Mapping the Transmississippi West, 1540–1861,

From the Spanish discovery to the opening of the Civil War

5 volumes in 6. Volume One: The Spanish Entrada to the Louisiana Purchase 1540-1804 xiv+264 pages with color frontispiece map and 275 maps (many folding) and index; Volume Two: From Lewis and Clark to Fremont 1804-1845 xiii+281 pages with colored frontispiece map, 143 additional maps (some folding) and index. Volume Three: From the Mexican War to the Boundary Surveys 1846-1854 xiii+349 pages with colored frontispiece map, 322 additional maps and index; Volume Four: From the Pacific Railroad Surveys to the Onset of the Civil War 1855-1860 xiii+260 pages with color frontispiece map, an additional 127 maps (some folding) and index; Volume Five From the Civil War to the Geological Survey, Part One: xviii+222 pages with color frontispiece map and an additional 152 maps; Volume Five From the Civil War to the Geological Survey, Part Two: [223]-487 pages with 124 maps and index. Folio (14 1/2" x 10 1/2") bound in quarter green leather with gilt lettering to spines. volume I printed by the Grabhorn Press; volumes II-V printed by Taylor & Taylor and James Printing based on the designs of Edwin and Robert Grabhorn. First edition limited to 1000 copies.

Carl Wheat's Mapping of the Trans-Mississippi West is a comprehensive and readable cartographic history of the American West. The first three volumes of the work are by necessity bulky and out sized to accommodate the many maps contained with their covers. These beautifully printed books present a truly graphic picture of the exploration and peopling of the vast unknown land west of the Mississippi. The author does not merely present a catalog of significant maps of each era but tells the exciting story of many facets of history that resulted in their making-of the hard journeys, the hazardous exploits, the motivation, the mysticism, the misunderstandings and the strange blend of fact, imagination, false geographic concept and political necessity which were consummated in the engraver's work. These volumes will provide exciting text for the casual reader and have become eminent source book for the student and scholar.

Condition:

A near fine set. Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply.