BARNARD, John Gross & John Jay WILLIAMS The Isthmus of Tehuantepec: being the results of a survey for a railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, made by the Scientific Commission under the direction of Major J.G. Barnard, U.S. Engineers. With a resumé of the geology, climate, local geography, productive industry, fauna and flora, of that region. Illustrated with numerous Maps and Engravings. Arranged and prepared for the Tehuantepec Railroad Company of New Orleans . . . New York D. Appleton & Company 1852
8vo. 295 pp. With 15 lithographed plates drawn by J. Müller & J.Mc.L. Murphy, 1 folding world map showing inter-oceanic routes & 1 folding diagram. Publishers' cloth (head & foot of spine repaired, new end papers).
First edition. The survey was of a pioneering project to link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by building a railway across the Tehuantepec isthmus. Because of his distinguished career as a military engineer, Major Barnard was selected in 1850 by the Tehuantepec Railroad Company of New Orleans as its chief engineer to make a preliminary survey of the terrain in southern Mexico. A contemporary commented of him, “His reputation among both civil and military engineers is acknowledged in Europe and America to be equal to that of any other living.” J.J. Williams was Principal Assistant Engineer to the surveying party. The work is enhanced by the lithographed plates showing scenes of the route followed. The accompanying atlas of maps is rarely found. Ownership stamp on p. 27. Occasional slight spotting on plates, tear repaired in folding map. Sabin 3480. Palau 24218 (calling for an atlas vol.).
£290
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