[FILLMORE, Millard (1800-1874), his copy]. STANSBURY, Howard (1806-1863). An Expedition to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah...with an Authentic Account of the Mormon Settlement. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1852.

2 volumes, 8vo, comprising text and atlas. 3 folding maps (2 large maps bound in atlas volume); 59 lithographed plates. (Some spotting to title-page.) ORIGINAL DELUXE PRESENTATION RED MOROCCO gilt with The Great Seal of the United States within large central arabesque, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettering in second, others gilt, all edges gilt (spine lightly darkened); atlas volume in original gilt-lettered brown cloth (light sunning to extremities); folding chemise morocco-backed slipcase. Provenance: Millard Fillmore, 13th President of the United States (presentation inscription from the author, his ownership signature on pastedown dated 29 July 1852); Frank C. Deering, noted American book collector (morocco book label).

THE FRANK C. DEERING COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION.

PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY STANSBURY TO THE 13TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: "To Millard Fillmore, President of the United States, with the respects of the author."

Fillmore, Utah, was established in 1851 as the first territorial capital of Utah, named in honor of U.S. President Millard Fillmore. This naming recognized Fillmore's significant role in the establishment of Utah Territory, particularly for his bold decision to appoint Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the territory's first governor on 28 September 1850. Fillmore's administration faced the challenge of integrating the largely Mormon population of the region into the broader framework of U.S. governance and made a calculated move in appointing Young. Now, as both the territorial governor and the religious leader of the Mormons, Young occupied a unique and influential position as the authority in the Utah Territory that now created a complex political dynamic between church and state governance, leading to tensions between the territorial leadership, federal authorities, and the broader population. This lack of clear separation between church and state governance resulted in significant friction, with Mormons feeling persecuted and unfairly treated by the federal government, while non-Mormons believed they were marginalized and discriminated against within the territory. These escalating tensions contributed to the so-called "Utah War" (1857–1858), a conflict between Mormon settlers and federal forces, which ultimately resulted in Brigham Young's removal from his position as governor.

Stansbury's An Expedition to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah was published in the same year as his report to the Senate, Exploration and Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, which was also published by Lippincott, Grambo & Co. Stansbury commanded a detachment of the Army's Topographical Engineers which explored the Great Salt Lake Basin in 1849. "Of particular interest were the newly established Mormon settlements, and the routes and passes through the Rockies for emigrants" (Wagner-Camp 219:1). Graff 1490; Howes S-884; Sabin 90370. A SUPERB ASSOCIATION COPY.

Selections from the Library of Dr. John Talbot Gernon

[FILLMORE, Millard (1800-1874), his copy]. STANSBURY, Howard (1806-1863). An Expedition to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah...with an Authentic Account of the Mormon Settlement. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1852.