86. DAVIS, W[illiam] W. H. El Gringo; or, New
Mexico and Her People. New York: Harper, 1857. 432 pp.,
frontispiece, 12 wood engraved plates. Small 8vo, original
blindstamped cloth, gilt title on spine. Shelf slanted,
some rubbing and discoloration of endpapers. "Library of C.
H. Hubbell," written on front free endpaper. A penciled
note at top of t.p. says "see page 355." On p. 355 the
author mentions "Judge H., my old traveling companion,"
identified out to the side as "Judge Hubbell," the
book’s original owner.
First
edition of one of the earliest full-length books on New
Mexico in English. Munk (Alliot), p. 63. Plains &
Rockies IV:289: "Davis traveled the Santa Fe Trail from
Independence to Santa Fe in 1853 and made an excursion to
the Navajo country in 1855." Dobie, p. 76: "Excellent on
manners and customs." Graff 1021. Howes D139. Larned 2026:
"Few narratives of any period are more interestingly
written." Raines, p. 64: "Touches somewhat on the early
exploration of the Rio Grande region of Texas." Rittenhouse
153. Saunders 4013. Streeter Sale 437. Pingenot: The
plates are from drawings by Bvt. Lt. Col. Eaton and F. A.
Percy, Esq., of El Paso. Davis was a U.S. Attorney and
later acting governor who was one of the first writers to
gain access to the archives in Santa Fe.
($150-300)