[AMERICANA]. EMORY, William H. (1811-1887). Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, made under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, 1857, 1859.

3 parts in 2 volumes, 4to. 3 folding maps and charts (including one hand-colored), folding profile, folding chart, numerous plates including 25 hand-colored lithographed plates of bird specimens by Spencer Baird and several color lithograph plates of Native Americans and areas explored. (Some marginal toning, large hand-colored map laid in.) Original blind-stamped cloth (vol.1 recased, vol.2 rebacked preserving original spine, fore-corners worn). Provenance: Lake Forest Library (bookplate); South Newmarket, N.H. Free Public Library (bookplate).

FIRST EDITION, House of Representatives issue, of what is considered “one of the most significant of all government reports on western and southern Texas” (Jenkins). Emory was tasked with determining the official American-Mexican boundary line which still remains largely unchanged 150 years after his original survey which is considered one of the most important surveys ever conducted. “This extensive report is the foundation work on the exploration and mapping of the United States-Mexico border” (Reese). THE EARLIEST OBTAINABLE COPY WITH EXPLANATORY NOTE REGARDING THE MISSING MAP THAT IS TO BE BOUND UP IN SUBSEQUENT COPIES. The title-page in vol.1 also appears to be an early variant titled "United States and Mexican Survey. Report of William H. Emory".

Howes E-146; Hill 562; Jenkins 57; Reese, Best of the West 150; Wagner-Camp 291; Wheat, Transmississippi 822-826.
[Vol.1 laid in with:] Small broadside copy of a letter from Emory to the Superintendent of Public Printing explaining the absence of the general map and requesting one copy of the first volume of his report may be sent to each member of both Houses of Congress.

[With:] Another copy of vol. 2., Senate issue. Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson, 1859. -- Another copy of vol. 1 with a variant title: Report of William H. Emory. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, 1857.

Property from the Estate of Peter Fortsas