Original hardcover volume. Free shipping to any of the 50 U.S. states.
EXPLORATION OF THE RED RIVER OF LOUISIANA IN THE YEAR 1852 - WITH REPORTS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. 33rd Congress Executive Document
By Randolph B. Marcy - Captain Fifth Infantry U.S. Army. Assisted by George B. McClellan, Brevet Captain U.S. Engineers. Endorsement by Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War on reverse of title page.
From A.O.P Nicholson Public Printer Washington 1854. 286 text pages, and then soldes the super cool plates.
Includes 12 plates of "Landscapes", 2 of which are bound in upside down! The most noteworthy of the plates are 1. Granite Boulders (I aint never seen no natural rocks look like that). 2. Encampment on 6th June (Impressive scene) 3. Witchitaw Village on Rush Creek (Some very odd looking structures).
Next comes 10 plates of "Geology". One of these is a long foldout - tinted - 27" long. This one is present, but detached from the book. Per the index, there should be 11 geology plates, but I believe one of these was never published in the first place.
Then comes "Paleontology" plates I through IV (6 total) all bound in upside down.
Next are the "Zoology" plates - 18 of these, most of which are also bound in upside down.
Finally are the "Botany" plates - 19 of these. Per index, there should be 20 Botany plates. Plate 18 is not present. Does not look like it was removed - most likely missed while binding.
There are no maps with this volume. Maps were issued in a separate volume - not included here.
Condition:
The GOOD: No interior markings. Not ex-library. No torn pages. Binding loosening in places, but still holding decently. Condition of all of the plates is EXCELLENT, with practically zero foxing, stains, yellowing, browning, spotting nor tears. Only significant defect on the plates is the long fold-out has tears at the folds - see photo.
The NOT SO GOOD: There is what I would call LIGHT foxing/browning/spotting in places from beginning through end of text pages. None of this is detracting from the reading of the text.
The UGLY: There is degradation on the bottom right corner of the front cover - see photo please. This degradation carries through to a smaller degree to the first several pages, lessening as you get into the book. Degradation on the interior pages is less than 1/16" and disappears completely about half way through the book. Fortunately, none of this carries through to the plates.
The best part of this book is the exceptional condition of all of the plates. Hard to find in a volume of this age. I have probably overstated the defects, but I want you to be happy with the book.
Returns accepted with full refund if you are not satisfied. (You would need to pay return shipping.) Sorry, no sales to Canada or anywhere other than 50 U.S. states. Book will be well packaged and shipped at my cost.
If you visit someone, and you see no books in their house - Run Away! Run Away!
MN-7