The Life of John Ledyard, the American Traveller; comprising selections from his Journals and Correspondence. Second Edition by Jared Sparks (1829 Hardcover)


  • Author:   Jared Sparks (1789-1866)

  • Publisher:   Hilliard and Brown, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A. 1829


Second edition of this life of John Ledyard, the famous sailor on Cook's third voyage and author of one of the very few published accounts of Cook's discoveries. This specific edition is not cited by Beddie, who records (1659-1662) London and Cambridge editions of 1828 as well as a London "second" edition of 1834, yet from inventory for sale in 2017, this American edition/printing provides a significant portion of total antique book market for this title.


John Ledyard (1751-1789), the Connecticut traveler and adventurer, was one of the first great American explorers. He accompanied Cook's third expedition as a marine/sailor, and so visited the Pacific, the Northwest Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, where he was one of the oarsmen in the boat which took Cook ashore for the parley at which he was murdered. With this as a background, he continued to expand his exploration of the globe and promote international trade adding to the legend of Yankee ingenuity.


Jared Sparks (1789-1866) was an American historian, educator, and Unitarian minister. He served as President of Harvard College (now Harvard University) from 1849 to 1853. He compiled this biography from the original journals and documents possessed by the Ledyard family.


Hardcover exterior is contemporary calf with no DJ. Covers worn, and scuffed, covers detached from text but present, spine chipped in several places with 1" detached at foot, leather label present and still readable. Contents are free of notes, but age-toned and foxed throughout, soiling to page-ends and to a few text pages, text is complete and binding is holding. Pages are fragile with chips from page-edges. However, end-pages, including both fly-leaves, have been removed. This has caused the separation of cover from text. Stored & will be shipped in plastic storage bag to preserve book for your restoration.


  • Size:  12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall, 310pp

  • Condition: Fair Hardcover w/o Jacket – 2nd edition, always privately owned



Copyright November 24, 1827 in the U.S.A. with state of Massachusetts. Stated Second Edition. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR.



Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:


Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”.  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...


Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.


Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership.


Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition

for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.


Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure

someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or

a book that has been damaged.)


Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have

missing pages (you should ask).


Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.


1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector

might desire this copy.


Thanks for looking!