Swallow, George Clinton; Geological report of the country along the line of the south-western branch of the Pacific Railroad, State of Missouri. 1859

Swallow, George Clinton; Geological report of the country along the line of the south-western branch of the Pacific Railroad, State of Missouri. To which is prefixed a memoir of the Pacific Railroad. George Knapp and Co, 1859. St. Louis. Octavo, pp. xvii, 1, 93, 1,  2 plates of scenery and large, folding, hand-colored geologic map (9” x 36”).

The work is complete and in the original ornately stamped brown boards with a recently repacked spine. The titles are stamped on the front board. The binding is tight and clean, text is clean, with light off setting of plates to adjacent page, the map is clean and bright. Owner’s signature  on title page. In very good condition.

Swallow (1817-1899) was an American geologist and chemist, educated at Bowdoin College in Maine. He became the Missouri State Geologist in 1853 and held the position until 1861. During this time he introduced James Hall’s “New York” system of stratigraphy to the state. The above railroad report, mandated by State law, describes the topography, geology, soil characteristics, agriculture, timber, minerals and mines of the country crossed by the Pacific railroad line, which traversed the State southwesterly from St. Louis via Rolla, Springfield and Neosho to the border of Kansas and Oklahoma Territories. The focus of Swallow’s report is on the mineral resources (iron, lead and copper), with a listing and description of more than 216 lead mines, lodes and prospects. The geologic map is in six hand colors and unfolds to 9 by 36 inches and illustrates cultural features, mines, etc.