For sale in this lot is a very rare edition of Histoire de Kentucke, written by American writer John Filson. The book was published in 1788, by Chez Buisson of Paris, France. The book was originally published in Willmington, Delaware in 1784 to help endorse migration to Kentucky, where Filson had a large stake in land holdings. Filson arrived in Kentucky in 1783, and soon settled in Lexington, where he became a teacher, and land surveyor. by 1872, relative peace had come upon Kentucky after the Battle of Blue Licks, which in part diminished the omnipresent menace from the Native Americans. At which point, Filson seized on the idea to publish an account of the dramatic story of Kentucky's settlement and its natural history that would attract settlers, and thereby increase the value of his landholdings. As Fislon was conducted his land surveys, and traveled though the Central Bluegrass region, he began intensively interviewing prominent frontiersmen such as Daniel Boone, James Harrod, and others about their Kentucky experiences. This book is known as the first written history of the state of Kentucky. The main works of the novel consists of breif descriptive essays on topics such as nature of the local soils,, air and climate, inhabitants, and right of land. Filson was clever to use the testimonials of the renowned frontiersman to endorse his book. The rare engraved folding map was compiled by Filson himself, but engraved by Henry Pursell, and printer Ternon Rook. The map is said not to be completely accurate, but coveys the sense of civilization, and progress of the territory. Overall, the book shows very-good condition for age, complete with the map, and showing good aesthetics, with minor scuffs, and scrapes across the cover. The book measures 7 7/8" x 5 1/8" x 1". For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer‰Ûªs responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.