The Mormons, or, Latter-Day Saints,: in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake: A History of their Rise and Progress, Peculiar Doctrines, Present Condition, and Prospects, derived from Personal Observation, during a Residence among them.

first edition 12mo. (in sixes), x, (13)-168, 28 (Lippencott's advt.)pp., wood-engraved frontispiece plate, original dark brown cloth, sides elaborately blocked in blind, spine gilt lettered, some scattered light foxing, neatly recased with the original endpapers reused.

Inscribed on front endpaper "Presented to Jones Johnston of the ship Victory by John S. Young of Norfolk, State of Virginia, U.S.A.. June 2nd 1858" and on a preliminary blank "Jones Johnston Ships Victory of Liverpool at Norfolk State of Virginia U.S.A. June 2nd. 1858".

Wagner-Camp 213:1. Flake-Draper 3746. Howes G-463.
An important early firsthand account of life in the Salt Lake Valley during the first few years of Mormon habitation. Gunnison (1812-1853), American army engineer, surveyor and explorer was in 1849 "assigned as assistant to Captain Howard Stansbury in the first exploration of the Great Salt Lake Basin by the Army's Topographical Engineers. ... Both of the officers were favorably impressed by the organization and communal spirit of the Saints. Gunnison's book reflects his views of the Mormons". In 1853 during further surveys of Utah in search of a possible railway route through the Rocky Mountains Gunnison was killed by Pahvants Indians, with the suspected collusion of some Mormon elements. Several places and geographical features in the region are named after him.