The Prairie Traveler. A Hand-Book for Overland Expeditions With Maps, Iluustrations, and Itineraries of the Principal Routes Between the Mississippi and the Pacific

Small 8vo, original publishers blindstamped cloth, folding map, illustrations, 340 pp. Bookplate on front pastedown, minor wear to binding, top hinge slightly weak, but still firm, normal aging, slight tear in left margin of folding map, extending slightly into image, but map is in very good shape overall; otherwise very good plus. Randolph Barnes Marcy (1812-1887) was a West Point graduate and a career army officer. The Prairie Traveler was written at the direction of the Department of State, and has been called one of the most important books promoting western migration. Marcy's work became the guide for thousands of Americans in their overland trek to California, Oregon and Utah. The book was actually a best seller for much of the second part of the 19th century. In addition to providing direction for the migration west, Marcy also wanted to help people avoid disasters, and travel in a comfortable way. Howes M279