This is the original and rare SIGNED 1st edition (NOT a reprint) of the Army Corps of Engineers systemwide study of the Ohio and Mississippi River, including the Mississippi Delta in the Gulf of Mexico. The Humphreys and Abbot study, and the earlier study by Charles Ellet (Ellet, 1852), were headline news in the U.S. for decades and determined the country's strategy for flood control and river navigation up to the present. The Ellet-Humphreys rivalry is a central part of John Barry's history, Rising Tide. SIGNED by General A.A. Humprhreys, Chief of Engineers, US Army Corps of Engineers. (We also have a 1stedition copy of the Ellet volume – see separate listing. We would prefer to sell these as a set.)
This volume is entitled: "A Review of the Report upon the Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River: Upon the Protection of the Alluvial Region against Overflow; and Upon the Deepening of the Mouths; Based upon Surveys and Investigations made under Acts of Congress Prepared by Capt. A.A. Humphreys and Lt. H.L. Abbot." G.P.O., Washington, D.C., 1876. Brown boards with leather spine and corners. Original SIGNATURE of General Humphreys on front pages reads "A.A. Humphreys, Sept. 26, 1877" (see photos). 12" x 9" (4vo), 691 pp. followed by numerous fold-out plates, including maps, charts, cross sections, etc.
Rare and remarkable signed 1st edition of the seminal river study. Suitable for library collection, investment, or bespoke gift. Volume is full of data tables and charts and measurements and maps of the 19th century Mississippi River and Delta; never rigorously extracted and studied.
Overall condition of book is Good. Cover has moderate edge wear. Original SIGNATURE of General Humphreys reads "A.A.Humphreys, Sept. 26, 1877." Book is early ex libris, with small label on spine, pasted label of the Carnegie Free Library on interior of front cover, and small library marks on several pages. Binding is tight and solid. Interior pages bright and clean, although some edges are fragile. Fold-out maps and plates are all present, but many have worn and separated at exterior edges.
- About the author: "Andrew Atkinson Humphreys was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Joshua, was the "Father of the American Navy." Andrew … graduated from West Point on July 1, 1831… During 1850 he was directed to commence surveys and investigate the Mississippi River Delta in order to figure out what could prevent inundation and increase the depth of water on the bars. This work took up ten years of Humphreys' life… [During] the Civil War, Humphreys was promoted to major general of volunteers … He became a permanent brigadier general and Chief of Engineers in 1866… In retirement, he studied philosophy and was one of the incorporators of the National Academy of Sciences. Humphreys' published works were highlighted by the 1861 Report on the Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River, co-authored with Lt. Henry Abbott, which gave him considerable prominence in the scientific community." (from Wikipedia)
- "Humphreys had a strong personality, and he sparred with James Eads on engineering issues related to the Mississippi. His report also conflicted with the prior calculations made by Charles Ellet about the Mississippi, and he erroneously opposed Charles Ellet’s proposal for reservoirs to help control flooding. “Even today, his data are considered reliable and instructive. But [his competitiveness] did infect his reasoning and his recommendations…. he (erroneously) claimed that outlets (to relieve flooding) risked creating a new main channel for the river.” (John Barry, Rising Tide)
- Ellet and Humphreys & Abbot studies: "Congress … sponsored scientific surveys of the lower Mississippi undertaken by a U.S. Army engineer, A.A. Humphreys, and a civilian, Charles Ellet… Ellet filed first, in 1852. He suggested that human endeavors—upstream development and levees that climbed ever skyward—exacerbated the flood menace. Ellet offered a multi-tiered alternative: more levee improvements; building outlets or spillways to shunt floodwater from the river; and constructing massive reservoirs, artificial wetlands, to soak up excess rain before it ran off into the Mississippi... Humphreys hated Ellet for threatening the standing of military engineers." (from Kelman, 2007)
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Who are we: This is another listings from "Nana's Top Shelf," a collection of first editions and other fine volumes collected over a lifetime from estate sales and booksellers across the East Coast and Europe. The collection specializes in late 19th and early 20th century illustrated children's books, fairy tales and folklore. We list book with Ebay (lower fees) and with an international bibliophile website.