Travels In The Californias, And Scenes In The Pacific Ocean. [Pre U.S. territory, Gold Rush]

by Farnham, Thomas J

1st edition in book form.

Price: $350.00
Shipping rates & speeds | 30 Day Return Guarantee Ask bookseller a question | E-mail to a friend

N.Y., , 1844. 1st edition in book form. . 3/4 leather, orig. paper over bds. . Lacks free eps, blanks, frontis plate of Indian, folding map, and rear of book (pgs. 289-416). Bdg. much worn w/ some paper msg. from front cover, much more from rear, text w/ much old soiling ( some occas. blackening to lower margin), & old watersts., but readible throughout, in an acceptable fair only copy, ignoring the pages, map, & plate lacking. Extremely rare book, appar. the only other copy on-line which is a great complete copy is offered at $12,500. My copy perhaps supplemented by a modern reprint of Farnham's book containing the material missing is a compromise giving you most of this exceptioanlly impt. book in its orig. bdg. A first edition not available elsewhere. As is. . 8vo. . Exceptionally rare. Saxton & Miles, N.Y. Book is a sequel to Farnham's previous 1841 work, "Travels in the Great Western Prairies, etc." The first 50pp. of this book comprise author's sea travels aboard ship from Oregon to California via the Sandwich Islands. With many many details of life aboard ship, the ships' design & facilities, the members of the crew, seafaring occurrences, the nautical weather, health conditions of the crew (sea sickness), occas. reminiscences of his previous travels across the Rocky Mts., talk w/ certain members of the crew & their previous adventures, a sketch of exploration of the Pacific N.W. by Hudson's Co., Spanish explorers, etc., details of scenery along the upper Pacific coast, reference to Texas & Sam Houston, a belief by a crew member that California could eventually be conquered & would be a good place to to settle, plus some daily diary notes aboard ship, arrival in Hawaii, previous exploration by Vancouver & Cook, the Hawaiian chiefs, natives, scenery, etc. On pg. 52 Farnham arrives on land in California on April 18, 1842 and rest of book present deals with California. Farnham devotes about 70pp. (all present) to his stay in Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Blas discussing the Spanish troops, Mexican government, the Presidio, Missions, the Padres, Thomas Larkin, much comment on the Indians, other settlers, etc. The balance of his geogr., botanical, knowledge of California that follows these 50pp. seems to have been derived from other sources, principally from printed material by Hall, Kelley, Douglas & others. He discusses history of California during the Spanish & Mexican periods on pgs. 117-298. (complete in this copy to 288 only), followed by a chapter on Lower California and text to end (not present).

Bookseller Terms of Sale

Prices net to dealers. Occasionally extra shipping is required for heavy and valuable items. If so, you will be notified. Returnable if not as described.