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Heap, Gwinn Harris; Beale, Edwin Fitzgerald : Central Route to the Pacific, from the Valley of the Mississippi to California; Journal of the Expedition of E. F. Beale, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in California, and Gwinn Harris Heap, from Missouri to California, in 1853

Lippincott, Grambo, and Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1854

Some copies were issued without the map, as this one is. Original publisher's brown cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine. 6" x 9 1/4." 136 pages, complete. Forty-six additional pages in back advertising other books. Thirteen plates in black-and-white and color, complete. The frontispiece features vibrant colors. The other color plates feature fewer colors in subdued tones. Pages are very clean and intact except for light age toning, occasional offsetting from printed text, and a former owner's bookplate tipped in on front pastedown ("Louis Laurin"). Covers are very clean and intact except for slight fading along spine, some chipping at head of spine, slightly bumped corners, and light rubbing on front, back, and spine. Binding is tight. A Very Good copy. A collection of printed diary entries kept by Gwinn Harris Heap (1817-1877) and his cousin, Edwin Fitzgerald Beale (1822-1893), on their expedition west from Missouri to California in 1853. The purpose of the expedition was to survey a route for the Transcontinental Railroad. Heap was an author, draftsman, and diplomat. The sketches he made on the 1853 expedition were the basis for the thirteen lithographs by P. S. Duval contained herein. Beale was a military officer, diplomat, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California and Nevada. Both Heap and Beale were involved in a short-lived War Department initiative of importing and using camels as pack animals in the American Southwest. Heap's journal is organized by day. Contents are listed as follows: "Journey from Westport to the Mouth of the Huerfano River," "Route from Huerfano River to the Coochatope Pass," "From Coochatope Pass to Grand River. Losses on Grand River," "Journey of Mr. Heap to New Mexico, and Back. Mr. Beale's Separate Journal," "Journey to the Mormon Settlements Near Las Vegas de Santa Clara," "Departure from Las Vegas de Santa Clara. Passage of the Desert. Arrival at Los Angeles, Cal.," "Resume of the Central Route from Westport, Mo., to Los Angeles, Cal.," "Itinerary of the Central Route," and "Appendix: Letters from Mr. Chas. McClanahan, and Mr. R. S. Wootton; Camels, as a Substitute for Horses, Mules, Etc.". Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Hardcover

1st Edition

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