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 rebacked with quarter imitation leather and original marbled boards, and signatures resewn, with titles stamped in gold on the spine panel and with front and rear endpapers replaced. All volumes are for the House of Representatives except Volume XI, which is a Senate document. 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, but a few maps do have a bit of insect damage. 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 very good condition, and each volume is able to withstand regular use. The plates and maps are in uncommonly very good to fine condition.