by Timothy Kent. A two-volume set, softbound, 686 pages, 8" x 11". An invaluable resource for those interested in North American history, the fur trade, canoes, early exploration, the traditional life ways of Native American people, early military transport, and sailing craft. The core of the book is based on the author’s discovery of eight surviving original voyaging canoes of the nineteenth century, four in full size and four miniature models. These historical treasures, representing both freightcanoes and express canoes, are preserved in museum collections in England, Canada, and the United States. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of each element of these canoes, which contain a number of previously unreported features, as well as authentic period repairs of the bark cover and wooden elements. Also included is a reexamination and expansion of all the fur trade materials in the classic work by Adney and Chapelle. This is necessary in light of the newly-discovered original specimens,as well as numerous new historical resources, of which both Adney and Chapelle were unaware. In addition, these volumes contain extensive chapters on the origins, manufacture, decoration, usage, sailing, portaging, repair, storage, equipment, and cargoes of voyaging canoes. A great deal of this material pertains to the 17th and 18th century French era of the trade. Based on unpublished record books and documents of French outfitters, traders, and travelers, as well as numerous other early documents, much of this material has never before been published.
