THE OVERLAND DIARY OF JAMES A. PRITCHARD FROM KENTUCKY TO CALIFORNIA IN 1849, With a biography of Captain James A. Pritchard by Hugh Pritchard Williamson, Edited by Dale L. Morgan
Denver, Colorado: Fred A. Rosenstock, The Old West Publishing Company, 1959. First Edition. Hardcover. Limited to 1250 copies. Pritchard (1816-62), a veteran of the Mexican War, set out from Petersborough, Kentucky on April 10, 1849, followed the California Trail, and reached Coloma on August 13. Departing from the diary format, he went on to describe life in Coloma and the wet season. Forsaking mining, he superintended stock near the Cosumnes before returning east and settling in Missouri. This overland diary ranks among the most important, not only because of Pritchard's trenchant observations, but also because of the scholarship of editor Dale Morgan (1914-1971). Includes an introduction, bibliography, and a chart of travel by all known diarists west across South Pass in 1849 and illustrated with a portrait, and two unpublished maps of 1849 drawn by J. Goldsborough Bruff. Tall octavo: 221 p. with the folding map housed in the rear pocket. Original red cloth binding, with an illustration stamped in cream and black on the front board and gilt titles at the spine head. The bookplate of Gordon J. Van De Water, past president of the Zamorano Club of Los Angeles, appears on the front pastedown. The dust jacket is a bit toned, more so along the spine, with some minor edgewear; otherwise very good. Kurutz 519; Zamorano Select 92. Very good / Very good. Item #76130
Price: $100.00