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Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
(GEOLOGY.) Reeves, Frank. Small archive of geologist Frank Reeves' field research on the oil resources of Iran, Iraq and Israel. Approximately 100 typewritten pages accompanied by 15 folding geological maps of Iran and other photo-static maps. with: a copy of Reeves' self published, cloth bound memoir. Vp, 1937-1958
Frank Reeves (1886-1986) was a noted geologist who in his 100 years traveled much of the world surveying and mapping its subterranean parts. In 1937-1938 he was employed by the Amiranian Oil Company to explore the possibilities of oil in the region of northern Iran and Afghanistan along the Russian border. The present papers represent his detailed reporting of the areas in question, the geology, the topography, the oil possibilities and the accessibility. Much of what he discovered in his time there was not promising for the company: "In view of all these unfavorable features I do not hesitate to report that the geology of the area possesses no features that would encourage the most optimistic to believe that oil could be found in it."
A later prospectus from the 1950's corresponding to the 15 folding maps is written by Reeves correcting his original assessments during his first reconnaissance: "Because of recent developments in Iran and other parts of the world, I have recognized that my earlier appraisals should be revised. After a thorough review of my field notes, I have concluded that two major areas that I formerly regarded as having only fair prospects should be enlarged and classified as promising oil territory." His explanations as to why are elegant and thorough. A further oil prospectus for Israel and Jordan prepared for the Department of the Interior in 1951 is included here, stamped "restricted."
