On the BLM website regarding the latest '2009 Manual of Surveying Instructions', it states that the first nationwide official manual was issued in 1855 and that the 2009 manual is the 9th manual issued.
The manuals that I am aware of are 1855, 1864, 1871, 1881, 1890, 1894, 1902, 1930, 1947, 1973 and 2009. Since the 1871 manual is a reprint of the 1864 manual you could discount that one. This would therefore make the 2009 manual the 10th one and not the 9th one.
In corresponding with Dave Ingram, he also has in his collection an 1838 manual, a 1908 manual, and a 1924 manual. The 1838 manual might be considered more to do with the sale and disposition of the public lands, but the 1908 and 1924 would be hard to overlook and perhaps most do not even know of their existence.
Any thoughts out there, especially from someone at the BLM?
Below is the text for the 1838, 1908 and 1924 manuals in Dave's collection:
United States Senate
Government Documents
General Public Acts of Congress, Respecting the Sale and Disposition of the Public Lands, with Instructions Issued, From Time to Time, by the Secretary of the Treasury and Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Official Opinions of the Attorney General on Questions Arising Under the Land Laws. In Two Parts. Vol. II-containing Part II.
1838
Washington, DC
Gales & Seaton
------------------------------
Hermann, Binger: Commissioner of the General Land Office
Surveying
Manual Of Surveying Instructions For The Survey Of The Public Lands Of The United States And Private Land Claims
1908
Government Printing Office
Washington
Pull-out plates in back
------------------------------
U.S. General Land Office, Department of the Interior
Surveying
Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States.
1924
Washington DC
United States Government Printing Office
> In corresponding with Dave Ingram, he also has in his collection an 1838 manual...
I've always been given to understand that the 1851 Oregon Manual was the first "manual". Prior to that there had been various pamphlets and letters of instruction, some of which were quite extensive but none of which rose to the dignity of a "manual". So the 1838 issue may be a bound book, but not a "manual".
I also understand that some of the subsequent manuals were nothing more than reprintings of the previous manuals, and therefore might not be considered separate.
Evidence and Procedures, 6th Edition, on page 292-293, lists manuals of 1855, 1881, 1890, 1894, 1902, & 1930. Add to that 1947, 1973, & 2009 to make up 9 manuals. This listing is in harmony with those included in the appendices of Al White's History of the Rectangular Survey System.
History includes an 1864 letter of instructions which was intended to amend the 1855 manual, but is not a new manual itself. It makes mention of the 1871 reprinting.
Never heard of the 1908 "Binger Edition," I wonder if it's a Reprint of the 1902?
The 1924 sounds to me like a copy of the Advance Sheets (first published in 1919):
The Advance Sheets (to the 1930 Manual) were the same "form factor" (4 inches x 6.75 inches) as the 1930 Manual. The "Advance Sheets" covered ONLY Chapters I - VI.
The 1973 Manual (Page 1) lists only the "1855 (reprinted as the Manual of 1871), 1881, 1890, 1894, 1902, 1930, and 1947.
Edit:
BTW, I don't think that the 1864 "Instructions" were ever considered a "Manual." The Instructions only contained about 9 pages, and are contained in Roy Minnick's "Collection of Original Instructions to the Surveyor of the Public Lands" published by Landmark Enterprises (see pages 449-459).
Loyal
OK - I located the manuals rather than Jerry relying on just my catalog, so .....
- Loyal has it right about being the "Advance Sheets" edition from 1924
- The 1908 is apparently the 1902 with some changes as the forward says that conflicts are abrogated but that it shall be known as the 1902 manual. How would you like to show up in court with the original 1902 and the other side pulls out the 1908?
1919 Advance Sheets
FYI:
A color .pdf of the 1919 Advance Sheets can be downloaded here:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/reference/manuals/1919_advance_sheets_ch_1_to_6.pdf
Loyal
I just picked up an interesting lot of books. Among them is a manual with a gpo date of 1884. I only have a few pics at the moment and am salivating in anticipation of arrival. It appears pristine but vintage in the photos.?ÿ
Details to come..
After an agonizing wait I was not disappointed. The book is in great shape for an 1884 priniting. No marks or tears and little cover wear. It is a compilation of surveying and disposal laws through December of 1880. That covers most original surveys and patents I deal with.
I may look for a reprint to save wear on this one. It is in the forever collection that will go to a descendent when I croak.?ÿ
I finally found a reasonably priced 1902 printing of the 1902 manual. Now I can forget about the pristine copy my ex needed. Not that I'm bitter or anything...
I am now in the market for the hard ones. I have no original 1855 and no first printing 1890 or 1894. Given the price of the last few I'm afraid to ask. Anyone looking to part with any of these three please message me.?ÿ
@thebionicman I posted the below letter from the GLO Commissioner, the Hon. Fred Dennett a little over 5 years ago. It describes his reason for reissuing the 1902 Manual in 1908. The date of the letter is July 1, 1909. The last sentence of his letter indicates that a new revision would be issued in 1910 to include tables for the new decade, but we all know that never happened.
I wish I could get a 1908 edition now for the price paid in 1909 of $0.75.
@gene-kooper For now I'm working toward rebuilding the basic library. Of course I won't pass any deals on odd ducks and trade bait.
I did get excited about an auction for an 1855, but alas it was found out by those with deeper pockets...
@thebionicman Any chance that you could give us a clue as to the final price of that 1855?
I have been looking for one for years (missed a chance about 5 years or so ago).
edit: also still looking for an 1890
Loyal?ÿ
@loyal I dropped out at 450 with three days to go. I can't get it to come back up to price check. I'll let you know if I see another. They don't come up often.?ÿ
@loyal I dropped out at 450 with three days to go. I can't get it to come back up to price check. I'll let you know if I see another. They don't come up often.?ÿ
Thanks man.