"Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan", written by John Lloyd Stephens, with illustrations by British architect and artist Frederick Catherwood, tells the story of uncovering many of the Mayan ruins in the early 1840's (Cobán/Palenque and some 50 others) Lacking knowledge of the area, President Martin Van Buren dispatched Stevens on the 7 or 8 month information gathering trip. Catherwood, a British architect, is noted for the artwork contained in the two volume work mentioned at heading.
About twenty years ago I was fortunate to see the Catherwood Maya etchings at a NYC museum. Astoundingly beautiful art work. On the other hand I knew a woman who had the first edition "Incidents" valued at several thousand dollars 35-40 years ago. I have read the unabridged republication of the 1841 release. This edition is currently in print.can still be found in bookstores.
John Lloyd Stephens was a successful NY lawyer having enrolled in Columbia University at age 13,
followed by law school and a legal career. The link to his fascinating life is found below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lloyd_Stephens
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