Part I-Luxury Asset Auction: Featuring Property from the Estate of C. K. McClatchy, Sacramento, CA (Live Internet Auction)

Fremont, John Charles. Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and North California in the Years 1843-'44. By Brevet Captain J.C. Fremont, of the Topographical Engineers, under the Orders of Col. J.J. Abert, Chief of the Topographical Bureau. Printed by Order of the Senate of the United States. Washington: Gales and Seaton, Printers. 1845. Collation: [I-ii]blank, [1]title, [2]3-132 text, fold. map, 133-136 text, map, 137-154 text, map, 155-246 text, fold. map, 247-319 text, [320] blank, 321-693 astronomical and meteorological observations, [694] blank, fold. map, inside pocket. 9 x 5 1/2 in. The text leaves show some browning, typical of that era. Binding: Dark brown blind stamped cloth over boards; backstop: gold stamped: (4 lines) Fremont's First & Second Expeditions 1842-3-4. The cloth binding is in fine condition with the exception of a few wear marks on the corners and top of the backstop. Maps: No. 1. Between pp. 132-133, fold. Untitled route map in Bear River Valley. 18 1/2 x 9 in. No. 2. The Great Salt-Lake. 9 x 5 1/2 in. No. 3 Between pp. 246-247, fold. Untitled route map from the Rio Sacramento and Nueva Helvetia over the Sierra Nevada via the American River and Lake Tahoe. 9 x 25 in. No. 4. Pocket map inserted into rear binding, fold. Map of an Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842. Oregon & North California in the Years 1843-1844 by Brevet Captaincies. J.C. Fremont of the Corps of Topographical Engineers Under the Orders of Col. J.J. Abert, Chief of Topographical Bureau. Lith. By E. Weber & Co., Baltimore, Md. 30 1/4 x 50 1/2 in. Plates: 20 lithographs. Wagner-Camp-Becker calls for 22 plates. References: Down I, p.91; Cowan II, pp. 223-224; Graff 1436; Howell 50/88; Howes F370; Streeter 3131, Wagner-Camp-Becker, 115:1. This is a beautiful first edition of Fremont's massive government report documenting his two Western expeditions of 1842 and 1843-44 comprising 20,000 miles of wilderness exploration had an immeasurable influence in opening the vast territory to American expansion. In many ways it became the fade mecum of "Manifest Destiny". The second expedition had the crucial effect of linking the interior with the surveys of Commodore Charles Wilkes along the Pacific Coast. Accompanying him were the well-known mountain men, Kit Carson, Alexis Godey and Thomas Fitzpatrick. Demonstrating the potency of his report, he described the Great Salt Lake as a "bucolic place". A future reader, Brigham Young, read his report and decided that this remote location was indeed "the place" for his persecuted Mormon followers. William Goetzman in his monumental Exploration and Empire, commented that "Fremont's view of California was important. He was one of the first and certainly one of the most widely red observers to printout its agricultural virtues." No doubt, too, the plates gave America a dramatic view of its rugged landscape. Especially interesting is "Pass in the Sierra Nevada of California" showing the explorers deep n snow. As is well known, the Pathfinder's devoted wife, Jesse Benton Fremont, provided unstinting support and inspiration in the writing of text. because of her, the daily entries have an absorbing, magnetic quality. A key feature of the publication is the large folding map by Fremont's cartographer Charles Preuss, which incorporated both expeditions and covered, as the great explorer explained:"about ten thousand miles of actual traveling and traversing in the wilderness which lies between the frontiers of Missouri and the shores of the Pacific." It is truly a landmark in Western cartography. To further assist the reader, Fremont supplemented the map with a table of distances from Kansas Landing to Fort Vancouver , 1843 and 1844. Immensely popular, twenty five editions were published between 1845 and 1860 but the maps were not always included in the later versions. The federal government did not publish all the editions as several were printed and distributed by such firms as D. Appleton & Company and H.H. Bancroft & Company.  Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $25.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.