Description
Gannett, Henry. A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States (Second Edition). (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1891) Bulletin of the United States Geological Society No. 76
Octavo. 393 pages. Hardcover. Bound in half leather over marbled paper with marbled end papers. All edges marbled. Printed on typical GPO paper used on their paperback publications of the period. Likely started out life in wraps.
Condition: VG. Edgewear and scuffing to leather. Gift inscription and previous owner’s signature on first blank page. Writing in pencil on half title.
Henry Gannett (August 24, 1846 – November 5, 1914) was an American geographer who is described as the “Father of the Quadrangle” which is the basis for topographical maps in the United States.
Known as the Father of Government Mapmaking, In 1884 he published his first Dictionary of Altitudes which listed all known survey altitudes in the United States as well as the source of the survey. He was to persuade various organizations doing the surveys including the railroads to begin using similar datums so the data could interconnect.
