Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, made under the Direction of the Secretary of the Interior [complete set]

4to [29.5 x 24 cm]; 4 parts in 3 volumes, xvi, 258; viii, 174; 62, 35, 32, 85, ii; 270; 78 pp, 347 plates including 25 hand colored of birds, 12 colored of views & native peoples, 3 large folding maps (1 colored with 4 inch tear), 2 other maps/charts. mixed cloth bindings, including original cloth, 2 volumes in rebound cloth, cover wear, minor foxing on few leaves, mostly marginal, stain in margin of one title page, one volume with library stamp on cover & title, interiors very good, sound set. A pictu This is one of the first scientific explorations of the area including its natural history, botany, geography, geology. The boundary delineated by Emory as described in this work demonstrates his competence and skill since it remains largely unchanged today. A cornerstone work on the exploration and mapping of the US southwest and the Texas-Mexican border. Besides Emory's reports, there are scientific reports by James Hall, T.A. Conrad, Spencer F. Baird, Charles Girard, C. C. Parry, George Engelmann, etc. George Merrill, 1906, History of American Geology, p. 461: 'This has the distinction of being the earliest coloured geological map of the region published by the Government. It is, moreover, of historical interest as showing how little was definitely known of the region.' Dobie 86: 'Emory's great two volume report is, aside from descriptions of borderlands and their inhabitants, a veritable encyclopedia, wonderfully illustrated, on western flora and fauna.' The plates include views, geology, mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, botany, cacti, costume plates of native people, etc. Only 3,000 copies of volume two were printed, making complete sets uncommon. Jenkins 57. Howes 3312. Wheat 916, 917,918, 919. Wagner/Camp 291. Reese 31. A complete set with all plates, numerous text illustrations, maps, including the large folding colored 'Map Illustrating the General Geological Features of the Country West of the Mississippi River', which is often lacking. Because of weight, extra shipping cost.