198 pp. Illustrated with 79 lithographed plates, most are duo-tone; large folding map in the back titled "Reconnaissance of the Zuñi, Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers made in 1851 under the direction of Col. J.J. Abert." (8vo) 22x14 cm (8¾x5½), original blindstamped cloth. Senate Executive No. 59, 32nd Congress, 2nd Session. First Edition.
The expedition, consisting of Sitgreaves, Lt. J.G. Parke, Dr. S.W. Woodhouse, R.H. Kern, with Major H.L. Kendrick in command of the escort and Antoine Lerouz as guide, "left Santo Domingo, New Mexico, on August 1, 1851, stopped at Zuni in September, and arrived in San Diego on November 30. Most of the lithographed plates are from drawings and paintings by Richard Kern, a few by Edward Kern, some uncredited. They consist of 23 duotone lithographs of views, (numbered 1-24, with no plate 14, as issued); 6 mammal plates; 5 bird plates (no plate 2, as issued); 21 reptile plates (numbered 1-20, with a plate 10a); 3 fish plates; and 21 botanical plates.
Condition:
Some light wear to cloth, spine head frayed, ink stamps on endpapers and title page; map detached and with an approximately 6" tear, several other short tears at folds; several plates with ink stamps on verso, one plate with crude hand coloring; foxing; very good.