REPORT OF THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION FROM SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, TO THE JUNCTION OF THE GRAND AND GREEN RIVERS OF THE GREAT COLORADO OF THE WEST, IN 1859; Under The Command of Capt. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Topographical Engineers (Now Colonel of Engineers); with Geological Report by Prof. J.S. Newberry, Geologist of The Expedition.
Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1876. First Edition. Hardcover. Quarto. 12 in. x 9 1/2 in. Original stamped brown cloth, triple ruled in blind, with gilt lettering to spine. Moderate scuffing and edgewear to boards, with several bumped corners and rubbing to extremities. A small (half-inch gouge to front joint, possibly a worming start. Tightly bound. Light toning throughout. Very clean overall.
Illustrated with eleven stunning (tissue-guarded) chromolithographs, three black and white landscape plates, and eight paleontological lithographic plates of fossils found during the expedition, after sketches by expedition geologist, J. J. Newberry.
Large, folding map bound-in at rear (36 in. x 30.5 in./ Map portion: 34 in. x 28 1/4 in. Some light toning to mostly to folds, with several very short separations at fold-points, and a few old cello-tape reinforcements/repairs. Overall, very clean. "The gold fields of four Territories, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona unite in the centre of the Map, comprising the southern portions of the various mountain ranges generally called the Rocky Mountains..."A delicate tint was ruled over the whoe plate to give the effect of a plaster model of the country." (Cartographer Baron F.W. Von Egloffstein.)
Of this map it is written: "...It is one of the most beautiful maps ever published by the Army...A number of explorers' routes are shown, in addition to Macomb's route...This is a landmark map for various reasons. First, because it is the first to show a trail to the junction of the Green and the Grand. Second, because it is the culmination of Egloffstein's method of ruling maps and applying acid for varying times to convey the idea of altitude. And, third, because of the numerous trails of other explorers contained on it. It will stand for a long time as perhaps the finest map produced by this curious and revealing, yet evanescent, method." (. Very Good. Item #88167
"Publication of this report was intended for 1861, but the Civil War compelled a delay of fifteen years." (Howes, M-179; Wheat 983).
Price: $3,500.00