Lot 1066: EMORY, WILLIAM HEMSLEY. 1811-1887. Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, Made under the Direction of the Secretary of the Interior. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, 1857-1859.

EMORY, WILLIAM HEMSLEY. 1811-1887.
Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, Made under the Direction of the Secretary of the Interior. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, 1857-1859.
2 volumes in 3. 4to (261 x 198 mm). XVI, 258; VIII, 174; [xiv], [9]-270; 78; [2], 62; 32, [2]; 35; 85, [3], II pp. 2 lithographed maps, one of which is large and folding, a folding geological section, a folding meteorological chart, and 334 plates, 25 of which are hand-colored lithographed plates of birds. Modern burgundy cloth, spines lettered in gilt. Lacks the 12 color lithographs of Indians, toned, occasional spots and stains, offset from some plates, light marginal dampstains at end of volumes, spines with wear.
Provenance: H.K. Gloyd (bookplate & gift inscription in 3rd volume).

FIRST EDITION, HOUSE ISSUE of what Jenkins considers "one of the most significant of all government reports on western and southern Texas." Emory, a West Point graduate and a decorated veteran of the Mexican-American War, was assigned the position of chief astronomer for determining the official American-Mexican boundary line. He was later appointed United States Boundary Commissioner in 1854, which he served until the task's completion in 1857. Although some have criticized Emory's writing style and the organization of the above work, the scientific content is of considerable importance and includes sections on cartography, geology, paleontology, botany, mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Carl Wheat considered Emory's cartographic reports the "best specific ... reports" of the area. The large folding map is: Map of the United States and Their Territories between the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean and Part of Mexico.... Howes E146; Jenkins Basic Texas Books 57; Sabin 22538 (Senate issue); Wagner-Camp 291; Wheat Transmississippi West 916.