Alexander Forbes (1778-1862) – Scottish merchant, explorer and author
Full 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.”
London: Smith, Elder and Co. Cornhill, 1839
10 lithograph illustrations including frontispiece portrait of Father Antonio Peyri and large folding engraved map – the map shows Upper and Lower California, Mexico and Guatemala as they were in 1839, and includes inset maps of the harbors of Bodega, San Francisco, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Pedro
First edition of the book in English devoted exclusively to California
Red morocco and cloth with gilt, spine in six compartments with gilt decoration and text, top edges gilt, deckled edges
Octavo; 225 mm x 148 mm
Cowan II p 217; Graff 1377; Hill p 107; Howes F-242
Offered with J.D. Borthwick’s, “Three Years in California,” with eight tinted illustrations by the author, Einburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1857, in modern calf with gilt, all edges gilt, minor cracks, internally very clean and fresh [Sabin 6436; Howes B622; Abbey, Travel 660]

“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.,” written by Alexander Forbes, is considered the first full account of California in English. The work contains detailed descriptions of California’s agriculture and landscape. This rare first edition was published by Smith, Elder and Co. Cornhill in London in 1839. Accompanying the first edition is J.D. Borthwick’s, “Three Years in California,” which contains detailed descriptions of mining techniques and the daily lives of California gold miners in the early 1850s. It remains a classic first-person account of the American gold rush.

“California: A History…” has bubbling and soiling to the cover, minor scuffs and losses to the gilt, and cracking to the hinges. It is overall sound and internally fresh and clean. There is a tear in the engraved map along one of the folds. “Three Years in California,” has minor cracks but is internally very clean and fresh.

Alexander Forbes (1778-1862)

Alexander Forbes grew up in the Scotland and immigrated to Tepic, Mexico where he made his living as a merchant. During his time, California was still a province of Mexico. Forbes advocated that the United Kingdom take control of California. His book on California is often considered the first full English account of the territory.

John David Borthwick (Edinburgh, Scotland 1824 – 1892 London, England)

J.D. Borthwick was a prominent Scottish physician living in New York at the time of the California gold rush. Drawn to the excitement, Borthwick made his way to California, where he spent three years traveling through mining camps, recording observations. Borthwick’s detailed narratives were published into the successful work, “Three Years in California.” He continued to travel and write throughout his life, but it his text and drawings on California for which he is most acclaimed.