The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere, During the Years 1849- '50-'51-'52

Inscribed by author to Lewis M Rutherfurd who was an astronomer, and a pioneering astrophotographer and invented instruments including the micrometer for measuring photographs

Volumes I, II, III and VI and Appendix I and II of 6. xiii, [2], 556 pages with frontispiece, illustrated with a very large folding panorama of Santiago, Chile, with some hand-tinting view in color, figures, tables, color plate, four lithographic plates, 8 engraved maps & plans (4 of them folding) and index; ix, [3], 300 pages with 15 color lithographed plates of birds; 4 other color lithographed plates; 4 duotone lithographed plates; 17 steel-engraved plates of fauna and fossils, mostly fish and reptiles, figures, tables, 2 maps one folding and index; cclxxxviii+492 pages with tables and one plate; xlviii+420 pages with charts; Appendix I: xlvi+420 pages with plates and foldout plate. Volumes III, VI and Appendix I on meteorological observations. Quarto (11 ¼" x 9") in original publishers half leather with marbled boards, raised spine bands and black label with gilt lettering to spine; volume III in original decorative brown cloth with gilt-stamped vignette on the front cover and decorative blind-stamping, spine lettered in gilt; Appendix I in publisher's original green cloth with blind stamped ruled edges and gilt lettering to spine. Volume III inscribed by J M Gilliss to Lewis M Rutherfurd. House Documents 121. (Sabin 27419) (Hill: 602) First Edition.

Volumes IV and V designed to contain the results of the astronomical observations were never published. The material was published later by the U S Naval observatory in its Astronomical and meteorological observations for1868 as Appendix I and Astronomical magnetic and meteorological observations for 1890 as Appendix I 1895 herein contained.

Report of an illuminating expedition to Chile and Argentina, the third official U.S. exploring expedition after those of Wilkes (to the Pacific) and Lynch (to Palestine). Much more than astronomy was studied, and there are numerous reports on the flora and fauna, people, settlements, archeology, etc., of the region. Noteworthy as well for the superb color lithograph ornithological plates, the detailed engravings of fish and reptiles, the accurate maps, and the striking, large fold-out panorama of Santiago. Volume I is devoted to Chile, with Volume II mostly on Argentina. Report of journeys across the Andes and pampas by the Argentine provinces is by Archibald McRae. Appendices on minerals by L J Smith, on Indian remains by T Ewbabnk, on Zoology and mammals by S F Baird, on birds by J Cassin, on reptiles, fishes and Crustacea by C Girad, on shells by A A Gould, on botany of dried plants by Asa Gray, botany of living plants and seeds by W D Brackenridge, paleontology fossil mammals by J Wynn and fossil shells by T A Conrad.

Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (November 25, 1816 – May 30, 1892) was an American lawyer and astronomer, and a pioneering astrophotographer. Lewis Rutherfurd abandoned his study of law in 1849 to dedicate his leisure to science, particularly astronomy. He performed pioneering work in spectral analysis, and experimented with celestial photography. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Rutherfurd served as a trustee of the Columbia University from 1858 until 1884, and donated his photographs to that institution. In 1884 he was named as one of the delegates to the International Meridian Conference. He and J W Gilliss were original members of the National Academy of Sciences created in 1863, and was an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Condition:

Title of volume one stained and some worming at leather edge where marbling board touch, corners bumped, rubbing to spine ends and corners, some foxing; volume two renewed spine and corners, stain at front end page gutter, some light foxing; volume three inscribed on title by Gilliss, spine ends chipped, corners bumped and rubbed; volume six spine ends chipped rubbing to extremities, marbled boards rubbed, some scuffing and chips to leather; appendix I corners bumped and rubbed, two small abrasions to cover, extremities rubbed else a good to very good set of a unique association copy. Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply.