Davis, William Heath

Seventy-Five Years in California [extra-illustrated Author's Section of the Argonaut Edition]

San Francisco: John Howell, 1929. 1st Edition. Hardcover.
"This is copy Number 105 of the Author's Section of the Argonaut Edition...Autographed by the editor and publisher and containing, in addition to the extra material listed on the pages following, a complete article in manuscript by the author; limited to 50 copies, numbered from 101 to 150 inclusive."
Howell produced 250 numbered, limited copies, described on the final page, in several sequences, many more or less elaborately extra-illustrated. In addition to many reproductions, photostats and illustrations not found in the usual edition, a selection of original manuscripts and unusual printed material is bound in, listed in a typed additional table of contents (see photographs). This copy, one of the "Author's Section", seems to emphasize connections with Davis's life including his birthplace of Hawaii, Pacific maritime trade, and early Californian tycoons, as well as California and San Francisco history generally.
Full leather binding, with California bears in gilt on the spine, and a California seal inset on the front board. Top edge gilt. Gilt turn ins, signed by the binder "Bennett, N.Y.". Front joint tender. Some page edges darkened, some of the additional material is oddly sized. xxxii, 422, [4]pp. 7.75 x 10.5 x 2.5".
Highlights include:
Davis's recollections of Captain John Paty and his wife. Typescript, heavily annotated and corrected in pencil. Like Davis himself, Paty and his family frequently travelled between California and Hawaii, playing a key role in the early history of both.
A manuscript deed recording the sale of land in San Diego to Davis.
The Mayor's Proclamation of April 18, 1906, shutting down gas and electricity, instituting a curfew in the darkness and authorizing the killing of looters in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.
Manuscript pages from the accounts of the crew of Captain William Leidesdorff's ship the Julia Ann, as well as a "photostat of the author's manuscript story of William A. Leidesdorff referring to the arrival in San Francisco in 1841 of the Julia Ann". Born in St. Croix, Leidesdorff has been celebrated as San Francisco's first black millionaire. The author's brother was a passenger aboard the Julia Ann when Leidesdorff made his first visit to San Francisco, after an eventful passage through the Straits of Magellan.
"Supreme Court of New York document, May 13, 1850. From the Rodman Price papers". Relates to the naval officer and affluent tycoon's Price vs Dewey suit.
The final chapters of Ruschenberger's A Voyage Round the World, 1836, bound in despite the significant difference in size. "Sketches in Mexico", "Conclusion" pp.520-548, "Sketches in the Sandwich Islands pp.450-502. Very Good. Item #2026-S197

Price: $2,500.00