Hutchings' Tourist's Guide to the Yo Semite Valley and the Big Tree Groves for the Spring and Summer of 1877 by SOLD - [1877]

Octavo (9 X 6 inches) San Diego, California: Liberton & Taylor, 1888. First Edition. 218 pages, illustrated with photographs and engravings, presentation inscription from W. L. Prouty who, according to the Directory of San Diego City and County for 1893-94, was the Superintendent of Streets. Good condition, original limp cloth showing wear and light stains from handling.The date and title are written discreetly on the spine.

Van Dyke was a prominent journalist who wrote several books that reflect the history of the San Diego region. In this book he states, "I have been asked to sketch the history, topography, resources and progress of the city and county of San Diego, up to date." He includes agriculture, climate, outdoor amusements, and biographies in his descriptions.

Octavo (8 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches) Oakland, California, early 20th century paper advertisement printed on coated stock folded once to form four panels printed on both sides, illustrated with halftone sepia photos of the interior rooms and a bird's-eye map on the back cover. Original, good condition (rubber stamp of Peck-Judah on one panel, not affecting contents).

Promoting Oakland and the Hotel Metropole, that burned down in 1918.

Octavo (9 x 4 inches) Original, promotional staplebound brochure printed on stiff paper, with embossed gilt monogram "A" on upper left corner of front cover, folded once to form 12 unnumbered pages, illustrated with drawings and black and white halftone photos, map of Southern California and vicinity with local attractions in relation to the hotel's location.

Evocative of the early 1920s Hollywood: Art Nouveau style sepia drawings on the cover, and at lower margin on every page, projecting the elegance of the hotel; of guests enjoying fine dining, dancing, and golf, while socializing in furs and formal wear.

Very good condition (discreet Peck Judah rubber stamp on front cover, not affecting contents).

The hotel was on Wilshire Boulevard, and the location of the famous Coconut Grove nightclub. Both hotel and nightclub are gone, replaced by a high school.

Octavo (9 x 4 inch) folded paper brochure that unfolds to 32 inches, creating eight panels printed on both sides, illustrated with black and white half tone photo images of city landmarks, and tourist destinations; descriptive text; bird's-eye-view map across four panels showing the coastal plain intersected with unnamed highways radiating out from Los Angeles to surrounding areas from San Fernando to Capistrano; and communities in-between, among them Pasadena, San Bernardino, Redlands, Riverside, and Fullerton. The view stretches from Catalina to the snow capped mountains.

Color illustration on front cover of an idyllic Southern California scene featuring motoring, horseback riding, and golf with palm trees, sailboats, and hills in the background; also inset vignettes of a busy Downtown and a ship unloading in the harbor; very good condition (small square sticker advertising a local representative of the Rock Island Railroad on upper right of front panel. Previous owner's small rubber stamped name… Read More

Small octavo (8 X 5 1/2 inches) Out West Print Co., Los Angeles: Fremont Hotel, 1903. Original, staple bound booklet in wrappers, 34 unnumbered pages, illustrated with photos, portraits, and interior views of the hotel.

Good condition (some pages have old smudges, or evidence of moisture in the margins, not affecting contents).

"Compliments of Fremont Hotel Los Angeles, Cal."

"The Fremont Hotel, just completed, is located on the corner of Fourth and Olive streets, Los Angeles, California."

The crest of the hotel, which is also on the cover, was designed by Jessie Benton Fremont. There is also a historical account of Fremont, his exploits, and his family in relation to their contribution and importance to California.

Quarto (12 by 8 1/4 inches) London: "Printed by Joseph Streater, and are to be Sold by T. Basset, at the George in Fleet-Street. J Robinson, at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard. B. Ayimer, at the Three Pigeons over against the Royal-Exchange. Job. Southby at the Harrow in Cornhil. And by W. Canning, in the Temple." 1688. (16) 267 (12) & (3) 40 pages.

TWO works bound together, as published, in original full mottled calf, with raised bands and gilt ornaments on spine.
Good condition, with some chipping along outside hinges, but holding; and normal wear to corners. Title page of first part printed in red and black. Lower right corner of title page to second part torn and missing, but not affecting text; and minor old insect damage to lower portion of same; date and other particulars still very readable. Engraved bookplate of Henry Maister (of an early English mercantile family).

There are thirty-one full page engravings of animals in the first part; and five full page engravings of scientific… Read More

Octavo (9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches) Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1973. half cloth. 119 pages + (1), bound in patterned paper over boards, limited to 400 copies, "...the designs on the title page, chapter headings and initial letters are made up of typographical border units." Very good condition (bookplate "From the Library of the Iron Bear Press, Gary & Kathy Miller" on front paste down, shadow residue of old labels since removed on front fly leaf and bottom of title page, not affecting contents).

Bound by the second generation of the same Earle Gray Bindery that originally bound all Fine Arts Press books. Illustrated with photo portraits of Thomas E. Williams and examples of his title pages. A nice association: a notable Santa Ana fine press's biography and bibliography that once belonged to a modern fine press that still exists in San Diego.

Especially useful is the bibliography detailing the output of the Press.

Small octavo (8 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches) Los Angeles: Westernlore Press, 1961. An Edition of 900 copies only of which 800 copies are for sale. Brick red cloth boards with embossed device of a covered wagon on the front cover. 100 pages illustrated with black and white historic photographs, index, Indian vocabulary, bibliography. Very good condition (previous owner's neat inscription and date on first fly leaf).

At the time of the California Gold Rush, shortly after the end of the Mexican War, in September 1849, Whipple and the man assigned to guard him, Cave Couts, were assigned to survey the new international boundary line in the vicinity of the Gila and Colorado rivers; as required by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

According to E. I. Edwards, who wrote the introduction, notes, and bibliography: "Of all the early accounts written by the emigrants of the gold trail who crossed our Southern California desert, none can claim quite the same degree of distinction that attaches to the Whipple Report .... "

Octavo (9 x 4 inch) circa 1930s, original promotional paper brochure folded five times to form 12 unnumbered panels printed on both sides with halftone photos and descriptive text; cover title against an orange background, headlines printed in red, Wilmington Transportation Company flag on front cover surrounded by images of recreational activities on the Island. Very good condition

"In All the World No Trip Like This"

Octavo (9 1/4 X 6 1/8 Inches) Bakersfield, California: Kern County Chamber of Commerce, 1925. 24-page staple bound booklet in wrappers, decorative colored cover with radiant sun imagery; very good condition.

Promoting sunlight and health, coupled with heat, and pure air as the reasons to settle in Kern County.