Finely engraved antique print of North American Mice

by Richard, John H.

Mice engraving by Richard for USPRR Surveys.

Fine steel engraving by P. Metzeroth (sc.= sculpted/engraved), after the drawing by John H. Richard, recording discoveries of wildlife during the United States Pacific RailRoads Expeditions and Surveys. Published in New York c1857 - with fine later hand-colour. These Mice were sighted during surveys of 35th Parallel (between California and Oklahoma) and the 47th Parallel.

In 1853 the U.S. Congress commissioned the Army's Topographical Bureau to conduct a series of surveys to find a suitable route for a transcontinental railroad between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean. There were six major expeditions: five of the land between the Great Plains and west coast, and the sixth explored the coastal states of California and Oregon. All of the expeditions were accompanied by naturalists and artists to document the landscape, flora and fauna along the route.

To the border line measures 235 x 180mm (9 1/4 x 7 1/8 inches). Page size is 287 x 210mm (11 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches). There is slight soiling around the edge