![[CALIFORNIA]. The Miners' Own Book, containing Correct Illustrations and Descriptions of the Various Modes of California Minining. San Francisco: Hutchings & Rosenfield, 1858.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2007/NYR/2007_NYR_01922_0107_000(031127).jpg?w=1)
Details
[CALIFORNIA]. The Miners' Own Book, containing Correct Illustrations and Descriptions of the Various Modes of California Minining. San Francisco: Hutchings & Rosenfield, 1858.
8o (220 x 138 mm). 32 pages. Woodcuts in text. Later half calf.
FIRST EDITION, and rare. According to American Book Prices Current, the only copy sold in the last 30 years was at Sotheby's, 24 February 1976, lot 68. James Mason Hutchings claimed that he thought this was the first book of its kind ever published, containing "familiar, though correct views and descriptions, [of] everything connected with the immense mining operations of the State." Much of the information had appeared in his magazine Hutchings Illustrated California Magazine for the years 1856 and 1857. Many of the illustrations were supplied by Charles Christian Nahl, and are now recognized as classics. Cowan (1914) p.154; Howes M-639; Kurutz 444; Streeter sale V:2839; Wheat Gold Rush 141.
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FIRST EDITION, and rare. According to American Book Prices Current, the only copy sold in the last 30 years was at Sotheby's, 24 February 1976, lot 68. James Mason Hutchings claimed that he thought this was the first book of its kind ever published, containing "familiar, though correct views and descriptions, [of] everything connected with the immense mining operations of the State." Much of the information had appeared in his magazine Hutchings Illustrated California Magazine for the years 1856 and 1857. Many of the illustrations were supplied by Charles Christian Nahl, and are now recognized as classics. Cowan (1914) p.154; Howes M-639; Kurutz 444; Streeter sale V:2839; Wheat Gold Rush 141.