Alaska. 1899. Copper River Exploring Expedition

CAPTAIN W. R. ABERCROMBIE

Publication: Government Printing Office, 1900, Washington

First edition. 8vo. Senate, 56th Congress, 1st Session, Document No. 306. Quarter red leather and marbled boards, titles stamped in gilt on the spine, marbled front and rear endpapers, 169 [1] pp.,plus 168 pages of photographic plates, one large folding map tipped in at the rear of the volume, all edges are marbled. This informative and lavishly illustrated account of the expedition led by Abercrombie, in order to establish an all-American route from Valdez, Alaska on Prince William Sound, and opening up a military road to Copper Centre by the most direct route to Eagle City, and the gold fields of northern Alaska. It was the first direct land route into the Alaska interior, and included 13 detailed subreports which revealed the brutal hardships suffered by “Stampeders” attempting to traverse the terrain, and Abercrombie actually concluded many of the miners were mentally deranged, and later established a hospital in Valdez. Covers rubbed, internally clean and tight, else a very good, bright and tight copy.

Inventory Number: 51824