483 pp. (12mo), original tan muslin, expertly rebacked with original spine cloth laid down. House in a custom chemise and brown morocco-backed slipcase. First Edition, First Issue.
Accepted first issue with dot over the "i" in the word "in" on copyright page, and the unbroken running head on page 9. First state of BAL's binding type 'B' with list of title in the Harper's Family Library ending at number 105 (later states end at 121 and 129). "If not the most widely read book on California, certainly this ranks extremely high on such a list. The author sailed up and down the California coast, trading for hides, from January 1835, until May 1836. He possessed not only extraordinarily keen powers of observation but a fine facility for expressing his ideas in writing, which makes this volume an excellent and very readable record of his experiences" - Zamorano. BAL 4434; Cowan p.156; Graff 998; Howes D49; Zamorano Eighty 26. Book label of Herbert R. Strauss on front pastedown.
Condition:
Some slight loss at edges to original spine cloth, light wear to extremities, front hinge cracking; light foxing; still a very good or better copy of this highpoint, in the first state of the preferred binding, in a fine custom box.