Funding provided by the Bruce and Jolene McCaw, Donor Advised Fund has allowed for the acquisition of 16 exquisite books relating to maritime exploration, travel, and the history of the American continent, for the WSU Libraries. These books are among the finest volumes from the Library of William E. Boeing, founder of the Boeing Company. With this donation, WSU is now the only library in the Northwest to own copies of Lionel Wafers A New Voyage and Description of the Isthmus of America, published in 1699 and Woodes Rogers A Cruising Voyage Round the World, published in 1712, and the first English edition of the first history of California, Miguel Venegas A Natural and Civil History of California, published in 1759.
The gift also includes a beautiful first (1801) edition of Alexander Mackenzies Voyages from Montreal. A decade before Lewis and Clarks famous journey across America, Mackenzie traversed the length of Canada (from Montreal to the Pacific Ocean) twice. With its maps, the book will appeal to scholars in disciplines across campus including History, English, Anthropology, Geography, and Fine Arts. Previously WSU students and faculty only had access to microfilm or modern reprints of this book (both poor substitutes for the original edition).
"I'm delighted to have these books on campus for my graduate seminar on travel literature this fall," said Debbie Lee, Professor of English, Washington State University.
With a growing interest in the interdisciplinary field of book history, these first editions will allow students and faculty to study the books as physical artifacts.
These are the kind of books I dream about, but cannot hope to buy. The Boeing books beautifully complement our existing rare book collections relating to journeys and exploration. I am especially pleased that well have a first edition of Duflot de Mofras Exploration de l'Orgon with its influential, hand-colored map of the Northwest. said Trevor James Bond, Interim Head, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections.
The Boeing books are available to the public in the reading room of Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Terrell Library ground floor, Monday-Friday 8:30 to 4:30.
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