Lot 470: HEAP, Gwinn Harris (1817-1887). Central Route to the Pacific, from the Valley of the

HEAP, Gwinn Harris (1817-1887). Central Route to the Pacific, from the Valley of the Mississippi to California. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo and Co.; London: Trübner and Co., 1854.

8 o. Half-title, 16-page publisher's advertisement at end. Folding map of the central route from the Mississippi to California tipped in at lower pastedown and 13 tinted lithographed plates. Original green-blindstamped cloth, gilt-lettered on spine (library marks and wear to spine). Provenance: Springfield, Mass. City Library Association (bookplate, and circulation pocket, perforated stamp on title).

FIRST EDITION. Heap records his western journey with the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, E. F. Beale. "The most significant desert reference...relates to an account given by the Rev. James W. Brier--one of the original pioneer emigrants who crossed Death Valley in 1849...the earliest published account of Death Valley...of all the journals and diaries telling of the Mojave desert crossing, none appears comparable to the Heap in sheer readability and in picturesque descriptive quality" (Edward, Enduring Desert, pp. 110-11). The map, depicting the route from Missouri to California, is not inserted in most copies. Cowan p. 273; Flake 3934; Graff 1837 ("Some of the areas explored are here described for the first time"); Howes H-378; Mintz 562; Rittenhouse 290; Sabin 31175; Streeter V:3177; Wagner-Camp-Becker 235; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 808. Sold not subject to return.

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