JAMES, Edwin (1797-1861), compiler. Account of an Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, Performed in the Years 1819 and '20, by Order of the Hon. J.C. Calhoun, Sec'y of War: Under the Command of Major Stephen H. Long. Philadelphia: H.C. Carey and I. Lea, 1822-1823. 3 volumes: comprising 2 volumes text, 8vo (210 x 134 mm) and atlas, 4to (300 x 240 mm). Atlas with 2 double-page maps after S.H. Long by Young & Delleker, 8 plates (one hand-colored). (Some spotting to text leaves as usual, a few margins repaired or renewed, a few plates spotted, two maps, three plates and geological projection possibly later, possibly supplied from another copy) Text bound in contemporary half calf, marbled boards (rebacked preserving original spines), atlas in contemporary brown paper covered boards, brown printed label to upper cover (rebacked in brown cloth). FIRST EDITION of this "Notable government expedition [commanded by Maj. Stephen H. Long], supplementing earlier discoveries of Pike and of Lewis and Clark, and pronouncing the plains region as nothing but a desert, incapable of cultivation! The atlas volume of the original edition is dated 1822" (Howes). Howes J41; Sabin 35682; Wagner-Camp 25:1.