Hitchcock was an eminent professor of chemistry and natural history at Amherst College and was selected in 1830 to conduct a general survey of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The publication of his first report and map in 1832 marked an epoch in American geological work as this was the first survey of an entire state conducted at public expense. The first edition was reprinted in 1833. In 1837, he was commissioned to make a further geological and mineralogical survey, which was updated in 1839 and reprinted here in 1841. A very lovely map that has 21 geologic groups shown through color and design, plus symbols to further locate deposits of plumbago, coal, iron, lead, copper, manganese and zinc. Early lithographed map published by B.W. Thayer in Boston. These maps were issued in small quantities and are seldom seen.

References: Marcou & Marcou #204; Phillips (M) p. 401.

Condition: B

A slightly uneven impression with a binding trim at lower right. A repaired binding tear at right extends 2" into map but is confined to blank space. Minor soiling and offsetting.