Fremont's Exploring Expedition

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Author: Frémont, John Charles
Title: Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and North California in the Years 1843-'44
Place Published: Washington
Publisher:Gales & Seaton
Date Published: 1845
Description:

693 pp. With 22 lithograph plates; 4 (of 5) maps, 32 of them folding (plus modern facsimile map loose in separate modern folder). 21.5x13.5 cm (8½x5½)", later 19th century black half morocco, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition, Senate Issue.

Frémont's most important work, chronicling his seminal expeditions that revealed the paths and trails that were to be the highways by which the gold seekers would rush to California beginning in 1849. The important large folding map of the West is not present with this copy, but a facsimile is supplied. The first portion of the work reprints Frémont's report of 1843, covering his 1842 expedition to the Rocky Mountains, the second portion records his expedition of 1843-1844, delineating the major sections of the route subsequently followed by thousands of Oregon immigrants. This Senate issue contains scientific data not present in the smaller House issue. Bookplate of collector W.J. Holliday on front endpaper. Cowan p.223-4; Graff 1436; Howes F370; Wagner-Camp 115:1; Zamorano Eighty #39.
Condition Report: Minor edge wear, light rubbing to covers; moderate foxing throughout; one folding plate in 2 pieces (apparently cut at the time of rebinding, with some loss of image); else very good or better.