xvi, 352 + 32 ad pp.; errata slip at p.339. Illus. with 10 lithographed plates including the frontispiece; folding map with some hand-coloring in outline. 8¾x5½, original blindstamped cloth, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition.

Unopened copy of the first book printed in English to relate exclusively to California. The Zamorano 80 notes that, in addition, it "is remarkable for the fact that the author did not see California until long after its publication. The book was written from descriptions furnished by his agents in California... The author of the book was a partner of Barron, Forbes & Company of Tepic, Mexico, owners of the New Almaden mine in California. The publication of the book was supervised by the author's brother, John, in London. Forbes California has always been considered reliable and accurate." The map, which shows California north & south, Mexico, etc. (including of course Texas, Florida, & most of Western U.S.) and has insets of Bodega Bay, San Francisco Harbour, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Barbara & San Gabriel, was specifically made for this book. Cowan p.217; Graff 1377; Howes F242; Zamorano Eighty 38