The Early Days and Men of California – W. F. Swasey

Number 72 on “The Zamorano 80” list. The Early Days and Men of California. By William F. Swasey. Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Co., 1891. Very Good Plus.

Captain William F. Swasey arrived in California in 1845 and became a bookkeeper at Sutter’s Fort. He wrote easily, and his work forms a reliable picture of the men and events of the early days, especially of San Francisco. His book is one of the very few authentic sources for the period before the Gold Rush, and particularly regarding the Bear Flag Revolution. (Cowan 225; Kennerly 112.)

Aqua cloth with gilt stamped lettered and illustrated centerpiece and lettering at spine. Light rubbing at corners, subtle soiling at lower right corner of front board approximately 1 x 2 in., some dust and spotting of covers. Pages very lightly tanned with only a few spots of foxing, else clean and unmarked. Previous ownership name at flyleaf. With 4 plates, including a wood-engraved frontispiece of San Francisco in 1846-7 (designed by Swasey) and halftone portrait of the author. Floral motif endpapers.