Spurr, Josiah E. & Samuel F. Emmons; Geology of the Aspen Mining District, Colorado. USGS Monograph XXXI, text and atlas. Washington, DC, GPO, 1898. Quarto text, pp. x, 260, 43 plates and 11 figures. Elephant folio atlas with 30 plates including the title sheet, legend sheet, index sheet and 27 maps and profiles (colored) two being double page.
The set is complete and in the matching green pebbled cloth with gilt titles. The bindings are tight and clean with minor corner bumping and minor scuffing to edges. There is a reference library book plate on the lower margin of the text volume and small penned number on the text title page. The atlas is free of any markings. The text, plates and all atlas sheets are pristine and free of any markings or tears. A very good matched binding set with text and plates in fine condition.
An American mineralogist and geologist, Josiah Edward Spurr (1870-1950) was appointed to the United States Geological Survey in 1894. During the later part of the 19th century, the Aspen mining district had become one of the major silver producing regions in the world. A detailed geological survey of the district and surrounding region was called for and Spurr was to lead this survey. Emmons wrote the introduction and Spurr completed much of the report. The volume is profusely illustrated and the accompanying atlas contains sheets detailing the general geology and topography of the district with eight sheets giving the detailed geology of certain areas as well as profiles which attempt to show the complex faulting. Spurr’s work remains one of the major contributions to the geology of this now famous ski resort.
