![[ANGLING] PRENTISS, HENRY M. Instructions on outfitting a canoe tour of the West Penobscot River in Maine, from Moosehead Lake, through a series of smaller lakes, to Millinocket.](/sites/default/files/styles/auction_slider/public/images/lots/719/1466719.jpg?itok=Z4aMWYrG)
Lot Details
Lot 132
[ANGLING] PRENTISS, HENRY M. Instructions on outfitting a canoe tour of the West Penobscot River in Maine, from Moosehead Lake, through a series of smaller lakes, to Millinocket.
Bar Harbor, ME, 1875. 7 7/8 x 5 inches (20 x 12.5 cm); 19 pp., approximately 2000 words; Prentiss recounts experiences from an earlier trip in giving detailed advice, in a lengthy and detailed autograph letter, signed by Henry M. Prentiss from Bar Harbor, Maine, 21 July 1875, to "Mr. Joseph B. Warner." Folded, but very good and quite legible.
Advising Warner to work with the outfitter G.F. Dillingham in Old Town, Maine, Prentiss gives specifics of his own trip along the route the previous year, listing seven names of possible Indian guides (e.g., "Mitchell Pol Susup, 'get him if possible, our best man,'... Joe Nicola, 'a fair cook and good headman"), provisions for camp and meal, the 12 portages along the route, with descriptions (e.g., "3. Ripogenus Carry, four miles. Most interesting scenery, and best fishing. We stayed there 8 days, Indians to have plenty of time to get everything over"), details for several possible routes and speeds over the course, food consumed ("400 pounds flour, 200 pork, 600 pounds trout, and 500 pound musquash. 60 partridge. The trout are caught in various holes in the river. Indians know some of them, you find others by casting your fly in all attractive places sitting in bow of canoe when Indian is paddling down river... when you catch one or get a rise you stop and fish. Largest trout and best place, Chesuncook Dam - 3 to 4 pounds"), cautions ("e.g., "Loaded canoes [are] bad sea boats, and dangerous in heavy winds, but Indians [are] cautious"), special concerns about traveling with ladies ("necessary to go comfortably, that means time, blankets, appropriate flannel dress, some canned food ... they cannot live on pork and hard bread, or rough it"), costs ("Trip cost us $800 for five persons, five weeks"), travel arrangements and accommodations, and attractions ("The scenery is best of any river in Maine, I know them all... Katahdin always in sight and if you ascend it, you will find the White Mtns. uninteresting ever after"). Prentiss (1840-1906) was a Portland businessman who lived in Bar Harbor half the year; Warner (1848-1923) was a Harvard-educated Boston lawyer, prominent in bringing about the Boston & Maine Railroad merger in the early 20th century.
C Estate of Arnold 'Jake' Johnson
Additional Notes & Condition Report
No condition report? Click here to request one.