Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains - photo 1

Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains

Lot 196
26.05.2022 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 17 640
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 753111
Lot 196 | Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains
Estimate value
$ 2 000 – 3 000
Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky MountainsJohn C. Frémont, 1845FREMONT, John C. (1813-1890). Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and North California in the Years 1843-44. Washington, D.C.: Blair and Rives, 1845.From the library of the expedition artist, Edward Kern: an important association copy of Frémont's seminal report. This copy is signed and dated by Kern on the front free endpaper. Much of the mapping of Frémont's route was new, including that of the entire Sierra Nevada range, all California rivers south of the American River and the three Colorado rivers. "His exploration of the overland trails to Oregon and California was of great interest to an expanding nation and Frémont (along with his wife, Jessie Benton Frémont) produced a volume as notable for its high-flown style as its excellent content. It was the perfect combination of the era ... more widely read than any other account of the West at the time ... [It] had a seminal effect on the routes frequented in the great period of emigration" (Best of the West). Frémont hired Edward Meyer Kern (1823-1863) to accompany him as topographical illustrator on this expedition from St. Louis to California, beginning a prolific career as a western explorer and artist. Kern gave the American public some of its ealiest authentic graphic images of the landscape and peoples of the Southwest and California. His career was cut short by poor health (he had epilepsy) and he died at the age of forty. Kern River is named for him. The illustration above is Kern's depiction of the explorers somewhere near present-day Carson Pass in the Sierra Nevada. They are preparing a meal in the melted snow, perhaps the "extraordinary dinner—pea-soup, mule, and dog" described opposite the plate on p. 234. Best of the West 86; Graff 1436; Howes F-370; Sabin 25845; Streeter sale 3131; Wagner-Camp 115:2; Wheat Gold Regions 3266; Wheat Transmississippi West 495; Zamorano 80, no. 39.Octavo (228 x 147 mm). 22 lithographed plates, four of which are duotone, 4 maps in text, two of which are folding, plus the one very large folding map, "Map of ... Oregon and North California in the Years 1843-44," loose in back cover pocket (some spotting/foxing, large map toned and with a closed tear repaired on verso). Modern quarter morocco. Provenance: Edward M. Kern, the artist who accompanied this expedition (ownership signature on the front free endpaper "Edw M Kern," dated Washington July / 1848." – New York State Soldier's Free Library (inkstamps to two smaller folding maps).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
26.05.2022 – 26.05.2022
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.