Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 6858:
Description
Included in this lot:
Entrance of the Tejon Pass and a Portion of the Tejon
Plain between the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers
White Bear Lake
Rounded hills, Tertiary (Between Ocoya Creek and Posuncula River)
Ravines in the Bed of the Ancient Lake
The Great Basin from the Canada de las Uvas with Lost Mountains in the Distance
Description of the work:
This historic lithograph is from
Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economical Route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean… The work was published between 1855 and 1860 in Washington by Beverley Tucker, Thomas F. Ford, and A.O.P. Nicholson.
The work came about as part of the Pacific Railroad Surveys conducted under the direction of the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. The Surveys were conducted to explore the American West and document possible routes for trancontinental North American railroads. Surveyors, scientists, and artist partook in the journeys and gathered information that covered 400,000 square miles.
The publication was "… probably the most important single contemporary source of knowledge on Western geography and history and their value is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of many beautiful plates in color of scenery, native inhabitants, fauna and flora of the Western country." (Robert Taft, Artists and Illustrators of the Old West, p. 5)
The
Reports "… contain[ed] a monumental collection of scientific information, geographical, zoological, botanical, geological of the still mysterious American West. Upon first examination, the volumes seem forbiddingly disorganized, however these faults are amply compensated by the richness of material within." (Wagner-Camp 262)
Paper Size: ~ 11 1/2" by 8 5/8"
Paper Type or Special Features: Lithograph
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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