U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition – J. M. Gilliss – 1855 | First Edition, Illustrated
First edition of J. M. Gilliss’s U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition (1855), Vol. II, covering MacRae’s travels in the Andes and pampas, with 48 plates on natural history, geology, and ethnography.
James Melville Gilliss was an astronomer, officer in the US Navy and founder of the United States Naval Observatory. US Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere was Gillis’ reports to the 33rd Congress on Archibald MacRae journeys across the Andes and pampas of the Argentine provinces.
This second volume from the first edition documents minerals, Indian remains, mammals, birds, shells, fossils, dried plants, reptiles, and fish illustrating each with full-page engravings.
Bibliographic Details
- Title: U. S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the years 1849-1850-1851-1852
- Author(s): James Melville Gilliss
- Illustrator(s):
- Contributor(s): Archibald MacRae (Field Reports)
- Publisher: Washington: A.O.P. Nicholson
- Edition: First Edition, 1855.
- Format: (4to), single volume
- Binding: Leather spine with marbled boards
- Size: 11.75 in x 9.5 in (30 cm x 24.5 cm)
- Collation: ix, [3], 300 pp.
- Illustrations: 48 illustrations (37 full-page plates, 11 woodcut engravings)
- Contents Include:
- Journeys across the Andes and pampas
- Minerals and geological notes
- Indian remains
- Mammals and birds
- Shells and fossils
- Plants, reptiles, and fish
Condition:
Very Good. The leather-backed binding remains tight and secure, with rubbed corners and some wear to extremities. The text is complete, and the plates are intact and clean.
Why Collect This?
- First edition of an American government exploration report
- Volume devoted to South American natural history and geology
- Illustrated with 48 plates including zoological and ethnographic material
Item Number: #29222
Categories
Americana, American History
Military & War
Natural History
Medicine & Science
Voyages & Exploration & Maps
Authors
James Melville Gilliss
Printing Date
19th Century
Language
English
Binding
Leather
Book Condition
Very Good
Collation
Complete