The California and Oregon Trail

New York: George P. Putnam, 1849.

One of Grolier's 100 Influential American Books.

(Item #1749) The California and Oregon Trail. Francis Parkman Jr.

The California and Oregon Trail

New York: George P. Putnam, 1849. First edition. First printing with Parkman's name stamped on the spine in non-serifed font and five pages of inserted ads, one page before the frontis and four at the rear (one of two known advertisement catalogues, no priority known: BAL 15446). Easily Very Good + in the original cloth with really minor wear to the spine ends, some cocking to the binding and both hinges starting. Minor foxing throughout, heaviest at the preliminaries and with a contemporary owner's name on the front end paper. Despite the flaws, a superior copy of a book that is scarce in the first edition and generally rebound, restored or in dismal condition. Parkman's first and most famous work, based on a 2-month excursion through the western states on a section of the Oregon Trail, including his experiences hunting buffalo with the Sioux Indians. A classic of western-Americana literature. One of the Grolier 100 Influential American Books (58) and in Wagner-Camp (170).

"[T]hey began their overland journey across what are now the States of Kansas and Nebraksa to the North Platte River whcih they followed to Fort Laramie. It was here that Parkman went to join a band of Sioux (whom he prefers to call Dakotas) living and travelling with them in the 'Black Hills' (i.e. the Laramie Mountains). This is the portion of the narrative which is not only the most vivid, but also of greatest historical value... Parkman has given us a unique picture of life in a Sioux village before it was changed and eventually destroyed by contact with the white man." (Printing and the Mind of Man, 327)
Very Good + (Item #1749)

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The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail
The California and Oregon Trail