PBA Galleries

495 pp.; errata slip. Illustrated with 25 plates, a number folding, including: 4 barometric charts; 1 route profile; 1 diagram of magnetic fields; 5 lithographs of fossils; 9 lithographs of fish; 3 lithographs of plants & plant parts; 2 maps, 1 of these quite large. (4to) 29.7x23 cm (11¾x9"), original green cloth, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition.

With the ownership signature of George Davidson, Sept. 9, 1876, to title page. The route Simpson explored in 1859 shortened the distance to California by 250 miles, and was adopted by the overland mail, pony express and telegraph. Submitted in 1859, the report on the explorations was not published until this edition because of the Civil War, although parts of it appeared in Simpson's "The Shortest Route to California," Philadelphia, 1869. In addition, this volume offers the first printing of Edward M. Kern's diary of Fremont's 1845-46 explorations. The large map, "Map of Wagon Routes in Utah Territory..." (66.4x121.5 cm) is detailed and significant. The smaller map is "Routes of Father Escalante from Santa Fé to Lake Utah and back... 1776-7" (22.1x24.2 cm).

Provenance: California Book Auction, 4/2/87

References: Graff 3791; Howes S501; Sabin 81355; Wagner-Camp 345 (note); Wheat Transmississippi 999.