Rare books from WILLIAM ALLISON BOOKS

Wister, Owen. The Virginian. A Horseman of the Plains. N.Y.: The MacMillan Company. 1911. Limited edition. Printed on Japan vellum, bound in brown boards, vellum parchment back, gilt top. Illustrated by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. 506 [6 ads] pp. Cover wear and stains. Corners bumped and rubbed. Pages have edge toning and small stains. Good copy of a difficult book.
One of 100 copies, signed by the author. Dykes, Russell Rarity #37. Remington Rarity #26. Yost & Renner I 26a. Yost 32a. This edition not in Graff. In a half leather clamshell box. Color frontis and 42 line engravings by Russell, for which captions have been supplied taken from Russell's own work copy of the book, in which he made notes of suitable incidents for illustrations. Ten plates by Remington. "Although a novel, this book probably created more impressions of what a cowboy was like - even among cowboys - than any other work, fact or fiction." - Reese.. Dykes lists this book as the second hardest to… Read More

Clay, John. New World Notes. Being an Account of Journeyings and Sojournings in America and Canada. Kelso, Scotland: J. & J. H. Rutherford. 1875. Green cloth. First edition. One plate. 17.5 cm. 200 pp. + 4 pp. ads. [2]. Glue residue on front end papers, and on lower spine, corners bumped, spine rubbing, else very good.
Rare Book Hub shows no auction or catalog sales. Adams, Rampaging Herd 477: "Scarce." Dykes, Collecting Range Life Literature, Unlisted Range Rarity. Reese, Six Score 19 note. Howes 471 "aa." Graff 750. OCLC shows nineteen copies. "Clay represents a banker's view of the range cattle industry better than any other writer. A Scot, he traveled widely in the American West and Canada, observing closely and accurately. He played an important part in financing several large companies and was instrumental in the reorganization of the failed Swan Land and Cattle Co. … He wrote several other books [in addition to My Life on the Range] about his ranching experiences, the scarcest of which is… Read More

Eisenhower, Gen. Dwight D. Proclamation. Printed broadside in French. Approx. 42 x 47 cm. N.p. [London?]: [1944]. Black printing on white paper. Old fold lines otherwise very good.
Rare. Three copies of the poster recorded and two of the leaflet version. OCLC lists 3 holdings. (U. Mich. 42 x 43 cm.; UNC-Chapel Hill 42 x 48 cm. & Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin 25 x 21 cm. – apparently a leaflet as the National Archives.) There is also one copy at the George C. Marshall Foundation Library. (37 x 42 cm.) The National Archives has a leaflet variant with the text printed half on front and back.
"These broadsides were posted in the liberated areas around the Normandy beachheads in June 1944 by the American, British, Canadian, and Free French forces that finally breeched Adolf Hitler's 'Fortress Europe'. Very few of these broadsides survived due to their fragile nature and the intervening years." – Heritage Auctions
The backstory on this Proclamation is itself interesting. "By early… Read More

[Slavery] The Constitution of the Confederate States of America, Adopted March 11, 1861. Richmond, Virginia: [William F. Ritchie], 1862. Printed self-wraps. [1-2], 3-15, 5.5" x 8.25". Disbound. Corner stain. Age toning. Scattered foxing.
Originally published as fourth part of the Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Virginia, passed in 1861-62, in the eighty-sixth year of the Commonwealth (Richmond: William F. Ritchie, 1862). From February 8 to February 22, 1861, the Confederacy operated under a Provisional Constitution. The official Constitution of the Confederate States of America was adopted on March 11, 1861 and ratified by the seven original Confederate states (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) by April 22. It served as the Confederacy's constitution until the conclusion of the Civil War (May 1865). The adopted constitution differed only slightly from the original Provisional Constitution. Most of the provisions of the Confederacy's… Read More

Hinkle, James F. Early Days of a Cowboy on the Pecos. Roswell: Privately Printed. 1937. White printed wraps. Illustrated. 35 pp. About fine.
Reese, Six Score 58. Campbell 101 #47. Adams, Herd 1041: "Rare." Howes H507. Graff 1898. Dykes, Billy the Kid 245. "The experiences of a New Mexico cowboy, written by a man who later became Governor of the state. A very rare book. Said to have been issued in an edition of only thirty-five copies." -- Adams. "One of the rarest of all pamphlets on ranching. Only 35 copies were printed, ... However, Dudley Dobie stated in a 1981 book catalogue that Gov. Hinkle had told him that 300 copies were printed, although none were sold. The rarity of the item in the marketplace would support the smaller number. It is possible, of course, that the bulk of a larger edition was destroyed. Hinkle was for a time Governor of New Mexico (1923-25), and was long a prominent rancher in southwest New Mexico. Although brief, this little pamphlet conveys the flavor of the range with a… Read More

