6. BECKER, Robert H. Diseños of California Ranchos Maps of Thirty-Seven Land Grants [1822-1846] from the Records of the United States District Court, San Francisco. San Francisco: [Grabhorn Press for] The Book Club of California, 1964. xxii, [100] pp., 37 maps of ranchos (24 folding, 27 in color). Folio, original yellow, orange, and beige patterned boards, tan linen backstrip, lettered in orange on spine. Very fine. Plain white dust wrapper present but soiled.

     First edition, limited edition (400 copies). Grabhorn (1957-1963) 648. Howell 50, California 1293: “A fascinating and beautiful volume on the ranchos of Mexican California, with facsimile reproductions of 37 of the diseños (sketch-maps) prepared for use in determining grants of land. A remarkable and historically important study of a unique aspect of California’s pastoral heritage—before the momentous changes brought by the American occupation, the Gold Rush, and the railroad.” Reese, Six Score 9n.  ($250-500)

Auction 19 Short Title List | Auction 19 Prices Realized