Books and Manuscripts: A Spring Miscellany

Books and Manuscripts: A Spring Miscellany

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 9. BURROUGHS, JOHN, AND JOHN MUIR, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL, EDWARD CURTIS, LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, ET AL | Harriman Alaska Expedition. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1901-02 (Vols. I & II) ⁠— Harriman Alaska Expedition. Washington [D.C.]: Published by the Smithsonian Institution, 1910-1914 (Vols. III-XIV).

Property from the Sporting and Travel Library of Arnold "Jake" Johnson

BURROUGHS, JOHN, AND JOHN MUIR, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL, EDWARD CURTIS, LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, ET AL | Harriman Alaska Expedition. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1901-02 (Vols. I & II) ⁠— Harriman Alaska Expedition. Washington [D.C.]: Published by the Smithsonian Institution, 1910-1914 (Vols. III-XIV)

Lot Closed

May 27, 04:09 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 4,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Property from the Sporting and Travel Library of Arnold "Jake" Johnson

BURROUGHS, JOHN, AND JOHN MUIR, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL, EDWARD CURTIS, LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, ET AL 

Harriman Alaska Expedition. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1901-02 (Vols. I & II) ⁠— Harriman Alaska Expedition. Washington [D.C.]: Published by the Smithsonian Institution, 1910-1914 (Vols. III-XIV)


12 volumes (of 13 - lacking volume 12), 8vo (10 1/8 x 6 7/8 in.; 255 x 175 mm). 10 volumes with Smithsonian title-pages, each volume profusely illustrated with numerous plates and in-text illustrations; some toning and foxing infrequently affecting plates, occasional offsetting. Vols. I & II uniformly bound, later half green morocco over green cloth covered boards, spines with raised bands in six compartments, top edges gilt. Vols. III, IV, XIII, & XIV (parts 1 and 2) uniformly bound, full green cloth covered boards, upper boards ruled in blind with circular Smithsonian device in gilt, top edges gilt; extremities rubbed, one or two corners bumped. Vols. V, VIII, IX, X & XI uniformly bound, full green cloth covered boards, upper boards with gilt rules and central sea lion device in gilt, top edges gilt; extremities rubbed, one or two corners bumped, some dampstaining to VIII.   


A nearly complete set of Edward Harriman's expedition to Alaska, with photogravures after Edward Curtis and heliotypes by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Harriman, an American railroad executive, followed his doctor's orders to take a vacation, and planned a two-month journey from Seattle to Siberia and back. Harriman brought with him scientists, conservationists, and artists selected by Clinton Hart Merriam, who was at that time head of Ornithology and Mammalogy at the USDA, and who would become one of the founders of the National geographical Society. Harriman had the steamship SS George W. Elder refitted for the expedition. John Muir, Edward Curtis, and others travelled with Harriman aboard the SS George W. Elder, a steamship with a library containing over 500 volumes on Alaska, a stable for animals, taxidermy studios, and luxury rooms for the team.


Volumes VI and VII were never printed, and complete sets are infrequently offered at auction.  


Group lots not subject to return. 


PROVENANCE:

California State Polytechnic College Library (library stamps and labels to both volumes of XIV)