42. BOX, Michael James. Capt. James Box’s
Adventures & Explorations in New & Old Mexico.
New York: James Miller, 1869. 344 pp. 8vo, original dark
green pebbled cloth, embossed sides, gilt title on spine.
Two short tears to blank upper margin of title neatly
mended, else a bright, crisp copy.
First
edition, second issue (same sheets as the 1861 printing
but with new title-page on a cancel). Eberstadt 107:35:
"Box was a Captain of the Texas Rangers, a keen and
faithful observer, and his book is one of the best
descriptive narratives of the southwestern country." Graff
372: "This excellent narrative is based on the
author’s personal experiences, especially as a member
of the Texas Rangers." Howes B671. The book is an
overlooked source for documentation on borderlands ranching
operations in Northern Mexico and Arizona (including
Gandara, Brevoort, and others in Arizona). Mining,
agriculture, and irrigation for the same regions are well
covered. The Appendix contains a "Plan of a National
Pacific Railroad."
($200-400)