483 pp. (12mo), 15.5x9.5 cm (6x3¼"), original dark brown (or black) cloth, spine stamped in gilt; custom half morocco slipcase & chemise. First Edition, first printing.
Signed in initials by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. with the following inscription: "Mrs. B.H. Hodge, With the respects & affections of R.H.D. Jr.". Tipped in on front pastedown is a manuscript presentation letter to Mrs. Hodge signed in full by Richard Henry Dana, dated 1840. Although we are not certain what the relationship was between Dana and Mrs. Hodge, there is an 1849 journal entry quoted in Richard Henry Dana: A Biography by Charles Francis Adams, p. 167: "Plymouth, July 22. Sunday. At church in the morning. In the afternoon, to please Mrs. Hodge, went to the Unitarian meeting, and heard Rev. Mr. Briggs. A fervid and rather well-written essay, founded entirely on natural religion..." . Accepted first issue with dot over the "i" in the word "in" on copyright page, and the unbroken running head on page 9. Binding variant A.
"If not the most widely read book on California, certainly this ranks extremely high on such a list. The author sailed up and down the California coast, trading for hides, from January 1835, until May 1836. He possessed not only extraordinarily keen powers of observation but a fine facility for expressing his ideas in writing, which makes this volume an excellent and very readable record of his experiences" - Zamorano. BAL 4434A; Cowan p.156; Graff 998; Howes D49; Zamorano Eighty 26.
Condition:
Chipping to spine with cracked joints, some rubbing to cloth, edges and corners; hinges tender, a couple chips or tears at lower margin, occasional stains with light foxing; overall very good.