Lot 366: MÖLLHAUSEN, Balduin (1825-1905). Diary of a Journey from the Mississippi to the Coasts of the Pacific. With a United States Government Expedition . Introduction by Alexander von Humboldt. London: Longman, 1858.

MÖLLHAUSEN, Balduin (1825-1905). Diary of a Journey from the Mississippi to the Coasts of the Pacific. With a United States Government Expedition . Introduction by Alexander von Humboldt. London: Longman, 1858. 2 volumes, 8 o (219 x 140 mm). Half-titles. 11 chromolithographed plates, folding engraved "Map Illustrating Balduin Möllhausen's Travels from the Mississippi to the Coast of the Pacific," woodcuts in text. Early 20th-century blue half morocco, top edge gilt, by Bayntun (light rubbing to joints). FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH of Möllhausen's classic Tagebuch , with the fine engraved map. Humboldt's introduction occupies pp. xi-xxxv in vol. I. Möllhausen, a Berlin-born artist, first visited the American frontier in 1847-1852. Back in Germany he befriended Alexander von Humboldt, then returned to the U.S. and secured the post of artist and topographer with Lt. A.W. Whipple's Pacific Railroad expedition, scouting possible transcontinental railroad routes at the 35th parallel. Departing Fort Smith on the Arkansas, the Whipple expedition crossed Texas and northern New Mexico and Arizona, arriving at Los Angeles some nine months later. Möllhausen's fine lithographs constitute an important pictorial record of this expedition and the Pueblo Indians and other tribes encountered. His account features interesting ethnographical and anecdotal details not present in the official survey reports. Graff 2849; Howes M-713; Streeter sale V:3134; Sabin 49913; Wagner-Camp-Becker 305.2; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 956; Wheat Books of the California Gold Rush 145; Wheat Maps of the California Gold Region 268 note. (2)