[Mission scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amérique Centrale.] Description des anciennes possessions mexicaines du Nord.

[Paris, Ministre de l'Instruction Publique (Imprimerie Nationale)], 1871. Large 4to (36.9 x 28.1 cm). 216 pp.; 29 text engravings, one coloured engraved map "Carte de la Haute Californie et de la Nevada" (not numbered), one lithographed plate of indigenous people ("p. 15"), 18 lithographed plates and maps, all but two double-sized or larger [numbered I-XVII, one not numbered], for a total of 20 plates and maps [Complete]. All leaves loose, as issued. Original printed wrappers. = Written by the French geologist and mineralogist Edmond Guillemin-Tarayre (1832-1920). The work was never completed and stopped mid-sentence on page 216, and neither a title page nor an index was ever published - apparently at some point the French lost interest in foreign mining regions. The published part, however, is of great interest as it contains important observations and detailed plates and maps of Nevada and California. The 18th map, Carte metallurgique, in full colour, is not numbered, and is printed on one large sheet facing the Carte geologique, which is numbered XVI. This for a total of 20 plates and maps on 19 sheets. Uncut. Wrappers chipped at edges, no spine cover. Some light, scattered, marginal spotting, two leaves heavily soiled and a bit chipped at the lower edge, otherwise a very good copy with all the plates spotless, beautiful. Nissen ZBI, 4694. Not in Sabin.