[Rarebooks] FS: Superlative American 19th C. Science Association Copy

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

   A landmark 19th century scientific expedition
   report, inscribed from the author, the founder
   of the U.S. Naval Observatory, to the first
   Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who
   was also the President of the National Academy
   of Science-


Gilliss, Lt. J[ames] M[elville].  "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition
to the Southern Hemisphere, during the years 1849-'50-'51-'52" 
Washington; A.O.P. Nicholson: 1855.

The purpose of this expedition, as the title suggests, was to take
observations of Mars and Venus, but just as important was the extensive
exploration the party performed in the cities and countrysides of Chile
and Argentina. Gilliss includes notes on the geography, climate,
government, society, mineral and agricultural resources, and flora and
fauna of the area, and these beautifully and copiously illustrated volumes
include 15 spectacular ornithological plates as well as a rather
extraordinary 69 inch folding, partly-colored panorama of Santa Lucia.

Gilliss is more famous in astronomical circles than natural history
circles these days, as he founded the U.S. Naval Observatory, securing
Congressional funding for the project in 1842, and later traveling to
Europe to buy instruments, and also purchasing the books which became the
core of the Observatory's library. He served as its Superintendent from
1861 until his death in 1865.

Volume 1 of this set is inscribed in ink on the title page- “Prof. Joseph
Henry, with regards of The author”, and then has a penciled note in a
different hand- “?.M. Strong from Joseph Henry –Washington”

Joseph Henry (1797-1878) is considered by many to have been the foremost
American scientist of the 19th century. Largely self-taught, Henry never
graduated university, but eventually became the leading experimental
physicist in the United States. In 1846 he was named first Secretary of
the newly-established Smithsonian Institution, and he was also a founding
member and President of the National Academy of Science. As Secretary of
the Smithsonian, Henry’s keen interest in meteorology led him to set up an
official network of weather observers which laid the foundations for the
National Weather Service. Among his other achievements were the discovery
of electromagnetic self-induction and the construction of the first
working telegraph.

2 volumes.  Hardcover. 9"x12". Volume 1: xiii + 556 pages, plus a 69"
panoramic folding view of Santa Lucia, 3 folding maps, 1 single-page map,
3 single-page plans, 5 lithographed plates and a brilliant
chromolithographed plate of an Araucanian chief; Volume 2: x + 300 pages,
plus 1 single-page map; one folding map (discolored along the folds); 3
chromolithographed plates of Indian antiquities; 15 chromolithographed
plates of birds, 15 lithographed plates of fish and other animals, and 2
lithographed plates of fossils; some woodcuts in the text. Both volumes
bound in period quarter calf with marbled boards; covers worn and scuffed,
hinges of Vol. 2 cracked on the outside and taped inside; pp. 183/4
misbound after pp.178; a little soil here and there, but except for the
map (noted) the plates are clean and nice.

A superlative association copy of a
lovely and important set.  $2,000.00

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JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
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