xvi, 352 pp. Illustrated with 10 lithographed plates including the frontispiece, 8 of them from drawings by William Smythe; folding map with hand-coloring in outline (8vo) 21.5x14 cm. (8½x5½"), later brown morocco-backed cloth with gilt lettered spine. First Edition.
There were 32 ad pages at the end of some but apparently not all copies, not called for by Howes and not present in the current copy. Errata leaf present facing p.339. First edition of the first book printed in English to relate exclusively to California. The Zamorano 80 notes that, in addition, it "is remarkable for the fact that the author did not see California until long after its publication. The book was written from descriptions furnished by his agents in California... The author of the book was a partner of Barron, Forbes & Company of Tepic, Mexico, owners of the New Almaden mine in California. Cowan p.217; Graff 1377; Howes F242; Zamorano Eighty 38
The publication of the book was supervised by the author's brother, John, in London. Forbes California has always been considered reliable and accurate." The map, "The Coasts of Guatimala and Mexico from Panama to Cape Mendocino with the Principal Harbours in California," shows California north & south, Mexico, etc. (including of course Texas, Florida, & most of Western U.S.) and has insets of Bodega Bay, San Francisco Harbour, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Barbara & San Gabriel, was specifically made for this book. It measures 37x49 cm.
Condition:
Mild sunning to top edge, hints of rubbing to spine; toning to pages,institutional stamps to some pages and plates; stub tear to map; very good or better.