ILLUSTRATED SKETCHES OF DEATH VALLEY AND OTHER BORAX DESERTS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. By John R. Spears. Chicago and New York: Rand, McNally & Company, Publishers, 1892. 18.8x12.8 cm (octavo), pp. [1-6] 7-226 [227-232: ads], illustrations, 1 map ("Map of the Borax Fields of the Pacific Coast"), publisher's brown cloth stamped in gold. First edition. Issued in both paper wrappers as "Globe Library," volume I, number 175, dated September 20, 1892, and in cloth, this being one of the latter. "Spears favors his readers with an intimate word-picture of Death Valley as it appeared in 1891 ... ILLUSTRATED SKETCHES is noted for its early photographs in almost the same degree as for its textual content. It is conceivable that these may be the first pictures ever published -- perhaps ever taken -- of the Death Valley region. Maximum importance attaches to them" (Edwards). "Not only is this book among the two or three all-time Death Valley books, it is also a Nevada item of prime importance. In 1891 the New Yorker Spears visited both the Death Valley mines and the Nevada marshes that yielded the precious borax. Spears is the first trained writer-photographer to report upon desert developments. He writes with humor and drama about Death Valley and Nevada history and setting ... About five dozen rare views show desert life, buildings, workmen, and animals. The last few chapters analyze borax mining and refining. For research on the late 19th century, here is source material that cannot be overlooked. Easily a cornerstone of any desert collection ... (Paher). Cowan (1933), p. 604. Edwards, Enduring Desert p. 227. Graff 3926. Howes S821. Norris Catalogue 3691. Paher 1844. Zamorano Select 103. Cloth worn at edges, a very good copy. (#175329).
Price: $325.00
No statement of printing.