[Rarebooks] FS: RAIL-ROAD TO SAN FRANCISCO, 1849. Earliest publication noted by Cowan on the railroad in California

[Charles Agvent]

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(DEGRAND, P. P. F.). PROCEEDINGS OF THE FRIENDS OF A RAIL-ROAD  TO
,  AT  THEIR  PUBLIC   MEETING....  Boston:  Dutton  and
Wentworth  1849. Sixth Edition. ... HELD AT THE U.S. HOTEL, IN BOSTON,
APRIL  19, 1849, INCLUDING AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U.  STATES;
SHOWING  THAT, P.P.F. DEGRAND'S PLAN IS THE ONLY ONE, AS YET PROPOSED,
WHICH    WILL   SECURE  ...  THE   CONSTRUCTION  OF  A   RAILROAD   TO
CALIFORNIA....  Octavo (5-5/8" x 9") in the original printed wraps: 24
pages.  Published the same year as the First Edition, Cowan (page 513)
notes  that  several editions were printed. [This publication  is  the
earliest  of any noted on the railroad in California by Cowan.]  Graff
3365;  Sabin  19303  (Fourth  Edition   only).  One  of  the  earliest
proposals  for a transcontinental railway, the project would link  St.
Louis  and  San  Francisco.  Among other  provisions,  Degrand's  plan
stipulated   that  only  American-made  materials   be  used  in   the
construction  of the railroad.  Writing during the height of the  Gold
Rush,  Degrand  notes that his plan "will finish the Road in 4  years,
and  thenceforth  every  mother  in the old  United  States,  will  be
enabled  to  hear  from her son, if in California, within 7  days,  by
regular  mail, and almost instantaneously by telegraph."  This edition
includes  a letter dated 10 September 1849 that attacks Asa  Whitney's
plan  for the  Pacific railroad.  Some nibbling to  the  upper  corner
throughout  with no loss to text. Much of the bottom half of the front
wrapper  suffers from a dark stain though it is still possible to read
the text through the stain.  The front wrapper has a long tear up  the
vertical  crease  with a small portion lacking at the center  slightly
affecting text.  Owner  name at top front.   Near Fine  in  Good  only
wrappers.                                                      $200.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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