Beck, Mrs. Henry Harrison. (Fannie Davis Veale). On the Texas Frontier. Autobiography of a Texas Pioneer. (Written at the Request of Her Children.) St. Louis: Britt Printing and Publishing. 1937. First edition. Frontis. Illustrated by George Engelke, Jr. and photographs. Blue cloth with gold stamping. 295 [3] pp. This copy is from a private library and is missing the rear free end paper, which is in facsimile. Library stamp on top of pages. Bright gilt, no spine markings.
One of a handful of Texas ranching narratives from a woman's perspective. Not in Adams, Herd. Not in Sloan, Women of the Cattle Country. One of the rare books included in Trailing the Herd,
the exhibition of 152 rarities from the collection of Larry E. Myers. "Fannie Davis Veale Beck moved with her family to Palo Pinto, Texas, when she was a young girl. She recalls thousands of longhorn cattle roaming the countryside free for the taking and the lengthy process required to capture and brand them. When the cattle drives were coming… Read More

[Texas Boundary] Ortiz, José Maria. Primera Secretaria de Estado... Que á efecto de facilitar el cumplimienio del art. 3.o del Tratado de limites entre estos Estados y los Unidos del Norte America, se ha estipulado y concluido en esta Capital, por medio de plenipotenciaros de las dos Naciones, autorizados para el efecto... [Title from preliminary text.] México : El Departamento. 18 June 1836. Text primarily in 2 columns, parallel Spanish & English. 30.5x21.4 cm. One sheet folded into 4 pp. Slight wrinkling to the paper; near fine.
OCLC show 3 holdings (Indiana U.; NM ST. U. & Baylor). Not in Streeter, Texas. First edition of this rare amendment to the Treaty of 1828 establishing commissioners to survey the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers and fix the boundaries of the U.S. and Mexico. Though the U.S. had long since agreed to the boundaries, it had delayed the survey in hopes of extending the Louisiana boundary to the Nueces, thereby including Texas. The survey was completed, but the day… Read More

Mexican American War][California] The Treaty Between the United States and Mexico., The Proceedings of the Senate Thereon, and Message of the President and Documents Communicated Therewith ... From Which the Injunction of Secrecy had been Removed. [caption title] [Washington]: [No publication information] 1848. Modern quarter calf and marbled boards, gilt leather label. 23 cm. 384 pp. Scattered foxing and some toning. Very good. Howes M 565. Tutorow Mexican-American War 1703. Haferkorn, War with Mexico pp.25-26. The first American printing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican War and adding California and much of the Southwest to the United States. This is the official printing of the secret version of the treaty between the United States and Mexico considered by the Senate, with added documents and proceedings of the Senate regarding their deliberations on the question of whether to adopt it. The treaty was signed in February, 1848, but its provisions kept a secret while the… Read More

TRADE REORGANIZATION CAUSED BY THE REVOLT IN TEXAS
[Texas Revolution][California] José Justo Corro.
De los Puertos para el Comercio Extranjero y de Cabotage y clasificación de Aduanas Marítimas y Fronterizas. Mexico: [Ministerio de Hacienda?] 1837. Self-wraps. 32 cm. Text begins: El Exmo. Sr. Presidente interino de la República se ha servido dirigirme el decreto que sigue ... At head of title: Ministerio de Hacienda. Dated at end: México á 17 de febrero de 1837. Signed: J.M. Cervantes. 9 leaves, 17 printed pages. Near fine condition.
OCLC shows 3 holdings (UC-Berkeley; UC-SD & Brown Univ.) Not in Streeter, Texas. An informative document describing in detail the Mexican customs system during the Texas Revolution. This decree lists all Mexican ports, classifies them, and prescribes the staff, salaries, etc., for each. Among the ports listed are: Matamoros, Galvezton (sic) [Texas], San Diego, San Francisco and Monterey [California]. Land frontier ports of entry are also treated, including… Read More

[Mexican American War] Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna. El Exmo. Sr. presidente interino se ha servido dirigirme el decreto que sigue. Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna, general de division ... y presidente interino de la República Mexicana, á los habitantes ade ella, sabed: que en uso de las facultades extraordinarias de que me hallo investido para llevar adelante la guerra con los Estados-Unidos del Norte, he tenido á bien decretar lo que sigue. Art. 1.̊ Se formaran dos compañías de infanteria de milicia activa con los individuos de la denominada "Legion extranjera" ... Mexico: [No printing information] 1847. One sheet folded into 4 leaves, 15.5 x 21.2 cm. Printed only on the first leaf. Title from beginning of text. At head of title: Ministerio de Guerra y Marina. Seccion 5a. Dated at end: México, Julio 1.̊ de 1847. Signed in type: Alcorta. Handwritten note on first page and continued on the verso of the first leaf, about publishing the decree, by the Governor of Durango per Francisco Gómez… Read More

