September 16, 2020 09:00 AM PDT Annex
14
Shaw, Pringle, Ramblings in California
Containing a Description of the Country, Life at the Mines, State of Society, &c. Interspersed with Characteristic Anecdotes, and Sketches from Life, Being the Five Years’ Experience of a Gold Digger.
Toronto: James Bain, 37 King Street East. [1856]
COLLATION: consisting of: [i] half-title, [ii] blank, [iii] title, [iv] printer's imprint, [v]-vi preface, [vii] contents, [viii] blank, 9-239 text, [240] blank. Text leaves fine and fresh. 7 x 4½ in.
BINDING: Original blind-stamped black cloth. Front cover, gilt title. Edges trimmed. Tan endpapers. Binding condition is superior except for stain on lower right corner.
REFERENCES: Cowan I, p. 210; Cowan II, p. 580; Howes S-348; Kurutz 570; Rocq 16051; Sabin 79954; Sloan, Gold Rush 127; Streeter 2855; Wheat, Books 184
In the preface, this Canadian gold digger wrote: "My business in California, was a gold speculation; and there, on the banks of the Yellow Yuba, and many other streams, I dug deep holes, and made –– not exactly my pile –– but my observations on men and things . . . I shall not so much regret that I prospected as faithfully for dry jokes, as wiser men did for dry diggings." Shaw, through this detailed volume, attempted to convey to the reader a true sense of what to expect in California. He included a fine account of the varied types of people found, and as recorder of mining claims, told of his experiences with the Chinese. He also added an elaborate depiction of mining methods and a general portrait of all the California counties, missions, and agricultural resources. The final portion of the book consisted of verbose anecdotes including "How I jumped a claim." Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $25.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance.
Condition:
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Estimate:
$1,000 -
$2,500
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$605
09/16/2020
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