Search Results: Americana from Caravan Book Store

Quarto (11 1/4 by 8 3/4 inches) Privately Published, circa 1960s. Signed by the author. Original. Hardcover. 130 pages illustrated with black and white vintage photographs of lumber mills, locomotives, railroad shops, stations, bridges, water towers, and train wrecks; there are also maps, a roster of locomotives, diagrams, examples of tickets, schedules, and railroad passes. Hardbound, and in very good condition.

The history of this short line was a favorite subject of the author's "for many years." He was able to call upon many individuals with first hand information, and many interesting stories.

16 mo. (6 3/8 X 4 1/8 inches) Baltimore: Phillips and Fardon, 1806. 45 page disbound pamphlet; stab holes with original sewing, lacks frontis. Original in good condition.

Includes the remarks of Little Turtle on the adverse affects of alcohol on his "Red Brethren."

Octavo (9 x 6 inches) Santa Fe, New Mexico: San Vicente Foundation, Inc., 1949. First Edition. 156 pages, illustrated with black and white full page captioned photos; black and white sketches, at chapter headings, and one colored drawing, all done by Gerri Chandler.

Designed by Merle Armitage, printed by the Rydal Press. Hardcover, very good condition, light salmon colored paper over boards, bibliography, and index.

A scholarly study of Pima ethnobotany culture. Names and brief biographies of the Native American participants, with a description of the plants they use, and their purposes There is also a section on games and legends.

Large quarto (14 X 10 1/2 inches) San Francisco: David Magee, 1967. One of 475 copies printed by Robert Grabhorn & Andrew Hoyem. 171 pages printed on heavy wove paper, quarter bound brick red leather with title in gilt on the spine, patterned paper over boards, hardcover - very good condition (minor scuffing at head and tale of spine from shelf wear, not affecting contents).

Illustrated with 60 plates - full size reproductions showing examples of California Gold Rush letter sheets - one facsimile is in a pocket at the rear of the book. Also included: a selective bibliography; an index of artists, engravers, lithographers, and publishers; and a subject and title index.

A checklist and census of artists and printers who produced "... thousands of vivid pictorial records on sheets of writing paper, (that) remain the major surviving visual account of California of that era....," both during and after the California Gold Rush.

"A . . . curious blend of local enthusiasm and topical recording ...… Read More

Small octavo (7 5/8 by 5 1/4 inches) New York: W. B. Smith & Co., 1882. Second Edition 201 pages + 8 pages of publisher's ads, dark red hardcover, cloth binding, with ornamental rules framing the title, centered in gilt on front cover beneath a gilt decoration of a riverside camping scene, ornamental rules at top and bottom of covers, and on spine. Very good condition (minor shelf wear to back cover, and along hinges; not affecting contents or overall good condition of the book).

"It has been the intention of the author of this volume to briefly portray the real features of a journey by rail over the great American Plains into the popular and more inviting resorts of the Rocky Mountains.""It has been a careful endeavor to make it attractive with incident of both journey and camp; and instructive and suggestive, by imparting such knowledge as it was her opportunity to gain from experience, observation, or otherwise; and to make it desirable by noting those points of interest that might hereafter be of… Read More

12 mo. (6 x 4 inches) San Francisco: Marvin & Hitchcock, 1852. First Edition. 2 [v]-viii, 258 pages, original quarter blind tooled red roan, good condition, cloth boards, with wear to lower spine (lower left hinge on front cover split, but holding), gilt title at head of spine, publishers name in gilt at foot of spine, original cloth boards showing evidence of old moisture splash or spill, minor foxing on preliminary and last leaves; contents clean, intact and unaffected. Old library label beneath old inked inscription "Placed in Library because of California history contained in the (the last word is un-readable)" on front pastedown.

A fine unsophisticated example. The Norris catalogue refers to it as "The first text-book published in San Francisco."

An observation attributed to Cowan refers to it as "... the first educational work published in California after American rule." The last 12 pages are titled "Geography, History, and Present Condition of California."

Marvin and Hitchcock were San… Read More

16 mo. (6 7/8 X 4 1/4 inches) Mobile: S. H. Goetzel, 1865. Fifth Edition - Fortieth Thousand. 48 pages, bound in original stiff sewn wrappers which are formed from inverted wallpaper, woodcut illustrations on the cover, and title page, including one showing a man and woman operating a large printing press. Very good condition (minor age toning to covers, not affecting contents). Crandall 4040

An early juvenile, in remarkably good condition, published in the Confederacy; where resources were scarce. "Under the present circumstances, the scarcity of materials is in itself a safeguard against a fruitless competition in the publishing business; but it is not the publisher's mission to depend upon physical incidents...."

