[Rarebooks] FS: Western Americana (12 books)

[Back Creek Books]

Greetings All,

For your consideration:
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(No. 842 )  Collings, Ellsworth (in collaboration with Alma Miller England).
THE 101 RANCH.
Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1937. First printing, Full cloth,
Octavo, xiv, 249 pp., b&w photographs. Very Good, No dust jacket.
      The story of this legendary Oklahoma ranch and showman's empire. The
co-author was the only daughter of the founder. Orange cloth with blue spine
lettering and decorations, blue topstain. No corner bumps, but some soil to
the top edges of the boards. Prior owner name stamped on front free
endpaper. Prior owner was a reviewer who typically taped the jacket flaps to
the endpapers. There is some tape residue on both front and rear endpapers.
The front jacket flap, having come loose, is laid in.  Some light foxing to
endpapers. Solid copy, clean inside. No hinge         cracking.    $112.50
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/842.jpg
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(No. 1011 )  Dayton, Fred Erving. STEAMBOAT DAYS.
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1925. First printing, Full cloth,
Octavo, xii, 436 pages, B&w drawings. Near fine, No dust jacket.
      An excellent survey of American steamboating, including numerous black
and white drawings and colored frontispiece drawing. Traces the early
development of the steamboat in America, the beginning of steamboat
commerce, important steamboat lines on the nation's waterways, Western river
steamboating activities, and much more. Blue cloth over boards with gilt
stamped spine and upper board lettering, dark gray spine lettering. A
beautiful copy. Spine and upper board lettering crisp and bright.
Illustrated by John Wolcott Adams. Prior owner name and contemporary date
(1928) on front free endpaper. Some trace rubs at extremities.    $56.25
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(No. 7049 )  [Illinois]. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FORD COUNTY,
ILLINOIS, CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE
CITIZENS, TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co., 1892. First printing, Full leather,
Quarto, 816 pages, black & white engraved portraits. Very Good.
      Portraits and biographies of the presidents through Benjamin Harrison
and Illinois governors through Joseph W. Fifer. Of more interest, however,
are the portraits and biographies of Ford county pioneers and prominent
contemporary citizens that comprise the bulk of the book. Many of the
portraits depict both the husband and the wife, and the biographical
sketches detail business activities, political affiliations, education,
children, etc. No doubt something of a "vanity" publication by those
included, but nevertheless an interesting and valuable genealogical
reference. Fully indexed, with a separate index of the portraits. Leather
over boards with gilt and blind embossed spine and boards, all edges gilt,
decorated endpapers. Edge rubs, leather a bit dry. Front hinge is just
beginning to crack. Lengthy gift inscription on initial blank page to the
original owner from her father, instructing that the book "shall be handed
down to the oldest child of each generation." Oh well.    $150.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/7049.jpg
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(No. 3597 )  [Kirkpatrick, J. M.] Dodge, Orvil (editor). THE HEROES OF
BATTLE ROCK, OR THE MINERS' REWARD. A SHORT STORY OF THRILLING INTEREST. HOW
A SMALL CANON DONE ITS WORK. PORT ORFORD, OREGON, THE SCENE OF THE GREAT
TRAGEDY. A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER OF NINE WHITE MEN WITH THREE HUNDRED
INDIANS
.
[Myrtle Point, OR]: [Salmon Mountain Coarse Gold Mining Company], 1904.
First printing, Original printed wrappers, Octavo, 21 pages. Near fine.
      "...Miraculous Escape After Untold Hardships. Historically True.
Savages Subdued and Rich Gold Mines Discovered." An interesting pamphlet
which recounts an ill-fated 1851 expedition to establish a town and supply
point on Oregon's southwestern coast for inland gold miners. J. M.
Kirkpatrick and eight others held the Indians off with a motley collection
of weapons for over two weeks before escaping. At the rear of the pamphlet
is a prospectus for investment in the Salmon Mountain Coarse Gold Mining
Company, whose mine was near the location described in Kirkpatrick's account
and whose secretary was Orvil Dodge. A few light edge rubs, covers just
beginning to split along spine.    $67.50
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(No. 6544 )  [Macy, Jesse] edited and arranged by his daughter Katharine
Macy Noyes. JESSE MACY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
Springfield: Charles C Thomas, 1933. First printing, Full cloth, Octavo,
xix, 192 pages, black & white photographs, facsimiles. Fine in a very good
dust jacket, Jacket in Mylar protector.
