Patten Free Library

Description

Title page from the first volume of the Journals of Lewis and Clark in the personal library of Maine's first Governor William King. The King Library was donated to the Patten Library Association in 1852 and became the core collection that grew into the present day Patten Free Library of Bath.

This 1814 publication, known as the Biddle-Allen edition, was the long-awaited official publication of the Lewis and Clark expedition. One thousand four hundred and seventeen copies of this edition were printed for purchase. William King, a prosperous Bath merchant, shipbuilder, and land owner, added this work to his private library in 1814 reflecting his far- reaching interests.

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