Octavo (9 X 6 inches) San Diego, California: Liberton & Taylor, 1888. First Edition. 218 pages, illustrated with photographs and engravings, presentation inscription from W. L. Prouty who, according to the Directory of San Diego City and County for 1893-94, was the Superintendent of Streets. Good condition, original limp cloth showing wear and light stains from handling.The date and title are written discreetly on the spine.

Van Dyke was a prominent journalist who wrote several books that reflect the history of the San Diego region. In this book he states, "I have been asked to sketch the history, topography, resources and progress of the city and county of San Diego, up to date." He includes agriculture, climate, outdoor amusements, and biographies in his descriptions.

Octavo (8 3/4 X 5 3/4 inches) Philadelphia: Printed For Gratuitous Distribution, 1863. Original First Edition. 16 page sewn paper pamphlet in wrappers, minor discoloration to edges of covers, old $2 price, and old library call numbers written in pencil on top of front cover, old 15 cent price, and calculation figures not related to text written in pencil on back cover, contents clean and unaffected.

In this pamphlet, Judge Leavitt states his reasons (based on historical fact and the Constitution) for his ruling that denied a writ of habeas corpus for the defendant C. L. Vallandigham; leader of the "Peace Democrats," and Supreme Commander of the "Sons of Liberty."

The accused was charged with "mischievous disloyalty" in his opinions and statements; and subsequently arrested at the orders of General Burnside. Lincoln became involved when, in May of 1863, he wrote to Stanton stating that suspension of habeas corpus, as Stanton wanted, would not be necessary in this case.

Lincoln is not referred to in… Read More

12 mo. (7 x 4 1/2 inches) Glasgow, 1700. First Edition. (viii) 112 pages. Good condition: early nineteenth century half calf, marbled boards, considerable wear to hinges (front hinge split, but holding), title in gilt on spine.

Walter Herries (or Harris) was a pamphleteer who participated in the first Darien "adventure." Upon his return to England, he was offered inducements by English politicians to write a book that would ruin the reputation of the members of the Darien Company. His book was "Declared by a royal proclamation to be a 'false, scandalous, and traitorous libel'."

This book, attributed to Ridpath, is an answer to Herries's book, and an attack on English politicians. Ridpath was a Scottish journalist who wrote and supported Whig interests against the Tories.

Small quarto (9 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches) Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1896. Original First Edition. xxii, 690 pages, illustrated with [46] pages of plates: 40 illustrations, including portraits, battle scenes, and a facsimile letter to Lee, and 16 maps with color denoting battle lines (red for Confederates, blue for Federals), an appendix with letters of General Robert E. Lee and General Longstreet, and an index. Bound in half red leather, with title and author in gilt between raised bands on spine, matching leather corners, patterned end papers, very good condition (mild shelf wear to edges and corners, not affecting contents).

An important memoir by Lee's second-in-command. Nevins Volume I, page 122: "A combination of reminiscences and rebuttals by a gallant soldier ostracized by his comrades in the Reconstruction period; a necessary source for any study of Lee's army."

Octavo (8 7/8 by 5 7/8 inches) Washington DC: Republican Congressional Committee, 1880. First Edition. 24 page stapled booklet, with lyrics to more than 40 songs, and music to at least 14 of them; salmon/peach colored wrappers, with title, and black and white woodcut campaign portraits of both candidates, centered on front cover, with a floral and geometric border; back cover shows "The Electoral Vote for 1880" for each of the 38 States at that time; very good condition.

Among the songs are: "Garfield and Arthur, the People's choice," "Garfield Yankee Doodle," "Hurrah for General Garfield," "My country, tis of thee," "Our Boatman," "Star-spangled Banner," "The Conspirators' Song, or The Ex- Confederate's Boast," and "Victory is Sure."

Small quarto (9 1/4 by 6 1/4 inches) Cincinnatti: Robert Clark & Co., 1875. First Edition. Two Volumes, xiv, 454 & v, 478 pages including an Appendix, with details on the construction of block house fortifications, and an Index."Illustrated with Campaign and Battle Maps Compiled by Edward Ruger, Late Superintendant Topographical Engineer Office, Headquarters Department of the Cumberland," in an Atlas of 22 maps (complete), most of them fold-out with color highlights, showing army movements (both Federal and Confederate); a few with old tape repairs to some of the fold lines, not affecting contents, which are intact and very readable.

Very good condition (rebound in dark green cloth, with mild shelf wear to labels), titles in gilt on spines.

Nevins, "Civil War Books, A Critical Bibliography" volume I, page 47 "A large compendium of information concerning Gen. Thomas and his Federal army; Vol. III is an atlas."

Quarto in oblong format (11 by 14 1/2 inches) Oakland, California: Thompson & West [Printed by Pacific Press Printing and Publishing House], 1880. First, Original Edition. [3] iv-vi [2], [1] 12-192 pages; eighty-seven full page lithographic views, including a double page bird's-eye-view of the Wolfskill Ranch; full page colored map showing the Western States of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California dated 1878.

