Gleanings By the Way, From '36 to '89

Topeka, Kansas: Privately Printed / Geo. W. Crane & Co., Printers and Binders, 1890. First Edition. Hardcover. Good. Octavo size, 262 pp., inscribed by the Rev. Sheldon. Presentation copy from the author to his daughter, per a typed notation tipped onto the verso of the flyleaf (directly opposite the title page), "I rejoice to present to you these 'Gleanings By The Way', my ever loved and loving daughter, the Artist, Alice Gertrude. Devotedly and lovingly your father, Stewart Sheldon." Some penciled notations in the text, which we believe were made by the author (see notes below).

Per Cowan, "The author came to California in 1849 and narrates his activities and adventures in the mining settlements and diggings." Stewart Sheldon (1823-1912), born in New York, did indeed come to San Francisco in 1849 where he helped to survey the city of tents and was in the mining business for a year; he then went to Seminary and began his service in the ministry.

___DESCRIPTION: Dark teal herringbone cloth boards, gilt lettering on the front board and on the spine, pagination: (1-5), 6-262.

___CONDITION: Good only due to wear to the binding, mostly to the head of the spine with some small loss, and a tear to the cloth of approx. one inch, also wear to the corners, a small amount to the tail of the spine. Internally the volume is near fine, with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, the pages are clean and bright. There are minimal prior owner markings; i addition to the tipped in typed presentation note referred to above, there is a lightly penciled notation on page 15, "Dr. Jabes Ward, my mother's father", with an arrow pointing to a specific paragraph which speaks about "the good doctor of the parish, who was a general favorite, especially with the children" - if the Rev. Sheldon in fact made this note, it would have meant his maternal grandfather; there is a similar note on page 17, stating "my father's father", with the arrow pointing to "the deacon.". There are further penciled notes on pages 19 and 65, correcting a typographical errors.

___CITATION: Cowan IV.565.

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