With 111 (of 123) copper-engraved maps and plates; maps all outlined in period hand-coloring (except London and Paris maps) plus insets; 3 of the plates show celestial and navigational figures, and rivers and mountains of the world. (Oblong 4to) 9½x11¾, bound in period ¼ sheep and marbled boards, front cover paper label with inked lettering, later endpapers.
Includes the important map of the southwest showing California, Texas, Mew Mexico and Utah along with portions of Northern Mexico, drawn by J. Grässl in 1852 titled "Vereinigte Staaten von Nord-America: Californien, Texas und die Territorien New Mexico u. Utah," providing a fine example of precise German-style engraving of the era. Shows the California Gold Region highlighted in gold from Marysville to the lower Joaquin Valley; also, titles Fremont's 1845 route which passes through "Mormon City" [Salt Lake City]; California’s boundaries not clearly marked and merges with Utah; Colorado River titled; plus several important markings and titling including “Austins Grant” in Texas, many early roads, Indian Tribal names, California Missions and Forts titled, unusual configuration for Texas and New Mexico, and a host of other details shown. Maps also cover 5 continents, 8 ancient world, 7 of the United States, 27 of the German regions, and more. Lacks 12 of the original maps titled: Orbis Veteribus notus; Italia inferior; Frankreich; Turkey; Rumelien; Anhalt; Mittel-America; La Plata, Chili, Bolivia; Windkarte der Erde; Regenkarte der Erde; Magnetische Meridiane; and Verbreitung der Culturgwächse. See Wheat, Maps of Gold Region, 217; Wheat, Mapping Transmississippi West, 750.
Condition:
Slight fading and light rubbing to extremities, corners bumped; mild offsetting and foxing, occasional marginal fingering; maps very good to near fine, most clean and bright.