Oregon and California in 1848
New York: Harper and Brothers, 1864. 2 volume set. 393, 379pp. Duodecimos [20 cm] Brown pebbled cloth with the titles gilt stamped on the backstrips. Both volumes better than very good. Gentle rubbing to corners. Clipped newspaper article on front and rear free endsheets of volume 1.
Fold-out Colton map 'Map of the United States of America, Showing the Rail Roads' [70 cm x 56 cm] is present and hand-tinted in volume 1. Item #8035
Thornton was one of the real pioneers of Oregon and California, arriving in Oregon in 1846. He has always been considered a good authority and this work is among the best. Volume 1 covers his overland trek from Westport in a party led by Col. W.H. Russell. Volume 2 is the first printed account of the sufferings and horrors of the Donner Party, who left Westport shortly after Thornton's group, and even passed them on the trail. Kurutz 632c Howes T224. Zamorano Eighty: 74. Wheat Gold Rush 208. Wagner/Camp 174:3. Cowan p.230.
Price: $500.00