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Des Moines, royal octavo (10.5 by 7.5 inches), 2 volumes [viii, 391 p.; viii, 443 p.], 15 plates (including 13 lithographed pencil sketches of scenery and 2 colored maps), 10 sections, small maps and charts, and 100 text figures. ***CONTENT: Charles Abiathar White (1826-1910) was a celebrated American geologist and paleontologist, whose publications total 238 titles. He was the State Geologist of Iowa from 1866-70, and this is one of his most significant works, with particular focus on the western half of the State. Early chapters in volume one describe the physical geography, surface geology, soils and climate; next follow extended descriptions of the paleontology, stratigraphy, lithology and occurrence of Silurian through Cretaceous strata, with emphasis on Carboniferous rocks. This volume concludes with the geology of the southwestern region of the State, county by county. Volume two describes the geology of western, northwestern and northern regions of the State, with extended discussion of the coal-producing counties. The latter part of this volume considers economic resources: peat, petroleum, sulfate minerals, building materials, metals, springs and artesian water resources, rock and mineral chemistry, and more. ***CONDITION: This is a complete, Fine set in the original pebbled forest-green cloth with gilt lettering on the backstrips. The covers are very well preserved, with scant signs of use. Spine lettering bright. Joints and hinges solid, bindings firm. The text pages and illustrations are pristine: fresh, clean and bright. Volume one contains a most unusual colored overlay geological map, with six cut-out overlays. The hand-colored geological map of the State at the end of volume two unfolds to 17 by 21 inches and is striking and like new, save for an old small tape repair to one corner (not affecting the map itself). ***PROVENANCE: The front endpapers of both volumes bear a penned inscription from the author: "Bowdoin College. Presented by C.A. White, Sept. 1873." Bowdoin bookplates are on the front pastedowns and library blind stamps are on a few text pages. White was Professor of Natural History at Bowdoin from 1873-75. This is an exceptionally handsome presentation set of an important treatise. Merrill, p. 433-436. Prime 14. BMNH 909. International shipping will be extra, but only at my cost. Seller Inventory # OG5422
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