Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in California, privately issued.
Privately Issued Pre-Publication Typescript Copy of Stephen Field's Personal Reminiscences Field, Stephen J. [1816-1899]. Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in California, With Other Sketches. To Which is Added the Story of His Attempted Assassination by a Former Associate on the Supreme Bench of the State. By Hon. George C. Gorman. [Washington, D.C.]: Printed for a Few Friends. Not Published, 1893. [iii], 193 pp. Oblong octavo (7-3/4" x 13"). Contemporary pebbled calf, blind frames enclosed by gilt rules to boards, gilt title to center of front board, pattered endpapers. A few minor nicks to boards, moderate rubbing to extremities. Typescript text, running parallel to spine, interior notably fresh. $3,500. * Privately issued pre-publication version of the second edition, which was printed later in 1893. An important figure in California history, Field was alcalde of the Gold Rush town of Marysville from 1849 to 1850, a member of the State Assembly from 1852-1852, an associate justice of the California Supreme Court from 1857 to 1859 and the chief justice of that court from 1859 to 1863. He become an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1863 and remained on the bench until 1897. Dictated in his later years "for a few friends," his Reminiscences provide vivid sketches of California during the boisterous early years of settlement. The second section, by his associate George C. Gorman, recounts an attempt on his life in 1889 by David S. Terry, a former California chief justice. This part does not appear in the first edition, which was published in 1880. As noted by the Dictionary of American Biography, this "book evinces devotion to the fact and energy of purpose, as well as some appreciation of humorous situations.": III:373. Not in Howes, Cowan, Graff or Eberstadt.
Price: $3,500.00
Book number 72739