      Fascinating memoir. Jesse Macy grew up in mid-western U.S. in the
tense years before the Civil War. His family were pioneers and western
abolitionists who were active in the Underground Railroad in Indiana and
Iowa. He was drafted into the Union Army in the Civil War and was a Quaker
non-combatant on Sherman's famous March to the Sea. He went on to became a
respected educator and political thinker in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, and was a professor at his alma mater, Grinnell College, for 42
years. DORNBUSCH Vol. I, Iowa #133a. Bound in light grey cloth over boards
with gilt stamped spine and upper board lettering, blind stamped rule to
upper board. Very clean and tight copy. Jacket has edge chipping up to .25"
depth along top edges, some age toning, and a few light edge rubs.    $50.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6544.jpg
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(No. 5872 )  McMurtrie, Douglas C. and Albert H. Allen. JOTHAM MEEKER,
PIONEER PRINTER OF KANSAS: WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE KNOWN ISSUES OF THE
BAPTIST MISSION PRESS AT SHAWANOE, STOCKBRIDGE, AND OTTAWA, 1834-1854.
Chicago: Eyncourt Press, 1930. Limited edition, Full cloth, Quarto, 169
pages, Frontispiece portrait, facsimiles of title pages. Very good, ex
library.
      A detailed and accurate account of the first printing activities in
the present state of Kansas as recorded in the personal journal of Jotham
Meeker. In 1833 the Board of Baptist Missions assigned Meeker to the Shawnee
tribe as a missionary-printer. He established his press at the Shawnee
Baptist Mission in present day Johnson County. His journal contains such
detail that many of the bibliographic entries here even give the number of
copies printed--a highly uncommon piece of information for pioneer printing
in the western states. This copy is number 111 of an edition of 650.
Rust-colored cloth over boards with gilt stamped spine lettering and dark
brown topstain, deckle fore edges. Faint library stamps on textblock edges,
small stamped number at bottom edge of front free endpaper, library stamp on
copyright page, and a faint 1" square mark at heel of spine from an old
library label. Pocket on rear free endpaper. An occasional light pencil
notation in margin.    $56.25
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(No. 6979 )  Nevins, Allan. FRÉMONT, THE WEST'S GREATEST ADVENTURER: BEING A
BIOGRAPHY FROM CERTAIN HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED SOURCES OF GENERAL JOHN C.
FRÉMONT, TOGETHER WITH HIS WIFE, JESSIE BENTON FRÉMONT
 (COMPLETE IN 2
VOLUMES).
New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1928. First printing, Full cloth,
Octavos, [12], 344 + [10], 345-738 pages, black & white plates, maps. Very
Good.
      Important biography of 'The Pathfinder', the explorer, soldier,
surveyor, and politician who opened up America's western frontier. Frémont
surveyed much of the territory between the Mississippi River and the
California coast, was crucial in the founding of California, was the first
Republican presidential candidate, etc. HOWES #N64; GRAFF #2986. Illustrated
with 64 plates and maps. Bound in dark blue cloth over boards with gilt
stamped spine and upper board lettering. Minor rubs to board extremities,
gilt slightly dulled on spines, a few areas of mild foxing inside, tasteful
bookplate on front pastedown in each volume. Hinges remain tight in both
volumes, though volume I has a short split to front endpaper along inner
margin. Volume I has a 2 3/4" scratch to cloth along upper joint. Spine of
volume II is mildly rippled. Both volumes have some spotting to exteriors.
All in all, however, an attractive better than average set.    $75.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6979.jpg
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(No. 2058 )  Sanders, Alvin Howard. AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN
[STOCKYARD].
Chicago: Breeder's Gazette, 1915. First printing, Full leather, Octavo, 322
pages, B&w photographs, illus.. Very good.
      Sanders was a pioneer livestock journalist and founder of the
'Breeder's Gazette.' A survey of the history of cattle breeding and
husbandry, as well as the rollicking action at the Chicago Union Stock
Yards. There are also many colorful reminiscences inspired by portraits at
the Saddle and Sirloin Club in Chicago. This copy of this essential title
has apparently been rebound. The binding is full leather with gilt stamped
spine lettering and gilt ruled borders on both boards, all edges gilt.
Marbled endpapers, cloth reinforced hinges, contemporary gift inscription on
initial blank page. Some scattered foxing inside, rubbing along joints and
extremities. There is a 2" split at top of lower joint, .75" split at top of
upper joint. Two color title page, color frontispiece plate of the Stock
Yard Inn, and each page is bordered in red rule. Attractive copy.    $75.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/2058.jpg
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(No. 360 )  Sonnichsen, C. L.. BILLY KING'S TOMBSTONE: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF
AN ARIZONA BOOM TOWN.
