Beschreibung:

Journal of a Military Reconnaissance, from Santa Fé, New Mexico, to the Navajo Country James Simpson 1852 SIMPSON, James (1813-1883). Journal of a Military Reconnaissance, from Santa Fé, New Mexico, to the Navajo Country. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1852. Author's presentation copy to the artist, "one of the most accurate and complete of all the narratives of exploration of the country of the Zuni and the Pueblos Indians" (Sabin). "Lieutenant Simpson led an expedition northwest from Santa Fe in 1849 … His report published some of the earliest views of the Pueblos, a topic of consuming interest for American artists ever since. This report also mixed chromolithographs, hand-colored lithographs, and uncolored lithographs, all from the shop of Peter S. Duvall. It was among the earliest of government-sponsored explorations in the American West to be extensively illustrated with color plates" (Stamped with a National Character). The expedition artists were Richard and Edward Kern, whose names grace many geographic features in California. This is Edward's copy, given to him by Simpson. Bennett p. 98; Palau 31488; Howes S-498; Stamped with a National Character 29; Sabin 81353; Deák 590. Octavo (225 x 138mm). Folding map and 75 plates, many tinted or in color (map and some plates toned, occasional spotting to text and plates). Contemporary publisher's periwinkle stamped cloth (worn and stained, spine sunned). Provenance: Edward Kern (1822-1863; erased presentation inscription and note from William Reese).