xiv, 267 pp. Introduction by Preston Smith (Governor of Texas). Illustrated from photographs and other reproductions throughout. 4to. Full genuine Longhorn Steer Hide with hair still on, "Y-O" burned brand on front cover, tan-oatmeal linen endpapers. One of 200 copies, of which this copy number is unspecified. First Edition.
The rare limited edition, specially bound in full Longhorn Steer Hide. No copies found in auction records for the past twenty-five years nor any other records to be found of this specially bound edition of only 200 copies. Includes a photocopied letter from the publisher, Davis Bros. Publishing Co., laid-in, providing further details on the printing history: "...the record of Texian Press shows that on October 20, 1969, a regular edition of 4,000 copies and a special edition of 1,000 copies were delivered to Mr. Charles Schreiner of the YO Ranch. To my knowledge there were 200 special sets...bound in longhorn hide. Sincerely, Robert E. Davis." After years of extensive research and accumulation of biographical information on the men who served in the Texas Rangers, the four compilers assembled one of the most complete books on the subject. “Working both in person and through hired researchers, the archives of the Department of Public Safety, the State of Texas, and The University of Texas were combed in search of biographical material…a mass of data on Ranger personnel was accumulated – we believe, one of the finest collections of its kind gathered at any one place to date…Numerous trips were made, involving thousands of miles of travel, to all sections of Texas and even into adjoining states to photograph Ranger memorabilia…Almost half of the photographs appearing in this book were published for the first time…Great pains have been taken to properly identify and to authenticate not only the photographs of the Rangers themselves but also their guns, and their equipment [and]...complete sections have been devoted to illustrating badges, spurs, saddles, chaps, canteens, knives, and restraining devices carried and used by the Texas Rangers both in bivouac and in battle” - from the preface.