The Arkansas Waterway by Ruth B. Mapes (First Edition), 1972 🛶🇺🇸🗺️

1. Introduction 📜🔍

This is a first edition of The Arkansas Waterway, a significant work of regional history by Ruth B. Mapes.

Published in 1972, this book is a primary historical document that chronicles the development of the Arkansas River Navigation System. As a detailed, contemporary account of a major engineering project, this volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of civil engineering history, Americana, or regional non-fiction.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Arkansas Waterway is a comprehensive and well-researched history of the McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The book provides a detailed narrative of the political, economic, and engineering challenges that went into transforming the Arkansas River into a navigable waterway. It is an invaluable resource for understanding the scale of this massive public works project, which was instrumental in opening up the American South to commercial navigation. This first edition is a testament to the foresight and vision of the engineers and politicians who made the project a reality.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Ruth B. Mapes was a prominent historian and writer specializing in the history of the Arkansas River. Her meticulous research and dedication to documenting the history of the waterway make this book an authoritative work on the subject. While not as widely known as other writers, her work on the Arkansas River Navigation System is considered a key text for scholars and historians. Her ability to synthesize complex engineering and political details into an accessible narrative is a testament to her skill as a writer and researcher.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1972, this book is a "time capsule" of the year the McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System was completed and officially dedicated. It marks the culmination of a project that spanned over a decade and was a landmark achievement of American civil engineering. The book reflects the optimism of the early 1970s and a belief in the power of large-scale public works projects to drive economic development. It is a valuable historical document of a time when the federal government invested heavily in infrastructure and regional development.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of civil engineering history, a scholar of Americana, or a private collector of regional non-fiction. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its status as a document of a major public works project. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of American history, engineering, and politics.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a first edition of a specialized work of regional history, this book is an uncommon collectible. Its value is derived from its status as a key text on a specific subject, not as a widely-read literary work. The scarcity of a well-preserved copy of a regional book like this, which often had a smaller print run, makes it a desirable item for a niche collector. The price reflects its authenticity, its good condition, and its importance as a piece of American historical scholarship.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is in good vintage condition. The hardcover is in a solid state, with some minor shelf wear. The binding is sound, and the pages are clean. There is no dust jacket, but this is a common occurrence for books of this period. The overall condition is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for volume.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions or unique markings. The value is derived from its well-preserved state as a first edition of a key historical work.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which this book chronicles, is the largest civil works project ever undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• The system officially opened for navigation in 1971, and its completion led to the creation of thousands of jobs and a major economic boom in the region.

• The book was published by the American Public Works Association, a professional organization that promotes the development and maintenance of public infrastructure.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Arkansas Waterway

• Author/Maker: Ruth B. Mapes

• Year: 1972

• Publisher/Foundry: American Public Works Association

• Place of Origin: Chicago, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Uncommon