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Author: Spears, John R.
Title: Illustrated Sketches of Death Valley and Other Borax Deserts of the Pacific Coast
Place Published: Chicago and New York
Publisher:Rand, McNally & Co.
Date Published: 1892
Description: 226 + [6] ad pp. Illustrations photographs and a map of the Borax fields of the Pacific Coast. 19x12.7 cm (7½x5"), cloth lettered in gilt. First Edition."Spears favors his readers with an intimate word-picture of Death Valley as it appeared in 1891. It will be noted that his book precedes the Manly by two years. Illustrated Sketches is noted for its early photographs in almost the same degree as for its textual content. It is conceivable that these may be the first pictures ever published - perhaps ever taken - of the Death Valley region. Maximum importance attaches to them." - Edwards. Paher notes that "not only is this book among the two or three all-time Death Valley books, it is also a Nevada item of prime importance... Spears is the first trained writer-photographer to report upon desert developments...." - Paher 1844; Cowan p. 604; Edwards, Enduring Desert p. 227; Graff 3926; Howes S821: Zamorano Select 103. Ink stamp present.

Minor rubbing and fading to cloth; hinges cracking; very good.