Cornelius Cole, California Pioneer and United States Senator, A Study in Personality and Achievements Bearing Upon the Growth of a Commonwealth

San Francisco: John Henry Nash, 1929. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Wilke, William. One of 1000 copies, quarto size, 386 pp., this copy in a full vellum binding. Cornelius Cole (1822-1924) was a politician who became an important figure in California politics after his arrival there in July 1849; he became District Attorney of Sacramento and later went on to the United States Senate. This book forms a clear and forceful portrait of a man who played an active role in the political scene of the United States and particularly of California. Included also are twenty-seven illustrations and facsimiles, as well as two fold-out letters, to complete the picture and scope of this influential individual.

Out of the total edition of 1000 copies, an unspecified number were bound in full vellum, as is this. As of this writing, we see no other copies online in this vellum binding, therefore we presume the number bound in this manner was relatively small.

This volume with an additional interesting point, being a biblio-mystery: on the front pastedown is what appears to have been an inscription by the author, Catherine Coffin Phillips, which has now been partially obscured; one can just make out the last portion of her name. There are currently several copies (in the standard binding) of this work online inscribed by Phillps, so it is not a huge stretch to see that this copy may also have been; however, why the inscription was obscured is a total mystery.

___DESCRIPTION: Full vellum over boards with yapped edges, the boards with a single narrow ruled gilt border, the spine with each compartment ruled in gilt and with gilt lettering, top edge gilt, fore-edge uncut, bottom edge rough-cut, title page with decorative border in black and white, frontispiece an engraving of Cornelius Cole by William Wilke (1879-1958), a San Francisco painter and printmaker who created many illuminations and bookplates for John Henry Nash, a two-page fold-out facsimile of a letter by Schuyler Colfax to Cornelius Cole (1865), a three-page fold-out facsimile of a letter by Julia Dent Grant to Olive Cole (1874), twenty-seven illustrations and facsimiles pertaining to Cornelius Cole throughout; Bulmer type on Nuremberg hand-made paper, quarto size (10.5" by 7.75"), pagination: [i-ii] iii [iv] v [vi] vii 1-379, one of 1000 copies (total edition), unnumbered, this copy one of an unspecified number bound in full vellum. Lacking the Erratum slip. In a slipcase covered with the same marbled cloth in which the standard copies were bound and lined with white felt.

___CONDITION: Volume fine overall, the vellum boards smooth and without wear, straight corners, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright with many of the signature unopened, and other than the residue of Philip's inscription mentioned above free of prior owner markings; a few very small spots of light soil, else fine. Slipcase near fine; strong and sturdy, clean, with a truly minimal amount of wear.

___CITATION: Wright-Howes no. 307; O'Day, p. 70, which does not note that any copies were bound in vellum.

___POSTAGE:  Please note that due to weight additional postage may apply; please inquire for details.

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