Unknown LEWIS & CLARK BIDDLE JOURNALS SURFACE

Rare first English edition, personal Volumes of Nicholas Biddle, publisher and editor of the Lewis & Clark Journals surface. Volumes have numerous holographic notations and historical information never before known.

January 23, 2003, GARRYOWEN, MONTANA -- 200 years ago this week President Jefferson invested $2500 into a scientific expedition. Who knew that it would change the world, as they knew it? Lewis & Clark were hand picked for the exploration that turned into a 5-year trek across the Missouri River, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

March 20th, 1953 was the date of the last find of significant historical Lewis & Clark material, when a barely legible script of Captain William Clark and some maps were found in an attic in St. Paul, Minnesota. Now in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Historical Rarities has launched an eBay auction offering a rare opportunity to own another cornerstone of Western Americana history, for a mere $250,000.00.

Nicholas Biddle was the publisher of the most important book in Western History, the Lewis & Clark Journals. For the first time, offered through Historical Rarities Inc. are Nicholas Biddles personal original 1815 first English edition copies of TRAVELS TO THE SOURCE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER, ACROSS THE AMERICAN CONTINENT TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN PERFORMED BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE YEARS 1804, 1805, AND 1806. These editions are signed by Biddle and inscribed with holographic notations. Also tipped into the books are original documents; one signed personally by Biddle, and one signed by Captain William Clark.

Biddle has also noted in his own hand that the vignette Portraits at the end of the English preface are from Bank note proofs engraved by Toppan. Governor Clark is said to be a very good likeness." Every indication has it that Biddle tipped in these rare bank notes" Kortlander said.

Since there were no cameras back then, these are the earliest known high quality images that document this pair of explorers" said Kortlander, director of Historical Rarities, whose offices are located in the historic town of Garryowen, Montana, which he personally owns. Kortlander also stated the important significance of this set of journals is priceless. I wanted the historical scholars and institutions to know that these books exist. EBay is the only global professional venue to offer such historical material, in a timely fashion."

For more detailed information, visit the current auction on eBay, item #2908068987, or contact the offices of Historical Rarities, Inc. at (406) 638-2020.