Beschreibung:

Title: Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Thirtieth Congress. Author: [Polk, James K] Place: Washington Publisher: Wendell & Van Benthuysen Date: 1848 Description: 1275 pp. Illustrated with 8 folding lithographed maps, including a large hand-colored one; 7 folding tables; 15 folding illustrations. (8vo) period half calf over marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition. Important message from the president, being the first official publication of the news of the California Gold Rush and containing three maps of the gold region. The large hand-colored map is of the U.S., reflecting the various portions added following the Mexican War; in addition there are battle maps from the Mexican War. Wheat notes it "Contains Colonel R.B. Mason's celebrated report of his visit to `the newly discovered gold placer in the valley of the Sacramento,' as well as Lieutenant E.O.C. Ord's `Map of the Gold and Quicksilver District of California,' and other maps of Gold Rush interest." These are a map of the Upper Mines and the Lower Mines or Mormon Diggings, and the Upper and Lower Gold Mines on the South Fork of the American River. Cowan p.426; Howes P446; Kurutz 105; Wheat Books 30; Wheat Maps 51, 52, 54. Lot Amendments Condition: Binding well worn, front cover and first 7 text leaves detached, rear cover loosely attached; a few folding maps and tables with short stub tears, foxing and offsetting; a good candidate for restoration. Item number: 227089