“THIS INQUIRY IS OF DEEP INTEREST TO THIS COUNTRY… AS PREGNANT WITH UTILITY IN RELATION TO THE BUSINESS PURSUITS OF LIFE"

FEATHERSTONHAUGH, G.W. Geological Report of an Examination Made in 1834, of the Elevated Country Between the Missouri and Red Rivers. Washington: Gales and Seaton, 1835. Slim octavo, original olive cloth. $950.

First edition, House of Representatives issue, with large, hand-colored folding elevation map.

In 1832 English cattleman Featherstonhaugh, a long-time U.S. resident, "helped organize the Geological Society of Pennsylvania to lobby the state legislature for a geological survey of Pennsylvania… In autumn 1832 Featherstonhaugh moved to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress for an appointment to make a geological survey of the United States. He was unsuccessful, but he did receive commissions from Congress in 1834 to survey the area between the Missouri and Red rivers in the Arkansas Territory and in 1835 to survey lead and copper deposits in the Wisconsin Territory" (ANB). The hand-colored elevation map shows underlying rock of the Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. Sabin 23961. Armorial bookplate of P.T. Jackson, possibly Massachusetts merchant and manufacturer Patrick Tracy Jackson.

Scattered light foxing to interior, original cloth shows light age-wear. Near-fine condition.