L. W. Currey, Inc.

Cummings, Charles H. TRAVELS IN EUROPE AND AMERICA ... 1883-1894 [binder's title]. DIARY AND ITINERARY OF CHAS. H. CUMMINGS AND PARTY ... [section titles]. N.p. [Privately printed by the author], n.d. [1894]. 25.5x20.3 cm (small quarto), six parts: 49; 33; 14; 32; [23]; [1] 26 leaves, printed on rectos only, each part has a section title printed on blue paper, contemporary moire cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, marbled endpapers. First edition. Charles H. Cummings (1842-1920), a New Englander who made his fortune in railroads, coal, and streetcars, was born at Plymouth, New Hampshire. He began his railroad career as a brakeman for the Fitchburg Railroad when he was eighteen years old and ended it as president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. From 1888 to 1900 Cummings was a partner at J. A. Bradford Co., Boston, Massachusetts. He retired in 1900. Cummings traveled extensively, mostly in Europe, and this privately printed book records seven of his trips in North America and abroad. Each of the seven itineraries and diaries of trips in Europe and the American West between 1883-1894 collected here has its own title leaf and pagination (with the exception of the two western trips which are combined). In 1887 and 1890 Cummings made trips to the American West in private railcars. These accounts are: "Special Trip to Colorado and California, in the Wagner Private Car 'Wanderer.' 1887" and "Special Trip to Colorado, California, and Alaska, in the Wagner Private Car 'Mariquita.' 1890." The 46-day 1887 western trip to California included a six-day trip to Yosemite Valley, 31 May to 5 June, by stage from Raymond by way of Wawona. The description of this western trip is focused on the return trip "as the route, New York to San Francisco, was practically the same on both 1887 and 1890 trips, and that portion of the trips is covered in the 1890 description." His 117-day second trip west in 1890 included Colorado, California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Yellowstone, Canada, the White Mountains and upstate New York. The sojourn in California included a nine-day trip to Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees (22-30 June) by way of Raymond and Wawona. Additionally, there are extended descriptions San Francisco’s Chinatown, Alaska, and Yellowstone. Smith 2147. Not in Wickersham. Mild spots to cloth, inner hinges professionally repaired, a very good copy. Enclosed in a custom blue cloth clamshell box with green leather spine label. OCLC reports two copies: Brigham Young University, and Yale University. (#167146).

Price: $1,750.00