AND MUST HAVE TAKEN A VERY SKILLED LEATHER CRAFTSMAN DAYS TO CREATE. The first owner of this copy is not identified, and the reasons for which he/she commissioned this extraordinary piece may never be determined. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable piece of "Western" American book arts, the likes of which one might find on a leather saddle, or something offered in a roadside Rest Stop or Curio shop (!)

This edition is valuable because it contains a reproduction of the original printing of the Kollack Narrative (Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1795), a copy of which was in the Siebert sale of 1999 and realized $18,400. Siebert explains: "Kollock's florid embellishments [...] not only on the vogue for high-flown, sentimental literature but also served as propaganda endorsing General Anthony Wayne's Ohio campaign. On 3 August 1795, Wayne concluded the Treaty of Greenville with the Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot and Miami Indians. The treaty established distinct boundaries between the white settlements and Indian lands, forcing the recalcitrant British to abandon their frontier outposts, and ultimately, their influence over the Indians. The end result was a marked increase in immigration into the Northwest Territory."

Edited by Jack D. Filipiak, the present edition provides useful bibliographical references and extensive notes. As we learn from the original prospectus, "For the first time, the basic and supporting accounts of the long captivity of Mary Kinnan have been brought together under one cover. Her brother's own account of the thrilling rescue of his sister is included."

Edition limited to 750 copies, of which this is No. 392 (signed by McKinnie Phelps as is true of all copies).

From the Dorothy Sloan Collection.

Price: $250.00