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Author: Forbes, Alexander
Title: California: A History of Upper and Lower California from their First Discovery to the Present Time, Comprising an Account of the Climate, Soil, Natural Productions, Agriculture, Commerce, &c...
Place Published: London
Publisher:Smith, Elder and Co.
Date Published: 1839
Description:

xvi, 352 pp. Errata slip present at p.339, ad pages not retained when rebound. Illustrated with 10 lithographed plates including the frontispiece; folding map with some hand-coloring in outline bound in at rear. (8vo) 21x13.5 cm. (8¼x5¼"), old red half morocco and cloth, rebacked. First Edition.

The first book printed in English to relate exclusively to California. The Zamorano 80 notes that, in addition, it "is remarkable for the fact that the author did not see California until long after its publication. The book was written from descriptions furnished by his agents in California... The author of the book was a partner of Barron, Forbes &; Company of Tepic, Mexico, owners of the New Almaden mine in California. The publication of the book was supervised by the author 's brother, John, in London. Forbes ' California has always been considered reliable and accurate." The map, which shows California north &; south, Mexico, etc. (including of course Texas, Florida, &; most of Western U.S.) and has insets of Bodega Bay, San Francisco Harbour, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Barbara &; San Gabriel, was specifically made for this book. Cowan p.217; Graff 1377; Howes F242; Zamorano Eighty 38.

Cloth faded, light wear; plates lightly foxed; very good.