[Joaquin Miller]. C. H. Miller. Specimens. [A Tale of the Rogue River War]. [Portland: Printed by George Himes, 1868]. First edition of Miller's first book and one of the rarest of all books to emanate from the West (only about ten copies exist). Approximately 5.75 x 4 inches. 54 pages. Contemporary half red morocco over blue cloth boards, spine ruled in gilt. Some wear to binding, some mild soiling and wrinkling in text. Still, a fine copy of this very rare item. With a cabinet photo of Miller (approximately 4 x 2.5 inches) laid in. Chemised in blue morocco slipcase.

"With the exception of a few copies that had been distributed, the whole edition was destroyed by a fire in a bookseller's establishment" (Oregon Imprints Inventory, 453). When added to the fact that Miller himself destroyed any copy that he could find later in his life, one can see how rare this book truly is. Miller wrote it at Canyon City, Oregon and George H. Himes printed it in Portland, making it one of the first books printed in Oregon. BAL 13746.