First Edition of Hitchcock's Important Maps and Report

"[Maps with Report] A Geological Map of the United States and Canada [and] Outline of the Geology of the Globe", Hitchcock, Edward

The first map (24.2 x 16") is Hitchcock's landmark map of 1853. Essentially, it is a compilation of Lyell’s map for the eastern portion combined with M. Boue’s Geological Map of the World for the western portion modified by the author’s generalizations derived from the relations of geography to geology, as argued in the report. In this respect, he freely admits that such generalizations for the western US might be greatly erroneous. This map provides early detail of the geological formations. An explanatory key to the colors indicates fifteen geologic formations.

The second map (23 x 18") is drawn on Mercator's Projection. It shows the entire world with a separate hemisphere of the "Supposed Antarctic Continent" that locates Wilke's Land, South Victoria, Enderby Land and Cook's sighting of 1774. This map uses six different colors to locate as many geological formations. Along the bottom are the comparative heights of mountains and volcanoes aligned with the position on the map. Condition: Clean and bright with original color, a short binding tear at left that just passes the neatline, a few small abrasions along the left portion of the image, and two tiny holes to the left of the explanatory key.

These important geological maps are bound in the original report "Outline of the Geology of the Globe, and of the United States in Particular; with Two Geological Maps, and Sketches of Characteristic American Fossils," by Edward Hitchcock, Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Company, 1853, 5.5 x 9". First edition, octavo, 136 pp., 6 plates, and 2 folding hand-colored geological maps. In original blue blind stamped cloth with gilt title on spine. This work is notable for containing his first attempt at a geological map of the United States. His son C. H. Hitchcock also notes that "the part relating to the United States is the first attempt to show the distribution of rocks from the Atlantic to the Pacific border." The report and it's two maps are rarely seen together.

References: Marcou & Marcou #4 & #41.

Condition: A

Maps are clean and bright with original color. Covers show light wear and a few stains.