First edition. This government sponsored survey provides a comprehensive study of the geology of the Upper Mississippi to the Great Lakes, along with descriptions of the flora and fauna discovered there. Owen was the first to point out the rich mineral resources of the region and the first to survey the Bad Lands of the Upper Missouri (the incidental part of the report). The report (638 pp.) is richly illustrated with woodcut engravings of the countryside and geological formations. In addition to his skills as a geologist, Owen was a superb artist, and fourteen of the sketches in this report are from his own drawings. The accompanying illustration volume contains 27 engraved plates, 2 full-page maps, and 17 fold-out charts and maps. The plates record specimens of fossil remains of organisms found in various strata of the region; the charts and maps (several with great original hand coloring) deal with geology. Two volumes, 4to. Original embossed cloth covered boards with gilt titles. Published by Lippincott, Grambo & Co.

References: Sabin 58009.

Condition: B

Text volume clean and bright. Minor foxing to plates with some light offsetting on a few charts. Bindings tight, covers sunned with light shelf wear. Overall surprisingly good condition with large folding maps intact, without the normal faults.