Reminiscences of California Life.: 1897 CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH ACCOUNT

Willcox, R. N. Reminiscences of California Life. Being an Abridged Description of Scenes Which the Author Passed Through in California and Other Lands... Avery, Ohio: Willcox Printing. 1897. First edition. Black pebble cloth, spine lettering gilt. Plates. 21.5 cm. 290 pp. Front spine starting to tear. Ownership inscription. Covers show wear, bump to text near spine. Overall good plus copy of a scarce book.

OCLC shows 35 holdings in libraries. Adams, Herd 2520: "Scarce." Six-Guns 2394: "Rare." Cowan (II), p. 684. Decker 36: 447. Flake 9865. Graff 4673. Howes W436 ("aa"). Wheat, Gold Rush, 228. "It is said that only seventy-five copies of this work were issued. ... There is some material on Tom Bell, the California outlaw." - Adams. "Not over 100 copies printed." - Howes. Willcox, an apprentice carpenter in Connecticut, sailed for California by way of Panama in January, 1852. He spent time in San Francisco, Sacramento, and in the mines. His narrative meanders but is full of lively observations and anecdotes. He also describes Cuba, various Connecticut towns, and his later visits to California. Contains a section on cattle raising in California. The Graff copy notes the presence of a half-tone frontispiece portrait, but Howes asserts that the portrait was printed circa 1901 and only inserted into some copies. The Streeter copy did not contain the portrait. "Privately printed narrative describing Gold Rush life and experiences. Rowdyism, Indian difficulties and the hardships of a miner's life." - Wheat. "A little known, scarce and valuable account of the Gold Rush." - Adams.