Beschreibung:

With 6 engraved maps. 27x29 cm (10½x11½"), in boards with paper label. The maps in this atlas were produced to accompany Zebulon M. Pike's highly important account of his ventures into the western frontier controlled by the Spanish in Mexico. Pike's was the first United States government expedition to the Southwest, and his report was one of the most important of all American travel narratives. Includes accounts of Pike's travels to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red rivers, his earlier journey to explore the sources of the Mississippi River, and his visit to the Spanish settlements in New Mexico. Pike's narrative stands with those of Lewis and Clark as the most important of early books on western exploration and as a cornerstone of Western Americana. Howes P373; Wagner-Camp 9:1; Streeter Sale 3125; Wheat Transmississippi 297, 298, 299; Graff 3290; Field 1217; Streeter Texas 1047C; Sabin 62936. Original atlas volume accompanying "An Account of Expeditions to the Sources of the Mississippi, and Through the Western parts of Louisiana, to the Sources of the Arkansaw, Kans, La Platte, and Pierre Juan Rivers; Performed by Order of the Government of the United States During the Years 1805, 1806, and 1807. And a Tour Through the Interior Parts of New Spain, When Conducted Through These Provinces, by Order of The Captain-General in the Year 1807." The maps were the first to exhibit a geographic knowledge of the Southwest based on first-hand exploration and are considered "milestones in the mapping of the American West" (Wheat). The maps are: Falls of St. Anthony, 20x11 cm MAP | OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM ITS | SOURCE to the MOUTH of the MISSOURI | laid down from the notes of Lieutn Z. M. PIKE by Anthony Nau | Reduced, and Corrected by Astronomical observations of Mr. Thompson at its source; | and of Captn. M. Lewis, where it receives the waters of the Missouri. | BY NICHS. KING | Engraved by Francis Shallus, Philadelphia, 23.5x76 cm The | FIRST PART | of | CAPTN. PIKE’S | CHART | of the Internal Parts of | LOUISIANA | [rule] | See Plate 2 d References. || …40 miles to the inch | by Anthony Nau., 44.5x45.5 cm A MAP | of | THE INTERNAL PROVINCES | OF | NEW SPAIN | The outlines are from the Sketches of, but corrected and | improved by Captain Zebulon M. Pike, who was | conducted through that Country in the year 1807, by | Order of the Commandant General of those Provinces | [rule], 45x46.5 cm A | CHART | of the | INTERNAL PART | OF | LOUISIANA, | Including all hitherto unexplored Countries, | lying between the River La Platte of the Missouri | on the N: and the Red River on the S: the | Mississippi East and the Mountains of Mexico | West; with a part of New Mexico & the Province | of Texas. By Z. M. PIKE Captn U. S. I. | [rule], 43.5x38.5 cm A | SKETCH | of the | VICE ROYALTY | EXHIBITING | The several Provinces and its | Approximation [sic] to the | Internal Provinces | of | New Spain [rule], 32.5x39.5 cm