The James S. Copley Library: Magnificent American, Historical Documents: Second Selection

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Lot 727
  • 727

Palou, Francisco

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
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Description

  • printed book illustrated with photographs
Noticias de la Nueva California.  San Francisco: Edouardo Bosqui, 1874



4 vols., 8vo (8  7/8  x 6 in.;28 x 153 mm).  18 mounted albumen photographs by Eadweard Muybridge, Bradley & Rulofson, W. W. Stewart and others; occasional very light foxing, few scattered notations in pencil.  Modern half black morocco gilt; Copley bookplate on pastedowns.

Provenance

Eileen Burton de Pedrorena (contemporary signature on title-pages) — J. Wade McDonald (signature in pencil on p. 43 of each volume)

Literature

Howes P55; Kurtz, California Books Illustrated with Original Photographs 1856–1890 39; Streeter sale 2944; Wagner 168a

Catalogue Note

Second edition. Copy 62 of 100 numbered sets, initialed by John T. Doyle, who wrote the introduction.  This reprint of Padre Francisco Paloú's Noticias (compiled before 1784 and first published in Mexico City in 1857) was the first publication of the California Historical Society.  Palou (1725-1789) was born on Mallorca and studied there under Fray Junípero Serra.  After he was ordained, he joined Serra and other friars as missionaries to the New World.  Although he was active as a missionary in Mexico and Texas, Palou is most closely associated with California, when he was stationed at several missions.  Noticias de la Nueva California is his narrative of his service in California.  It is considered one of the first literary works produced in California.

It is one of only 21 California books illustrated with photographs before 1890. 

A good copy of a scarce and desirable work.