1938 Signed Limited Edition Exposition Addressed to the Chamber of Deputies of the Congress of the Union...Concerning the Regulation and Administration of the Pious Fund. Translated and Edited by Herbert Ingram Priestley

John Henry Nash (1871-1947), American printer and bibliophile, born Woodbridge, Canada. After learning the printer's trade, he emigrated to the United States in
1894. He eventually became professor of typography at the University of Oregon. A vital and vigorous personality in American printing he made beautiful books in California under patronage which has permitted him to work without too much consideration for limits of time, materials and expense. All of Nash's books are
collectors items and are highlighted in a 1932 edition by Lakeside Press, ranking Nash's books amongst the best printers and binders since William Morris.California History A book printed by John Henry Nash of San Francisco titled 'Exposition Addressed to the Chamber of Deputies of the Congress of the Union by Senor Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo, Deputy for Alta California Concerning the Regulation and Administration of the Pious Fund. Translated and Edited by Herbert Ingram Priestley. Librarian of the Bancroft Library, University of California. San Francisco, Printed by John Henry Nash. 1938.

Only 650 Copies were printed and bound. 35 pages including introduction and actual speech. Some cover wear and jacket tear but otherwise this is a book in exceptional condition. The California Pious Fund, started in the late 1600's and was used by the Jesuits, Dominicans and Franciscans to set up and run the California missions up and down the coast of California. Potential invasions from Russia, French and Americans in the 1830's and some earlier instances, the fund was used to support the military defense of California. When Santa Ana confiscated the fund and demanded that all the missions and mission properties be sold in the 1840's, the fund nearly collapsed however a rejuvenation of legal action against the government of Mexico to recover the proceeds of the fund to help support the missions (which were still operating but not as a military defense system) in the 1860's. An important piece of California history a very nice and somewhat rare book.