Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History

[SOUTH AMERICA]

GILLISS, J.M., Lieutenant. The U. S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849-'50-'51-'52. Washington: Nicholson, 1855. Volumes I & II only. Contemporary three-quarters morocco bound for "EWD. M. THOMAS," the spines tooled with stars and lettered in gilt. 12 x 9 inches. Complete per plate lists, the first volume with 14 maps and lithographed views, several folding or in color, including the large folding color panorama of Santiago; the second volume complete with 47 plates and maps, including many colored plates of birds. Signs of old staining and wear, soiling at places, the hinges loose and a booklabel removed from pastedowns, ink markings at the front of volume two.

An interesting and well-illustrated mid-19th century report on South America, including maps and views of cities as well as much on wildlife by important figures in the field such as Baird, Cassin, Gould, and Brackenridge. A detailed breakdown of the sections is as follows:

Vol. I: Gillis, J. M. Chile. One col. lith. plate by J. M. Stanley, one fold-out col. lith. panorama 177 x 29 cm, 7 uncol. lith. maps, one uncol. lith. by J. Queen, 3 uncol. lith. plates, and text figs; xiii + 556 pp. Vol. II: ix + following sections: MacRae, A. The Andes and Pampas. Two uncol. lith. maps and text figs; pp. 1-68. MacRae, A. Observations. Text fig.; pp. 69-82. Smith, J. L. Report on the Minerals and Mineral Waters of Chile. Pp. 85- 107. Ewbank, T. A Description of the Indian Antiquities brought from Chile and Peru. Three col. lith. plates by J. M. Stanley and text figs.; pp. 111-150. Baird, S. F. Mammals. One uncol. lith. plate by J. H. Richard; pp. 153-171. Cassin, J. Birds. Fifteen col. lith. plates, incl. 8 by W. Dreser; pp. 172-206. Girard, C. Reptiles. Fishes. Crustacea. Twelve uncol. lith. by J. H. Richard; pp. 207-262. Gould, A. A. List of Shells. P. 263. Gray, A. List of Dried Plants. Pp. 267-269. Brackenridge, W. D. List of Living Plants and Seeds. Pp.270-271. Wyman, J. Fossil Mammals. Two uncol. lith. plates by O. J. Wallis; pp. 275-281. Conrad, T. A. Fossil Shells. Two uncol. lith. plates by J. H. Richard; pp. 282-286. Philippi, R. A. Meteoric Iron of Atacama. Pp. 287-289. Index. Pp. 291-300.