This is Sitgreaves' report documenting the important reconnaissance into hitherto forbidding and unknown country. The expedition consisted of Sitgreaves, Lieutenant J. G. Parke, Dr. S. W. Woodhouse, R. H. Kern, with Major H. L. Kendrick in command of the escort and Antoine Leroux as guide. The group left Santo Domingo, New Mexico, on August 1, 1851, stopped at Zuni in September and arrived at San Diego on November 30. The fine plates were drawn by R. H. Kern. Twenty-four of these plates are tinted lithographs that represent topography and the personal appearance, domestic habits, pueblos, and ceremonies of the Mojave, Zuni, and other Indian tribes of the Colorado plateau. Complete with the large folding map, which is normally missing, "Reconnaissance of the Zuni, Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers in 1851…," (47.5 x 26.3"). Wheat called this map, "a monumental achievement … exceedingly well done." The folding plate "Buffalo Dance," (10" x 7.5") is present, which like the folding map is usually missing. Two plates are missing: "Women Grinding Corn" and "Struthus caniceps, Woodhouse, male." Quarto, 198 pp, 78 lithographed plates (one folding), folding map bound at back. Senate Ex. Doc. 59, 32d Congress, 2nd Session. Original Senate binding in dark brown cloth with stamped title and designs on covers and spine.

References: Howes #S521; Wagner-Camp #230:2; Wheat (TMW) #763.

Condition: B+

A little cracking on spine edges with minor shelf wear. Some text pages have occasional foxing. The plates are very sound with light foxing on a few. The large folding map is better than most with only a few small fold intersection splits.