"[2 Folding Maps] Survey of Cumberland River. Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting a Report of the Survey of the Cumberland River", U.S. War Department

This is Howard Stansbury's report and survey concerning the practicability of extending steam boat navigation up the Cumberland River. The region surrounding the upper Cumberland River was rich in mineral resources and Congress wanted to understand the feasibility of removing natural obstacles in order to access these resources. The report includes the following two folding maps: Survey of the Cumberland River from The Falls to Nashville with a View to the Removal of the Obstructions to Steam Boat Navigation between Those Points (44 x 23"), and Map of the Cumberland River from the Falls to Nashville (sheet measures 29.3 x 19.7"). The former shows the route from below Barboursville, Kentucky to the confluence of the Cumberland River and the Great South Fork, just above Nashville. This map includes four cross sections titled: Shadowen's Shoal, White Cliff Ripple, End of Smith's Shoals, and Long Shoal. It is decorated with an elaborate compass point and terrific lettering in the title, which matches the fancy lettering used on steamboats. The second map shows a similar geography, but includes many tributaries, and was taken from the Rheas - Coyle Map of Tennessee. In addition to the 2 folding maps, there are 13 other smaller maps that provide a more detailed and contiguous study of the river survey. Octavo, hardbound in brown cloth over marbled boards.

References: Claussen & Friis #43-70.

Condition: A

The maps and plates are clean, bright, and in unusually fine condition. The large folding map has a bit of faint offsetting, otherwise fine. Text is also near fine. Modern covers have light wear with bumped edges and remnants of an old spine label.