1853 · Washington
by Sitgreaves, Lorenz
Washington, 1853. 198pp. plus large folding map (detached) and seventy-eight plates (one folding, some tinted). Original blindstamped cloth, rebacked with original backstrip laid down. Light scattered foxing, else very good. Sitgreaves and his party traversed the country from northern New Mexico to San Diego in the summer and fall of 1851, crossing northern Arizona and descending the Colorado to Yuma before crossing the desert. This report is notable for its many lithographed plates of scenes along the route, as well as flora and fauna. The natural history specimens are described by John Torrey. Wheat calls the map "a monumental achievement...generally correct and exceedingly well done." HOWES S521. WHEAT TRANSMISSISSIPPI 763. FIELD 1414. WAGNER-CAMP 230:1. MEISEL III, p.134. SABIN 81472. GRAFF 3809. TAXONOMIC LITERATURE VI, p.403. REESE, BEST OF THE WEST 130. (Inventory #: WRCAM18968)