Bret Harte in California, A Character Study (Association copy) by Kahn, Edgar M.; Wheat, Carl I. (Foreword) - 1951

San Francisco, California: Privately Printed [Designed and Printed by Haywood H. Hunt], 1951. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. [Wilke, William H.]. No. 52 of 200, octavo size, 31 pp., inscribed by the printer. A presentation copy by Haywood H. Hunt, the designer and printer of this book, to Roy Wilkins, fellow San Francisco printer; in his inscription, Hunt writes: "To Roy Wilkins / - a Printer (Capital P) / whom I have admired / for more than 40 years - / Haywood H. Hunt / December, 1951". A further bit of interest is provided on the second page of the Foreword, where someone (we presume Hunt) underlined several words with typographical errors - one printer sharing with another, we believe, the trials and tribulations that come with setting type by hand. This book provides a short look at the life of Bret Harte and his literary influences, ending with Harte's famous poem "Dickens in Camp" which was written in July, 1870, upon his hearing of Charles Dickens' death, and is considered some of his best verse. ___DESCRIPTION: Quarter natural linen with marbled paper boards, paper label on front board with black lettering, ruled borders in red and black, presentation inscription by Haywood Hunt on the flyleaf (see above), frontispiece by William H. Wilke (unsigned; he is acknowledged in the colophon); octavo size (just under 9" tall), pagination: (i-iv), (1)-25, blank (26), colophon (27). ___CONDITION: Volume is fine, with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, perfectly straight corners with no rubbing, the interior is clean and bright, and other than the inscription by Mr. Hunt and the typographical underlines referred to above, it is entirely free of prior owner markings. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please contact us for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.