September 16, 2020 09:00 AM PDT Annex
19
G.A. Fleming, The Emigrant's Guide to the Golden Land & California: Its Past History
This lot is two works by the same author bound together.
Fleming, G.A. [wrapper title] Part 1. (Colored Edition.) Price 1s. [within ruled borders] The Emigrant's Guide to the Golden Land. California Its Past History; Its Present Position; Its Future Prospects; with a Minute and Authentic Account of the Discovery of the Gold Region, and the Subsequent, Important Proceedings. In the Course of the Work Will Be GivenPlain Directions to Emigrants to California, or the United States. Or to Canada; Australia; New Zealand, or Any Other British Settlement. Shewing Them When to Go. Where to Go. How to Go. Tables of Distances and Tables of Expenses, from British Ports to All Ports of the World, Will Be Correctly Given; and Full Information Respecting the Different Emigrant Establishments under the Direction of the Government; with the Class of Persons Who Are Eligible for Receiving Governmental Assistance, and Instructions How that Assistance is to Be Obtained and in What It Consists. Illustrated with plates. London: Printed for the Proprietors and Sold by All Booksellers in Town and Country. [Engraved title page] The Emigrant's Guide to the Golden Land, Shewing Him When to Go, Where to Go. How to Go. [engraved illustration: Scene on a Branch of the Sacramento] London, Printed for the Booksellers, 1850. Collation: Plate, blank leaf, frontispiece, title [hand-colored with illus], verso blank, [1]2-48 text. 8 3/4 x 6 in. Binding: Original green front and rear wrappers. It is bound together with the large edition. The verso on the front wrapper consists of a speech of Lord John Russell on "Colonial Policy". The recto of the rear wrapper consists of an engraving "Lump of Gold from California" (weighing 6 lbs) and "Extract from the Illustrated News of January 26, 1850, titled "Gold from California". The verso is an "Address" giving the would be emigrant practical advice. References: Kurutz 243.
The highlight of this exceedingly rare wrapper bound guide are the two hand colored engravings. The first is titled "Emigrant Party on the Road to California" and depicts a long line of covered wagons loaded with families headed into a formidable mountain range. It is frequently reproduced as the quintessential representation of overland travel. The title page is embellished with barefoot miners digging and panning for gold on a branch of the Sacramento River. It too is one of the classic illustrations of the Gold Rush. Authorship has been attributed to G.A. Fleming and this 48 page edition may have been a precursor to the 270 page edition with the same title. Its text is directed more to those going to Australia and New Zealand than to California.
Bound with:
[Fleming, G.A.] California: Its Past History; Its Present Position; Its Future Prospects: Containing a History of the Country from Its Colonization by the Spaniards to the Present Time; A Sketch of its Geographical and Physical Features; and a Minute and Authentic Account of the Discovery of the Gold Region, and the Subsequent Important Proceedings. Including a History of the Rise, Progress, and Present condition of the Mormon Settlements. With an Appendix, Containing the Official Reports Made to the Government of the United States. London. Printed for the Proprietors, and Sold by All Booksellers in Town and Country. 1850. Collation: half title with hadn't colored engraving, [ii]title, [iii] printer's imprint, [v]vi-viii contents, [1]2-6 introduction, [7]8-238 text, [239]240-270 appendix. 9 x 6 in. Map: Facing p.33. Untitled hand colored map of western U.S. showing "Gold Region". 8 1/2 x 5 in. Plate: Facing p.81. Encampment in the Valley of the Sacramento. Binding: Blind stamped brown cloth over boards with new leather spin gold stamped title and date. the binding is partially scuffed. The wrapper title for the pamphlet serves as the front free endpaper. Edges are untrimmed. References: Cowan I, p.33, Cowan II, p.93: Decker 36:149; Graff 1347; Holliday 159; Howes F-178; Norris 536; Streeter 2623; Wheat, Books, 4; Wheat, Maps 144.
Distinguished collector Everett D. Graff noted that in his copy the following is written on the front free endpaper, "G.A. Fleming is the author, according to a presentation copy owned by B.E. Waters." The author opened this detailed volume with sage advice to the English gold seeker on such matters as the arrival at port, fares, outfits, and conduct on board ship. the rest of the volume was assembled from the writings of Americans such as John C. Fremont and Bayard Taylor and excerpts taken from English eyewitnesses originally published in English newspapers. Fleming also packed into the book geographical and historical data on the SpanishMexican period. He gave a history of the gold discovery and a description of life in the mines by condensing Dr. Tyrwhitt Brooks' (Henry Vizetelly) fictional work which Fleming cals "The only complete and reliable account fo the actual life of a Gold Seeker." Fleming warned his readers of the hardships of California and preached: "The steady tradesman will, in the end, prove th true gold finder."
Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $25.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.
Condition:
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Estimate:
$10,000 -
$20,000
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$6,050
09/16/2020
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Consign With UsWitherell strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, or wire transfer for foreign payments. Please note we do not accept credit cards. This auction has a buyer's premium of 15%.
