BARTLETT, John Russell (1805-1886). Personal Narrative of Explorations and Incidents in Texas, New Mexico, California, Sonora, and Chihuahua, connected with the United States and Mexican Boundary Commission, during the years 1850, ’51, ’52, and ’53. New York and London: D. Appleton & Company 1854.
2 volumes, royal 8vo (229 x 140 mm). Half-titles; 16 lithographed plates after Bartlett including folding frontispieces, large folding map in vol.1, numerous wood engravings. (Offsetting to title-pages and a few text leaves from plates.) Early 20th century half morocco gilt, spines in 3 compartments with 2 raised bands, gilt-lettering in one, others gilt, top edges gilt, stamp-signed by G.P. Putnam. Provenance: armorial bookplates.
FIRST EDITION of "the most scholarly and scientific description of southwest Texas of its era" (Jenkins). "John Russell Bartlett was a talented artist, observer, and reporter, who contributed greatly to the knowledge of the geography and topography of the Southwest in his Personal Narrative. During three years with the Mexican Boundary Commission, he traveled widely from central Texas to the Pacific Ocean, and from Mazatlan to San Francisco. A contentious man, and lacking perhaps in certain administrative skills, Bartlett succeeded in antagonizing most of his fellow officials on the Commission" (Wagner-Camp 234:1). Cowan p.36; Graff 198; Howes B-201; Jenkins 12; Rader 287; Sabin 3746; Wheat, Transmississippi 798.
