San Francisco: Towne and Bacon, 1860. First Edition. Illustrated with 12 plates after sketches by noted San Francisco artist Charles Nahl. Leather. Duodecimo. [v]-vi, [1], [9]-378 pages.

One of the great California frontier narratives in its beautiful first edition, chronicling the exploits of the legendary "Grizzly Adams" in the Sierra Nevadas. Hittell's vivid biography was based on personal interviews with Adams and blends firsthand reportage, vivid natural history, and tall-tale bravado. This book merited and received widespread popularity when published, cementing Adams in the lore of the early West. It remains a high spot of Gold Rush–era adventure literature and an essential volume for Western Americana and California collections.

Ref. ZAMORANO 42; HOWES H543; SABIN 32275; WAGNER-CAMP 348; GRAFF 1912; COWAN p.284.

Bound in later full leather over boards with tooled borders to both boards, four raised bands on spine, gilt spine titling, marbled endpapers. Prior owner or possibly binder's stamp at top fore corner of recto of front free endpaper. Prior owner name dated Dec. 25th, 1882 penned on preliminary blank leaf. Minor exterior rubs, a small dark stain to upper joint near head of spine, and a few leaves protruding 1/16" or so from textblock. Most of the 12 plates retain their tissue guards. There are a few leaves with closed fore edge tears, minor chips, or shallow fore edge wrinkles. Binding remains sound. A lovely copy overall in a very handsome binding.

Item #2018

Price: $375