Good condition: stamped-embossed original cloth over boards, with title in gilt centered on the front cover; professionally re-backed, with new corners, new endpapers to match the period; title in gilt on spine. Loss to lower right margin of one view, not affecting that image, archival repair to tear in margin of another plate, not affecting that image; another view, and pages 19-22, 37-38, 129-130 provided in facsimile, and are compatible to the contents - the book is in otherwise original condition, with binding and contents intact.

The fine plates are of local businesses, residences, farms,… Read More

Octavo (9 by 6 inches) Boston: Press of Rockwell and Churchill, 1884. First Edition. 405 pages, "Roster and Record," index, original brown cloth binding with gold emblem on the front cover, and title in gilt on spine, both covers decorated with bands in blind, very good condition (mild shelf wear to edges, not affecting contents).

A chronicle of the IX Corps, written by seven different veterans. The name of a former owner is written in a neat hand on the front fly leaf: "Serg. John A. Fisher Northfield Mass." He is listed in the book on pages 171 and 369, as being wounded at Spottsylvania, before being discharched in 1864. Also, according to a separate note inserted in the book, Fisher's cousin was Joseph Austin Harris, listed on page 371; discharged in 1865.

Small quarto (10 x 7 inches) San Francisco: Published by the Passenger Department of the Central Pacific Railroad Company and Leased Lines, Including the Southern Pacific Railroad and Connections, October, 1883. first two leaves are railroad ads for Central Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads [9]-63 pages [1], 20 illustrations in descriptive text, map, brown cloth binding, covers bordered top and bottom with line and decorative rules in blind, title in gilt on front cover. Very good condition, original cloth over boards.

The journalist and promotor, Truman, begins: "This illustrated volume has been prepared in the interest of two general classes - emigrants, from all sections of the civilized world, seeking for permanent homes in a healthful agricultural country, of the first part, and the people generally of California, of the second part, who are anxious to share their splendid lands and their incomparable climate with other industrial men and women of their own kind fron all quarters of the… Read More

Octavo (9 by 6 1/4 inches) New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925. Later Printing (First was 1893) 310 pages, illustrated with 38 black and white halftone images taken from photographs by the author, along with drawings by others, and music; hardcover, good condition, decorated brown cloth, with stamped black and yellow pattern on cover and spine, resembling Southwestern weaving, and framing the title in gilt; and similarly on spine; upper right corner of front cover slightly bent from old bump, not affecting contents.

Signed presentation from the author to William G. Kerkhoff, an early Southern California business man and philanthropist. Lummis writes, "To ... Staunch Old Timer."

Quarto (11 1/4 by 8 1/2 inches) Glendale, California: Interurban Press, 1986. First Edition. 207 pages printed on coated stock, illustrated with black and white vintage photographs, time tables, tickets, diagrams of cars, roster of equipment, bibliography, index; hardcover in very good condition with original colorful dust jacket.

Interurbans Special 103: History of the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad, most notable (according to the authors) because it was ... "built to higher than normal standards for electric shortline railroads; it operated mostly with a third rail power system; it ran exclusively on private rights-of-way; it served a geographically narrow region whose economy was heavily dependent on one industry - coal."

Octavo (9 by 5 3/4 inches) New York: Loyal Publication Society of New York "No. 26.", 1863. First Edition, very good condition, 18 pages, original stitched wrappers, with stab marks along the spine, and minor chipping to edges; not affecting contents which are intact and clean; Wm. C. Bryant & Co. Printers.

Hamilton was a "Southern Union man." He opposed secession, and slavery; he eventually became Governor of Texas.His letter to Lincoln, dated July 28, 1863 shortly after Gettysburg, supports the Emancipation Proclamation. He proclaims slavery an enemy of the nation, and states that former slaves are " ... capable of being made allies in the common cause of freedom, justice, and humanity."

Octavo (8 3/4 by 6 inches) New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1882. First Edition. x, 502 pages, eight folded maps, frontis is an engraved portrait of Thomas.

Appendix contains "Roster of Troops Engaged at Mill Springs, Kentucky January 19, 1862," and "Organization of U. S. Forces Commanded by Major General Geo. H. Thomas, at the Battle of Nashville, Tenn, Dec. 15 and 16, 1864." Index, and six pages of Publisher's advertisements.

Original blue cloth binding, with facsimile signature of General Thomas centered on upper cover in gilt; and title, author, and publisher in gilt on spine. Very good condition (light, old water stain to lower right corner of front cover, and lower left corner of back cover; not affecting contents that are intact, bright, and clean).

A biography of "The Rock of Chickamauga," previously belonging to a West Point graduate, Captain F. W. Mansfield, U. S. Infantry, with his book plate on front pastedown, and his inked signature, at "Fort Apache, Arizona, September 1897" on… Read More