Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82

Powell, John Wesley (1834-1902) editor

Published by Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1884

About this Item

lxxiv+606 pages with 44 plates, 202 figures and index. Quarto (11 1/2" x 8 1/4") bound in original publisher's olive green cloth with gilt lettering to spine and pictorial to cover. Papers by Cyrus Thomas, Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts pages 3-65, plates I-IV and figures 1-10; W H Dall, On Masks, labrets and certain aboriginal customs pages 67-202 and plates V-XXIX; J Owen Dorsey, Omaha sociology pages 205-370, plates XXX-XXXIII and figures 12-42; Washington Matthews, Navajo Weavers pages 371-391, plates XXXIV-XXXVIII and figures 42-59; Wiilliam H Holmes, Prehistoric Textile fabrics made during the field season 1881 pages 393-425, plate XXXIX and figures 60-115; William H Holmes, Illustrated catalogue of a portion of the collections made by the Bureau of Ethnology during the field season of 1881 pages 427-510 and figures 116-200; James Stevenson, Illustrated catalogue of the collection from New Mexico and Arizona 1881 pages 511-594 and plates XL-XLIV. Edited by J W Powell. (List of Publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology pg 2) 1st edition. Although classified by most conventional texts, John Wesley Powell always maintained that he was not an adventure or an explorer. He considered himself a scientist, motivated by a desire for knowledge and to further the progress of human kind. However, Powell did live a busy and active life as a military leader, the first navigator of the Colorado River, and director of the United States Geological Survey. His accounts from navigating the Colorado River earned him early fame. Due to his compassion toward Native Americans he was elevated to director of the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of Ethnology in which he continued until his death. His work on the Irrigation Survey for the western United States, although never fully realized, lead to the establishment of river gaging stations and preliminary work toward storage and utilization of river water for irrigation and prevention of floods and overflows. Condition: Corners and spine ends rubbed, corners bumped, front inner hinge beginning. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # BOOKS004142

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82
• Publisher: Government Printing Office, Washington DC
• Publication Date: 1884
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Anthropology