SIX MONTHS IN CALIFORNIA. BY J. G. PLAYER-FROWD. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1872. 19.5x12 cm, pp. [1-2: blank] [3-8] [1] 2-164 + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "March 1873" inserted at rear, original decorated bevel-edged green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold and blind, rear panel stamped in blind, brown coated endpapers. First edition. The year of Player-Frowd's trip to California is not given, but it was after the opening of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. His book is intended to provide not only "a slight sketch of my experiences" but to serve "as a guide to the traveller" as well as "an inducement to those uncertain where to go, to enjoy the trip from ocean to ocean, and the wondrously beautiful country they will find at the extreme western end of the line." Player-Frowd describes his trip by train over the Sierra Nevada from Truckee to Sacramento and his side trip to Lake Tahoe (pages 3-10), his excursion to Yosemite Valley (pages 68-77) and his trip to the Calaveras Grove of Big Trees (pages 78-84). The book discusses California's climate and geology, as well as its agricultural and mining industries. The account of the gold and silver mining regions of California (the Mother Lode in the Sierra Nevada) and Nevada (mainly the Comstock Lode and the White Pine mines) comprises pages 85-129. According to Player-Frowd "one of my great inducements in visiting California was a pilgrimage to the [Yosemite] valley. The usual tour formerly was by way of the Big Trees, thence across the country to Coulterville. Now however, in consequence of the railroads to those places being partially finished, I was advised to go to the Yosemite and return, doing the Big Trees separately. I recommend all travellers to do the same and have as little to do with stages as possible." To visit Yosemite Valley Player-Frowd traveled from San Francisco to Stockton by steamboat, by train from Stockton to Modesto (then the end of track of the San Joaquin branch of the Central Pacific), by stage from Modesto to Coulterville, and by horseback from Coulterville to the valley. After a general description of the principal scenic features of the valley he concludes that "those who are weary of European travel will be amply repaid by visiting California, the greatest of whose attractions, in point of grandeur of scenery, is without exception the Yosemite Valley." The book also includes an excellent account of a trip to The Geysers, pages 58-67. Cowan (1933), p. 494. Flake 6394. Rocq 16011. Sabin 63368. Not in Paher or Voth, et al. Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips, some spotting and light soiling to cloth, inner hinges cracked, blank leaf preceding the half title leaf torn out, large label or bookplate removed from the recto of rear free endpaper, small abrasions to the front and rear paste-downs, a research copy. (#167186).
No statement of printing.