REPORTS OF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, TO ASCERTAIN THE MOST PRACTICABLE AND ECONOMICAL ROUTE FOR A RAILROAD FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. MADE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN 1853-4, ACCORDING TO ACTS OF CONGRESS OF MARCH 3, 1853, MAY 31, 1854, AND AUGUST 5, 1854.

Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855 - 1861., 1855. First edition. Each volume has been rebound black buckram, and signatures resewn, with titles stamped in gold on the spine panel. While each volume is stamped with the word "Senate" on the spine, five of the volumes are actually for the House of Representatives. Any volume with a flaw is noted as follows, VOLUME I: Viii, 651 pp., small stamp of Library of Washington and Jefferson College at bottom of title page with the word "withdrawn" stamped in light blue ink at bottom of title page and on "Contents of Volume I" page, else very good, tight copy. VOLUME IV: Presentation inscription to Irving Holcomb from Hon. F. E. Sprimer [?], dated Nov. 1857. Small water stain to bottom edges of front fly leaf which continues lightly to page 3, else very good, tight copy. VOLUME X: Light foxing to first eight pages in the front of volume and to last eight pages in rear of volume, else very good, tight copy. VOLUME XI: Moderate foxing and two small water stains that diminish over first sixteen pages, else very good, tight copy. A majority of the color lithographic plates are in fine condition as are the majority of all black and white plates. Volume XI contains maps and plates, including the desirable large folding map done by Lt. Warren. All maps and plates in this volume are tightly secured. Howes P3 says, "... it was the best cartographical work on the West up to its time and some copies were colored." Wagner/Camp says, "Despite their flaws, these volumes contain a monumental collection of scientific information, geographical, zoological, botanical, geological, of the still mysterious American West. Upon first examination, the volumes seem forbiddingly disorganized; reports clearly were printed as they were received; there is no overall system or arrangement, nor are there general indices to the volumes, and, as Camp has pointed out, there is the usual duplication of printing and lithography by both houses of Congress. However, these faults are amply compensated by the richness of the material within." A very handsome, completely rebound set that is in fine condition, and each volume is able to withstand regular use. The plates and maps are in uncommonly fine condition.