A. Oil and Gas Yielding Formations in California, by W.L. Watts, published 1900, printed color. The comprehensive report describes the early development of the oil industry in California. It is accompanied by 14 maps showing the geology, oil fields and wells in Southern California. Two maps depict the locations of oil wells throughout the city of Los Angeles. Another map of the Summerland District shows the first offshore wells in the United States and the piers from which they were drilled. Inserted is a broadside list of publications available from the California State Mining Bureau dated 1907 that shows no copies of this bulletin were available. Octavo, printed wrappers, 236 pages with 14 maps. Only one past sales record located in the last 30 years.

B. The Genesis of Petroleum and Asphaltum in California, by A.S. Cooper, published 1899, black & white. This report describes mostly the geology of the oil formations. There are no maps included, but there is a full-page illustration of the first offshore wells entitled Cross Section through Treadwell’s Wharf showing Submarine Oil Wells Summerland Santa Barbara Co. Octavo, printed wrappers, 89 pages with additional in-text illustrations.

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Condition: A

Folding maps are clean, crisp and fine. Report text is clean and bright. Paper wrappers have light wear and minor chips.