Controversial James; An essay on the life and work of George Wharton James

Larson, Roger Keith; Powell, Lawrence Clark (Foreword)

Published by (Printed at the Yolla Bolly Press for) The Book Club of California, San Francisco, 1991

About this Item

One of 400 copies, quarto size, [112] pp., inscribed by the author. A biography and bibliographical checklist of George Wharton James (1858-1923). James was the author of over twenty major books and hundreds of lesser works on the American West. The son of a basket maker, and ordained Methodist Minister, James traveled from England to the United States in 1881, and settled in the Fresno area. James was a passionate student of the American West, and traveled and photographed the region extensively. He was also an enthusiastic collector of books, Indian baskets and blankets, and photographs. His life had many controversies, especially his personal life, the most well known being that long-running feud with Charles Fletcher Lummis (1859-1928), a California writer and editor of "Land of Sunshine" who charged James with plagiarism, and tirelessly endeavored to destroy his career. An exciting account of a prolific author of western nonfiction, illustrated with beautiful, glossy black and white photos, and reproductions of drawings by Carl Eytel from James's "The Wonders of the Colorado Desert" throughout the text. The third volume in the Literary Profiles series. Included in the Exhibition of Western Books (Rounce & Coffin Club). ___DESCRIPTION: Original maroon cloth with gilt basket illustration to upper board, rose-pink endpapers, eighteen plates of black-and-white photographs, numerous drawings in text, Janson linotype, machine made paper, quarto 10" by 8", [i-x] xi-xii 1-98 [99] [1 colophon] pp., limited first edition, one of 400 copies. Housed in a maroon paper slipcase with white spine label printed in brown. ___CONDITION: A fine copy, internally bright and free of prior owner markings, text block is straight and square, covers are clean; overall a fine copy. Slipcase near fine, mostly clean with a few spots of light soil on one side, minimal edgewear around the opening but free of splits or tears. ___PROVENANCE: Inscribed by Roger Keith Larson to a well-known Bay Area bookseller (name available upon request) in the year of publication; additionally, the dedicatee, Richard H. Dillon, wrote his initials on the dedication page with the same date. ___CITATION: BCC no. 195. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please contact us for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Seller Inventory # CNBR504

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Controversial James; An essay on the life and work of George Wharton James
• Publisher: (Printed at the Yolla Bolly Press for) The Book Club of California, San Francisco
• Publication Date: 1991
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Limited First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fine Press
  • Californiana and San Francisco