(West) Map to Illustrate an Exploration of the Country, lying be

Map To Illustrate and Exploration of the Country, lying between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, on the line of the Nebraska or Platte River

An important map for the West by Charles Preuss and Fremont, and a key work for western exploration and for igniting the career of the "pathfinder" J.C. Fremont, as they chart the route to South Pass. With Charles Preuss as cartographer, Kit Carson as the guide and experienced explorer, Fremont mapped an area from the juncture of the North and South Platte rivers, down to St Vrain's and Cache La Poudre River, beyond the Medicine Bow mountains through to the Wind River range. It's the first map to articulate these areas, and was an honest description of what was known, never giving in to imaginary geography. Wheat describes the it a high recommend as a "highly creditable production" and lists in as map #464 in his great tome. This is by far the scarcest of Fremont's maps related to the West, and this is without a doubt the nicest instance we've encountered.

The map is complete in the report of 207 pages, which includes a number of early sketch lithographs for everything from Chimney Rock, and Fort Laramie to the Wind River Range. The book is bound in old green buckram, has a tight spine and is in very good condition, complete with gilt spine labelling. Text has very light foxing toward the back, but that is sporadic. The condition of the map is very good+, it retains its original hand color, which is strong. Has no browning along the folds, and is sold and intact save for a very small opening tear and a bit of the lower left margin and border being cropped. Image size is approximately 32.5 x 14 (inches)