[Texas Revolution] Vicente Filisola. Memorias para la Historia de la Guerra de Tejas, por el General de Division, D. Vicente Filisola, actual Presidente del Supremo Tribunal de Guerra y Marina de la Republica. Mexico: Tipografía de R. Rafael, 1848-49. Patterned boards with tan leather spines and gilt printing. 19 cm. Two volumes. 601, [3]; 625 pages. A small amount of light spotting. In Vol. one there is a small tear to the title page, stains and a small edge tear. Page 12 has a small hole and two small edge tears. Page 171 has a small edge tear. Page 179 has a tear at the top of the page with loss of a few letters. In Vol. Two page 327 has a trim to the top of the page. Page 347-350 have small corner tears without loss of text. The binding shows light wear and edge rubbing. Both volumes are bound with all pages right-side up and in order, unlike many copies. Overall very good.
OCLC shows 56 holdings. Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 62. Howes F125 ("b"). "The best account by a Mexican contemporary of… Read More

Antonio López de Santa-Anna. El General Antonio L. De Santa Anna A Sus Compatriotas. [Place of publication not identified]: [No publication information] 1858. Bound in modern leather. 20. Cm. 20 pp. Text begins: "Mejicanos! Hace algun tiempo que me ocupo de mi propia historia militar y política." Dated at end: San Thómas Abril 12 de 1858. A few small worm holes, else very good.
OCLC shows two holdings (UC-Berkeley & Biblio. Nat. de Espana). Rare Book Hub shows no auction or catalog listings. From his exile in San Thómas, Santa Anna presents his justifications for his various actions in his last administration and attempts to settle various scores with his adversaries. Of particular interest is his discussion of the adjustment of the boundary with the United States and the negotiations over this with U. S. Minister James Gadsden (The Gadsden Purchase); for which he had been criticized for conceding additional territory to the United States. After a discussion of the poor condition of the Mexican… Read More

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna; Jose Maria Tornel; Juan. N. Almonte; Jose Justo Corro. Suplemento al Diario del Gobierno de la Republica Mexicana. Núm. 664. Mexico: Imprenta Del Aguila dirigida por José Ximeno, 1837. Broadsheet on watermarked laid paper. Printed on both sides. 31 x 21.5 cm. 4 pp. Text on 3 pp. Minor staining on the upper and lower margins. Very Good.
OCLC shows 1 holding (Yale) Streeter, Texas 919. Includes letters written by Santa Anna and others on his return to Veracruz on February 20, 1837. "The first letter dated Veracruz, February 20, 1837, is to the Secretary of War. Here Santa Anna denies categorically that he had signed any agreements affecting the dignity or independence of Mexico, or the integrity of its territory, and says that he would have died rather than be unfaithful to his country. A letter to the acting president, Jose Justo, Corro, follows, to the same effect with the added information that he will prepare a manifesto to the country. There are also letters by Juan… Read More

[Texas Revolution] [Antonio López de Santa Anna] [José Mariá Ortiz Monasterio] Handwritten memorandum on the Capture of Santa Anna. Puebla, June 17, 1836. On one sheet of laid paper folded into four leaves. 31 cm. From the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to the Governor of Puebla. Stains and edge chips. Good.
Written less than a month after the defeat at San Jacinto and the capture of Santa Anna, this very interesting document discusses Santa Anna's capture by the Texans and what the governments needs to do going forward, including collecting funds to defeat the rebel colonists:
"The National Honor having been highly defiled by the perfidious Tejas colonists revolt in that territory, with the intention to separate it from the Mexican Republic and arrogance with the victory they attained last April 21 over the small force commanded in person by Benemérito de la Patria General D. Antonio López de Santa Anna. The time has arrived to avenge the insults made to the whole Nation in the person of the… Read More

EARLY MAP OF WEST GALVESTON ISLAND
[Texas] [Cartography] Map of Galveston Island Lots. Galveston, Texas: Clarke & Courts. [1879-1900?] Map 55.4 x 33.2 cm on sheet 60.5 x 38 cm. Map Surveyed by Robert Trimble and William Lindsey. Fold splits, edge splits, stains, else very good.
OCLC shows no holdings. Rosenberg Library has a copy. Rare Book Hub has no auction or catalog listings. Morrison's Nineteenth Century Texana has no listings. The Texas General Land office has no information on this map. William F. Lindsey, surveyor and founder of San Marcos, was born on May 17, 1801 in Jefferson County, Georgia. He became a farmer and gold prospector and moved to Texas in 1836. While prospecting in Texas, Lindsey met Robert Trimble, and the two of them eventually became the surveyors of Galveston Island. The Texas Secretary of the Treasury, under the authority of the Congress of the Republic of Texas, had the responsibility of selling individual lots of land. The treasury hired Lindsey and Trimble to survey the… Read More