PBA Galleries

xv, 286 pp. Illus. with 65 plates incl. 12 lithographed views; 10 engraved geological sections incl. 1 hand-colored & folding (numbered 1-11, no No. 2, as issued); 6 lithographed paleontology plates; 18 lithographed zoology plates; & 19 lithographed botany plates (numbed I-XX, no No. XVIII, as issued). 2 large folding maps bound into a second volume, sectioned and linen-backed. Text volume 22x14.5 cm (8¾x5¾"); Map volume 24.5x17 cm (9¾x6¾"). Uniformly bound in three-quarter brown morocco and marbled boards.  First Edition, House Issue.

"Contains authentic information regarding the peculiar customs of the Indians of the southern plains. Their mode of warfare, their invariable violation of the chastity of female prisoners, and the condition of their dwellings and villages, are particularly described" - Sabin. Wagner-Camp adds that "Marcy's report abounds in topographical and geographical detail." The two maps are Map of the Country Between the Frontiers of Arkansas and New Mexico... (quite large, approx. 59x27"), showing Marcy's route from Fort Smith to Santa Fe in 1849 and his return east in 1851 in addition to other explorer's routes, which Wheat calls important, and a smaller Map of the Territory Upon Upper Red River Explored in 1852. This copy complete with all plates issued, although as noted by Graff, "Geology Plate II was not published, nor was Plate XVIII of Botany." Graff 2675; Howes M276; Rader 2346; Sabin 44512; Wagner-Camp 226:1; Wheat Transmississippi 791.