1st TRAVEL GUIDE CALIFORNIA 1st CONSTITUTION 1850 OLD WEST GOLD RUSH INDIAN WAR

Farnham's - Travels in California

California Constitution

"Gregory's Guide for California Travellers"

Exceptionally Rare Publication of " Life, Adventures, and Travels in California. Illustrated, (Pictorial Edition! ! !) By T. J. Farnham: to Which Are Added the Conquest of California, Travels in Oregon, and History of the Gold Regions" [New York: Nafis & Cornish] 1850

 Landmark Edition

While this edition is notable for early reports of the Gold Fields, it is has  unprecedented historically significance for containing one of the first known appearances of the California Constitution in book form; combined with a 1st edition print of "Gregory's Guide for California Travellers"

Both of these early publications are highly valuable in their own right. We dare say, even more so than Farnham's celebrated text.

"Gregory's Guide for California Travellers via the Isthmus of Panama"

First edition [New York: Nafis & Cornish] 1850

A decidedly treasured early printed guide to traveling to the goldfields via Panama, put out by one of the early successful entrepreneurs in the coast-to-coast express business. “The writer outlines the route and mode of travel from New York to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus, indicating necessary costs, desirable supplies, etc.” In addition to offering practical advice about travel and money, Gregory also brims with medical advice.

Stand alone copies of this rare guide are highly prized by California and Western Americana collectors alike. No stand alone 1st edition copies have come to auction since 2005; it sold for $8,625.

The bound copy in this volume is technically also a first, printed the same year by the same publisher [New York: Nafis & Cornish] 1850

The are no available stand alone copies of this rare guide worldwide

California Constitution

The accompaniment  of the first early bound prints of the new adopted California Constitution make this text a virtual treasure trove. One of the most important and difficult to obtain state constitutions including the very rare "Address to the people" including the leaves with the list of signers - found in only a few copies.

The original constitution was adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood.. The very first copy printed shortly afterward.

Original 1849 copies of the Constitution are retailing at $13,500.00

California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The year of this texts printing. so this early bound copy was printed on the heels of statehood

The constitution was historically significant for numerous reasons not the least of which is Section 18 of Article I (the "Declaration of Rights") which bans slavery. "The text was a model of advanced, liberal, and democratic social and political thought" (Howell).

In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850.

The Golden State’s rich history has since been shaped by people of every ethnic background who traveled here seeking economic, social and educational opportunity, and a life of quality and breathtaking beauty.

Thomas Jefferson Farnham (1804–1848) was a pioneer explorer and celebrated author of the American West. His accounts of his travels and adventures were far-reaching and literally opened up new frontiers along the west coast. His groundbreaking expedition along the Oregon trail as the leader of one of the  first migration of settlers overland to Oregon is heralded as "the best account of the first overland-to- Oregon migration of settlers" - Jones. Farnham also recounts his journey to Hawaii (The Sandwich Islands) and his adventures there. Last but not least he details his excursions in California.

He gives us an extraordinary look at Californian history including the war and the ultimate acquisition of California by the united States The book also offers a superb synopsis of California’s geography, climate, cattle, crops, missions, presidios, harbors, and Indians culture etc...

During its long and intricate publishing history, Farnham's book evolved to meet the changing times. In its first incarnation in 1844, the book was an unapologetic push for Manifest destiny urging the United States to secure California. 

In February of 1848, Mexico and the United States signed a treaty which ended the Mexican War and yielded a vast portion of the Southwest, including present day California, to the United States. Thus making Frnham's dream a reality just before his death.

Several days earlier on January 24, 1848 James Wilson Marshall saw something golden shining in the water at Sutter's Mill he not only set off a worldwide Gold Rush to California but an epic event that would change our nation forever. This book is a testament to those early days of phenomenal transformation.

Condition: Original red cloth boards, elaborately decorated with gold borders of intertwined gilt fillets and foliate cartouches surrounding 7 fine vignettes and the title lettered in gilt, skillfully re-backed, preserving an original a swatch of spine, front free endpaper has repaired tear  No map present in this volume, but as true in many issues probably not called for in this print. Interior has typical moderate sporadic foxing a few pages have small peripheral page tears not affecting the text in any way,. Text is clean and free of markings Replete with numerous full page plate illustrations.

This highly desirable Pictorial edition of Farnham's celebrated text comes complete with a very early rendition of The Great Seal of the State of California preceding one of the earliest known book bound prints of the California Constitution integrated with

"Gregory's Guide for California Travellers" , full of amazing California firsts - Among the rarest 1st guides a collector of Californiana and Western Americana can hope to own.

Don't miss this rare opportunity.

We are happy to consider any reasonable offer

Please see our other very desirable and valuable period text on California Travel and Western Americana listed in our other current postings.

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