News & Updates

New Acquisition in Special Collections

By Mark Tillson

May 31, 2016

A recent acquisition to our general rare books collection is what appears to be a very unassuming 66-page volume entitled Hunter’s Panoramic Guide from Niagara to Quebec by W. S. Hunter published in Montreal, 1857.

It is bound in brown cloth with gold stamped decoration. It measures only 5 inches by 7 and one half inches. However, when you open the front cover, you realize that is a pretty special book.

Inside the reader immediately finds a fold out engraving of a drawing by Alfred R. Waud tracing the Niagara River to Lake Ontario and then the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. When completely unfolded, it measures over 11 feet long. It is, of course, not one continuous sheet of paper, but many pieces joined. The condition of the fold out is remarkably good, and the fact that it is still securely attached in the book is a wonder.

 

 

 

The contents of the book include descriptions of towns and villages found along the St. Lawrence River. There are points of interest, churches, descriptions of the people of the regions and general statistics. Accompanying the text are more than 50 more engravings also drawn by Waud.  At its original purchase price of $1.00, it was surely a great resource and well worth the money! Stop by Special Collections to see this amazing little volume, but you may want to call first. We will need to clear some space!