2025 Gift Guide: Gifts for Adventurers & Explorers
For the adventurer drawn to tales of discovery, this 1813 Baltimore edition of An Interesting Account of the Voyages and Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke offers a captivating glimpse into America’s early fascination with the unknown West. Produced to satisfy the public’s hunger for exploration narratives, it helped shape how a young nation imagined its frontier. Illustrated with portraits and dramatic scenes from the expedition, the volume captures both the spirit and myth of adventure. A remarkable gift for anyone inspired by the courage and curiosity that defined America’s greatest journey.
Little America by Richard E. Byrd, First Edition, 1930
Richard E. Byrd’s Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic captures one of the most daring feats of the early 20th century. This 1930 first edition chronicles Byrd’s groundbreaking flight over the South Pole and the establishment of his Antarctic base, marking the dawn of the “Mechanical Age” of exploration. Complete with maps and illustrations, it offers a vivid account of courage, innovation, and endurance at the planet’s frozen edge.
Report upon the Colorado River of the West by Joseph C. Ives, First Edition, Senate Issue, 1861
For the explorer fascinated by America’s untamed frontier, Joseph C. Ives’s Report upon the Colorado River of the West offers a landmark firsthand account of early exploration of the Grand Canyon and the surrounding region. Published in 1861, this richly illustrated volume combines adventure, science, and discovery, documenting geology, botany, and zoology alongside Ives’s daring expedition up the Colorado River. Once deemed an inhospitable wilderness, the landscapes Ives described would become icons of natural beauty.
Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide offers a detailed 19th-century roadmap across the American West. Edited by Charles S. Gleed, this 1883 guidebook provides firsthand insight into the states and territories from Missouri to California, including towns, industries, agriculture, and scenic highlights along the southern rail routes. Richly illustrated with engravings, it captures the landscapes, communities, and opportunities that defined westward travel during this transformative era. A compelling gift for anyone inspired by exploration, railroads, and the history of the American frontier.
1948 "A Hysterical Map of Yellowstone National Park" by Jolly Lindgren, Second Edition Printing
For the adventurer with a sense of humor, Jolly Lindgren’s "Hysterical Map of Yellowstone National Park" turns exploration into a playful journey. First published in 1936, this 1948 second edition blends accurate geographic details with clever cartoons, puns, and whimsical labels. Beyond its humor, the map provides practical information for visitors, from distances between landmarks to ranger station locations.
Arnold Hague’s 1904 "Atlas to Accompany Monograph XXXII on the Geology of Yellowstone National Park" offers an unparalleled exploration of one of America’s most iconic landscapes. Based on seven seasons of fieldwork by Hague and his U.S. Geological Survey team, the atlas charts Yellowstone’s topography, geysers, hot springs, and geological formations across more than 3,000 square miles. With 27 detailed maps, including both topographical and geological sheets, this atlas captures the park as it was studied in the late 19th century, making it a remarkable gift for scientists, geologists, and collectors alike.
Vintage E. A. Kutz Cased Sextant, 19th Century
For anyone fascinated by exploration, navigation, or the history of seafaring, this mid-19th century American nautical sextant by Erasmus A. Kutz offers a tangible connection to the golden age of maritime exploration. Used to calculate latitude by measuring the distance between celestial objects and the horizon, sextants like this one were essential tools for explorers navigating uncharted waters. Crafted with precision from wood, brass, and ivory, and accompanied by its original case, this instrument is a stunning example of the ingenuity of 19th-century nautical science.
This handcrafted Park Journal is the perfect companion to capture every journey, from bold outdoor excursions to quiet moments of reflection at home. The journal is made from full-grain leather, etched with a vintage pine design inspired by mid-century Mt. Hood National Forest travel brochures. Lined with a replaceable Moleskine notebook, it combines durability with timeless style, making it a thoughtful gift for artists, writers, and anyone who loves to document the natural world and their adventures in it.
