9261b. na.  UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES – REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR 1883. Washington: GPO. 1885, House of Representatives Miscellaneous Document No. 67, 48th Congress, 1st Session. First edition. 1206 pages, with 158 plates including many large folding plates, 2 color charts, many text illustrations and figures. Includes the general Report of the Commissioner (95 pages), which includes a long list of lighthouse keepers furnishing data to the Commission, then 5 appendixes. “Appendix A – General” includes two major reports on the construction and work of the U. S. Fish Commission Steamer “Albatross” (235 pages and 55 detailed plates of the “Albatross”, many large fold-out views, also a report titled “Explorations on the Columbia River From the Head of Clarke’s Fork to the Pacific Ocean Made in the Summer of 1883…..”. Appendix B – The Fisheries” includes reports on whale fisheries, herring fisheries, principal river fisheries of the United States, Iceland cod fisheries, and others. “Appendix C – Economic Research” includes two color plates, “Appendix D – Natural History and Biological Research” includes “Results of the Explorations Made by the Steamer “Albatross” off the Northern Coast of the United States in 1883″, with nearly 200 pages and 44 lovely plates . “Appendix E – Propagation of Food-Fishes” includes Reports of operations at the US Salmon and trout breeding establishments on the McCloud River, California during 1883. “Appendix F – Miscellaneous” includes an extremely rare report with 11 plates and five figures, titled “Suggestions to Keepers of the U. S. Life-saving Stations, Lighthouses, and Light-Ships….Relative to the Best Means of Collecting and Preserving Specimens of Whales and Porpoises” with eleven plates showing 32 types of whale and porpoise A massive volume, 8vo size (over 9″ by 7″ by 4″ thick), containing many  unique reports. Half leather and marbled boards with matching endpapers, contents very good indeed, all plates, folding plates, and illustrations. Good condition apart from front and rear board hinges loose, but easily repaired by a binder.

8479. U. S. Light-House Establishment. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING THE SCREW STEAMER ALBATROSS. 1881. GPO. 1881. 51p. Spiral bound photocopy. Includes complete information on all aspects of the vessel, its design and equipment on board from hull, engine, life rafts, crew’s quarters and berths. Also includes contract and bid bond, etc. as well as specifications for removal of the old boilers and alterations to the coal bunkers, deck-house, etc for use by the United States Fish Commission. Specifications detail all manner of construction and equipment of this beautiful vessel. Excellent for research, interesting reading. Apparently this vessel was for use by the U. S. Fish Commission under the jurisdiction of the Light-House Board.

Lot two Steamer Albatross items $124 net.