Following the annexation of Texas in 1846 and the U.S.-Mexican War of 1847, the United States acquired vast new territories in the west. The United States and Mexican Boundary Survey was established to fix the southern boundary of the United States from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the coast of California and to explore the territory it enclosed. From Brownsville to El Paso the boundary followed the river. From that point west to the Pacific, at a point just south of San Diego, where the western terminus had been fixed, the job was much harder. There were no landmarks, and the intervening country was largely unknown. A completely artificial boundary had to be fixed and marked. The Survey was plagued throughout by mismanagement, disorganization and personnel changes, and had to be renewed after the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 added a new slice of land below New Mexico and Arizona. The final report on the work of the Survey was published in 1857-1859, in three volumes and provided an incredible wealth of information about the Native Americans, flora and fauna inhabiting the region.

Six colored lithographic prints by Arthur Schott, artist accompanying the Emory boundary survey across the Southwest. Lot includes 1)"Arenenos. Subtribe of the Papagos" (two warriors fishing); 2) "Pimo Women" (two bare-breasted maidens with beautiful baskets); 3) "Yumas" (handsome warrior and two maidens); 4) "Co-Co-Pas" (shown trading for jewelry); 5) "Diegenos" (a family with mother and child); and 6) "Papago" (two young women harvesting Saguaro fruit). A great set of tinted lithographs that were some of the first views made of this region of the United States.

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Condition: A

Two have some light scattered foxing, others very good.