[HARRIMAN ALASKA EXPEDITION]. BURROUGHS, John (1837-1921), MUIR, John (1838-1914), GRINNELL, George Bird (1849-1938), CURTIS, Edward S. (1868-1952), photographer, FUERTES, Louis Agassiz (1874-1927), artist, et al. Harriman Alaska Expedition. Edited by C. Hart Merriman. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institute, 1902-05.
9 volumes (of 13), royal 8vo. (Lacking vols. 10 and 12; vols. 6 and 7 were never published; vol. 13 was published at a later date). Profusely illustrated with plates, photogravures including 45 by Edward Curtis, maps, illustrations in the text, etc. Original gilt-decorated green cloth, leather lettering-pieces gilt on 6 volumes (vols. 1-2 spines darkened, leather lettering-pieces chipped on vols. 3-5). Provenance: Carnie Free Library donated by the Smithsonian Library (bookplates, stamps, etc).
FIRST EDITION of a near complete set of railroad magnate Edward Harriman’s expedition to Alaska that helped launch the careers of Edward S. Curtis and several others contributing scientists and artists. Harriman, following advice from his doctor to take a vacation, planned a trip to Alaska to hunt Kodiak bears; he brought with him a team of prominent scientists, conservationists, and artists selected by Clinton Hart Merriam, head of Ornithology and Mammalogy at the USDA. These included Sierra Club founder John Muir, renowned photographer Edward Curtis, and ornithological artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes. This monumental illustrated publication is the product of their work. Originally published by Doubleday in 1910, responsibility for the series was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution; this set has the Smithsonian title pages bound in before the originals up to that date. Arctic Bib. 6676; Ricks, p. 116; Tourville 1950; Wickersham 9203 (incorrect number of volumes).