103 pp. With 9 original albumen photographs mounted on captioned leaves. (8vo) 21.5x13.4 cm. (8½x5¼"), original blue cloth stamped in gilt. First Edition.
Rare account of a camping trip in the High Sierra undertaken by University of California professor of geology and history Joseph LeConte in July and August, 1870, accompanied by Professor Frank Soule, Jr., and eight members of the student body. This was LeConte's first trip to the Yosemite region, to be followed by ten more over the next thirty years. The work is notable for the excellent photographs, some featuring members of the party in the marvelous setting of Yosemite, others the scenic wonders uncluttered by human presence. Farquhar speculates that the pictures were taken by "one or more of the professional photographers who operated in Yosemite Valley." There were ten members of the party, and according to Joseph N. LeConte, the author's son, 12 copies of the book were produced for each member, making a run of 120 copies in all. This copy is inscribed on the front flyleaf, "Compliments of Everett B. Pomeroy." Pomeroy was one of the ten members of the party. This is one of the important cornerstones of any Yosemite collection. Currey & Kruska 230; Farquhar 14a; Howes L175.