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. From the Notes of Major Long, Mr. T. Say, and Other Gentlemen of the Exploring Party. (in two volumes)

Philadelphia: H. C. Carey and I. Lea. Very Good+. 1823. Hardcover. A two-volume first edition of an account of the Long Expedition to the Rocky Mountains by expedition botanist and geologist Edwin James. Compiled from the notes of Major Stephen H. Long, Mr. T. Say, and other gentlemen of the party by Mr. James. This rather scarce set presents the account of the experiences of the Stephen H. Long expedition of 1819-1820, in which Long was sent to find the source of the Platte River in the Rocky Mountains. Lacks the separate accompanying oversize atlas which was issued in 1822 per Howes J.41, who remarks [the expedition was notable in that it supplemented] ". . .earlier discoveries of Pike and of Lewis and Clark, and pronouncing the plains region as nothing but a desert, incapable of cultivation!". --- In maroon half leather and marbled paper-covered boards with gilt-stamped spine titling, four raised bands to spines and marbled endpapers. --- A very nice set, with bright, mostly unrubbed marbling. Hinges just starting, vol's retain their tightness. What appear to be inked stampings on leaf near front and p.361 of vol. II proclaims "H.L. Scott/7,Cavalry". (The U.S. Army Seventh Cavalry Regiment was charged with protecting settlers on the plains, and was commanded by Col. George Custer.) Prior owner's signatures to versos of ffep's and with a few inkings, small tears and rubbed spots to cover leather.; Octavo (8 to 9 in. tall); (11), 503, (6), 442, xcciii pages .