Compilation of Narratives of Explorations in Alaska.

Washington, Government Printing Office 1900. First edition, large quarto, 56th Congress, 1 session, report 1023. Half-calf over marbled paper covered boards. 51 reports and subreports of explorations made by U.S. army between 1869 and 1899 – possibly the most comprehensive documentation on these first three decades after the purchase of Alaska by the U.S. Numerous maps, photographic plates and text-illustrations. As stated in the preface: “The reports of these explorations and reconnaissances of military explorers in Alaska are here for the first time presented in connected narrative form.” Not a very common item in almost pristine condition! Collation: 1 nn leaf, title-page (crossed-out stamp of former owner Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., April 18 1901 – verso: Joint University Libraries, Nashville, Tenn.), table of contents pp i-vii (list of all the different reports), preface (1 page), introduction pp 5-16, text pp 21-825, index pp 827-851, index of indian tribes pp 853-856. Many very large folding-maps, numerous photographs of unique documentary value, lithograph-plates, text illustrations. This wealth of historic illustrative material, above all the original photographic plates, make this book a treasure-box for the documentation of early Alaskan scenery, native groups, natural habitats! An ideal sourcebook for sub-polar ethnography, topography, as well as geography.