Caldwell: Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1942. First printing, Full cloth, Octavo,
233 pages, B&W illus., endpaper maps. Very good in an edgeworn dust jacket,
Jacket in Mylar protector.
      Billy King was a barkeeper and deputy in old Tombstone. This is his
narration of life in America's wickedest town. Peopled with gamblers,
dance-hall girls, cowboys, gunmen, sheriffs, painted women, and
saloonkeepers. This is the history of the less respectable elements of the
silver mining town. This is a review copy, with the publisher's slip tipped
to the top edge of front free endpaper. Bound in buff cloth and pictorially
embossed in red. There is light browning at board edges, a bit of dustiness
to edges of text block, three 1/8" brown spots near bottom of fore edge text
block. No prior ownership marks. Fore corners are bumped maybe 1/8". Clean
inside with many wonderful photographs. Red pictorial jacket is not price
clipped but does show wear. Top fore corner of jacket is chipped and
wrinkled in an area of about 1/2" x 1". Fore edges have rubs sufficient to
reveal white paper underneath.    Jacket spine is sun faded, but only seems
to affect the red part, leaving  the black parts of the jacket unfaded.
Light soil and a few scratches also to jacket, as well as a 1 1/2" closed
tear from top edge on rear fore edge fold. All in all this is a very
handsome history of this notorious town.    $50.00
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(No. 6878 )  Walling, H[enry]. F[rancis].. ATLAS OF THE STATE OF OHIO FROM
SURVEYS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF H. F. WALLING; PUBLISHED BY HENRY S.
STEBBINS
1868.
Knightstown, IN: Bookmark, 1976. Reprint, Wrappers, Elephant folio, 68
pages, Maps. Good.
      Reprint of this 1868 atlas. Detailed maps of towns and counties around
the state, along with data on canals, climate, agriculture, land grants,
surveys, geology, railways, statistics, etc. Large format measuring
approximately 14" x 17". Printed tan paper covers with cloth spine. Some
light soil to front cover with a bit of dampstaining to top fore corner of
front cover. Title page has a narrow (1/8" to 1/4" deep) strip of
dampstaining along 3" of top edge. Binding is sound, all else in great
shape.    $75.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6878.jpg
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(No. 6715 )  [WPA] Corning, Howard McKinley and the Writers' Program of the
Work Projects Administration. THE NEW WASHINGTON: A GUIDE TO THE EVERGREEN
STATE (AMERICAN GUIDE SERIES).
Portland, OR: Binfords & Mort, Publishers, (1950). 1st Revised Edition, Full
cloth, Octavo, xxxii, 687 pages, Black & White photographs, maps. Near fine
in a very good dust jacket, Jacket in Mylar protector.
      The WPA guide, with well-written essays on the state's culture,
history, folklore, towns, roads, architecture and much more. Includes
information on Washington pioneers such as Dr. John McLoughlin, Marcus
Whitman, Ezra Meeker, and Governor Stevens, as well as the lumber business,
fishermen and canning, railroads, etc. Several Farm Security Administration
photographs. Excellent bibliography arranged by topic. Bound in green cloth
over boards with black stamped spine and upper board lettering and
decoration, endpaper maps. Minor bumps to top fore corners of boards, light
edge wear. Jacket has a few short edge tears and other light edge wear.
$50.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6715.jpg
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(No. 6798 )  [WPA] Writer's Program of the Works Projects Administration.
WYOMING: A GUIDE TO ITS HISTORY, HIGHWAYS, AND PEOPLE (AMERICAN GUIDE
SERIES).
New York: Oxford University Press, (1952). Later printing, Full cloth,
Octavo, xxviii, 490 pages, black & white photographs, map drawing. Very good
in a very good dust jacket, Jacket in Mylar protector.
      The well-written WPA guide to Wyoming, with information on
archaeology, Indians, agriculture, folklore, cultural amenities, cities, and
much more. Includes itineraries for 13 driving tours plus a grand loop tour
of Yellowstone National Park. Some nice photographs from the Farm Security
Administration and Union Pacific Railroad, etc. Appendices include a
chronology, good bibliography, glossary, census figures, etc. Bound in light
blue cloth over boards, front endpaper map. Light edge wear. Jacket has a 1"
closed tear along upper joint fold and a few other edge rubs and short
tears.    $50.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6798.jpg

=:::=:::=T E R M S=:::=:::=
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Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Rock Toews
Back Creek Books
Post Office Box 3540, Annapolis, MD 21403, U.S.A.
Tel. 410-626-1363 or 877-896-2669 (toll free), Fax. 815-425-8542
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