Cook, George H.; Geological Map of Northern New Jersey, Showing the Iron-ore and Limestone Districts. Trenton, 1874. Two folded colored sheets with a legend and Insets: Columnar section of geological formations in New Jersey --Section from Dingman's Ferry to Jersey City. Scale 2 miles to an inch, 77 x 102 cm.
The two map sheets are folded and in the original quarto size envelope with black titles on the envelope over. The envelope has been placed in an archival cover with marbled boards and cover title. The binding is tight and very clean, the maps have minor clear archival repairs to the verso of a couple of folds. The maps are clean and bright. This map is very rare. In very good condition.
George H. Cook (1818-1889) was an American geologist, born at Hanover, New Jersey and died in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York where he studied geology under Amos Eaton.After graduation he was employed in the Institute as tutor, then as adjunct professor, and finally as senior professor. He then taught at the Albany Academy from 1851 to 1853. In 1853 he returned to New Jersey where he was to chair of chemistry and natural sciences department at Rutgers College, in New Brunswick. He retained this chair until his death, 36 years later. It was during this later period that he made his major contributions to the geology of New Jersey.
In 1854, a State geological survey was organized with William Kitchell at its head and Cook as the assistant State geologist, In addition to his duties at Rutgers, Cook held the title until 1856, when the survey was suspended. In 1864 it was revived, and Cook was named State geologist. He held the office until his death. His work pursued the geological surveying and mapping of the strata, formations, ore deposits and fossils of the state. Of particular interest was a better understanding of recognized economic materials and especially an understanding of the iron and zinc ores and their relation to the structure of the surrounding rocks. This led to the publication of the: “Geological Map of Northern New Jersey, Showing the Iron-ore and Limestone Districts”.
