Beechey, Frederick W.

An Account of a Visit to California, 1826-'27

San Francisco The Book Club of California 1941, One of 350 copies printed by the Grabhorn Press. Introduction by Edith M. Coulter. Quarto. 81pp. 4 plates reproducing water colors by William Smyth, and a reproduction of a manuscript map by the author. Handset Lutetia type, French handmade paper. Half vellum, gilt, red cloth sides. Upper corners jammed, else a fine copy. Reprinted from the California portion of the first (1831) edition of, "A Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom...". Beechey arrived in San Francisco on November 7, 1826. He remained about a month in California, returning in 1827 for another month's stay. He gives a description of San Francisco harbor and tells of the sad state of affairs of both mission and presidio. He also visited Monterey. The first edition of this work was illustrated but included only one California scene. The illustrations in the work offered here are from original watercolors by William Smyth, one of the artists accompanying Beechey. The original watercolors, published here for the first time, include views of the Bay of Monterey, the Presidio and Pueblo of Monterey, Mission of San Carlos, and H.M.S. Blossom. [Grabhorn: 354; Zamorano Eighty: 4, note].

• USD 225.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 3688

• bookseller: Argonaut Book Shop (USA)