Welcome to Back of Beyond Books' recent acquisitions list. While we specialize in books of the American West, these listings will run the gamut of genres. You're receiving this list because you've either purchased from us or are a friend in the business. If you prefer not to see these monthly postings you may easily unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the page.
If you haven't already checked out our most recent catalogue follow this link to view it! Catalogue No. 23
We have two rare book fairs fast approaching!
The Rocky Mountain Book & Paper Fair will operate August 6th and 7th. This is our first in person fair in over a year! We can't wait! The fair will take place at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Tickets are $5/person. For more information follow this link: http://www.rmaba.org
We buy collections and maintain want lists. Books are subject to prior sale and may be held for one week. Any item is returnable within two weeks for a full refund. Dealer discounts and institutional billing are available for all books we offer.
Back of Beyond Books hosts an open shop in the red rock paradise of Moab, UT. The store is staffed 7 days a week, and we are happy to help select and mail books, and assist you in any way we can. Feel free to call us at 435-259-5154 or 1-800-700-2859. We are currently open daily from 9am-5pm.
Thank you,
Andy Nettell
Back of Beyond Books
andy@backofbeyondbooks.com
|
|
Letters from Family and Friends in the Midwest [19th Century Manuscript Letters] |
Good. Set of 19 manuscript letters to Amanda Sanborn [or her previous married named, Amanda Hughes] from family and friends. Letters are dated from 1872-1876. Letters were written to Amanda Sanborn at Wamego, Kansas, Ellis, Kansas, and Savanna, Illinois. Letters were written from her family and friends in New Plymouth, Ohio, Sylva, Minnesota, Auburn, Bourbon and New Benton, Indiana, Wamego, Brookville, and Alma, Kansas. 1 letter is missing the original envelope, 2 letters were hand delivered in one envelope (no address or stamp), and the remaining envelopes have stamps removed. Overall good. Letters have light wear and one letter is oddly trimmed and possibly missing content.
Amanda, her maiden name unknown, was first married to Daniel B. Hughes [1847-1872] of New Plymouth, Ohio, and then married to William Sanborn of Wamego, Kansas. Most of the letters were written by members of the Hughes family, telling news of the family and the town. The letters from her sister-in-law Mellie Hughes are the easiest to read and twice Mellie mentions fancy "pickle dishes" and the beautiful honeysuckle growing in the yard. Letters from Amanda's pastor in New Plymouth, from her sister-in-law Beu C. Bay [nee Hughes], and her mother-in-law Susan L. Hughes write about her recent bereavement. Her second husband, William Sanborn, seems to have worked for the railroad and was away from home frequently. He writes about hard winter weather: "it snowed as hard as I ever saw it in Kansas I worked hard I come out all right the Old 4 died with the blower on it I had to give her up…" Her friend Louisa writes her a sweet letter about making popcorn balls and molasses candy at Christmastime, about how a young man played a joke on her by sending a book agent by when she was sick in bed "I had hair all down over my face and comb and brushes in my lap…", and that at 19 years old she teaches at a school in Alma, Kansas. Louisa writes "I have heard from most of the folks that they like the school ma'am. I have 17 scholars enrolled. I have one scholar older than me but he don't know it..." A good set of letters showing how a close knit family stayed in touch in the mid-19th century. 022977. $75
|
|
Cold Water, Temperance Poem--Manuscript
Hatchet, Hiram (Attributed)
|
Ephemera. Good. Lined sheet of paper 7 1/2 x 4 5/8 inches. Twelve lines of manuscript writing in pen. Page is lightly toned; several previous folds. Verso blank.
What might be called Temperance Poetry, this short poem was published as early as 1860 in Merry's Gems of Prose & Poetry. We found another variation in Vol. 5 of the Speaker, a periodical we could not trace. Penned by an unknown hand, printed versions certainly flow better than this version which reads a little clunky. "You may brag of your gin & brandy as you please, wine and cider and all the rest, cold water beats them all in all the degrees, it is good, it is better, tis best." Followed by eight more lines. We found an attribution to Cold Water to Hiram Hatchet who likely co-edited Merry's Gems of Prose & Poetry. The term Cold Water was commonly used in the fight for drinking abstinence. 022972. $30
|
|
Looking at Photographs Real Photo Postcard |
Very Good. Real photo postcard depicting a group of people looking at photos in a general store. Dated to 1909. RPPC measures 3 ½" x 5 ½" and was not used. RPPC was printed by "A. A. Richardson" and has a divided back. The photo has light silvering and wear to edges.
This RPPC depicts a group of men, a woman and a young girl in a store looking at photo albums.The details of the image are great. Two men look through albums (one album is propped up by a couple packs of tobacco), a stack of mounted photos are at the end of the counter, and a few photos are pinned to the wall. A pair of boots hang from the rafters, canned goods, wool shirts, books and boxes are on the shelves behind the shop counter. One man sits on a chair that has "Kansas City, U. S. A." printed on it and a March 1909 calendar is on the back wall. A couple genuine smiles are captured in the image as well. A great shot. 022902. $35
|
|
Western Ranching and Hunting Album |
Fair. Twenty photos of ranching and camping in the West. Album measures 4 ¾" x 7" and is tied together with red leather cord. Silver gel photos measure 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" to 4" x 5" with most measuring 3 ½" x 4 ½". No album covers present; photo album leaves have heavy creasing and moderate soiling. The first photo has the most damage with a 1"x1" square missing, heavy glue residue and tearing; the remaining photos have light to moderate yellowing, light soiling and creasing.
This album depicts camping, hunting and ranching scenes in the west. It is possibly in northern Arizona but we couldn't identify a location; scenes take place in ponderosa pine forests and scrub, and large granite rocks are prominent features in photos. There are some great shots of a family in front of some heavy-duty canvas tents and wooden buildings. Men hold their guns or a newspaper (one man holds grapes and a gun); women hold their hats or bonnets and pose happily for the camera. There are two photos that depict a well and irrigation ditch, and 8 photos depict ranching scenes. The best photo in the lot is a group shot of men and women on horseback in a corral. A small house sits in the background, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. This little album would be a nice addition for those collecting ranching material. 022869. $75
|
|
Note with Advice about Oil Painting [No Date]
Davis, John
|
Note from John Davis with instructions for oil painting. Appears to be addressed to someone with the initials N. B. Note is not dated or marked with any location. No envelope or evidence of mailing. Note measures approximately 7 ¾" x 4 ¾" and is 4 pp. Paper has one small closed tear and some creasing; toning and a few ink blots, but none badly impact readability of content. Note is written in a quite legible cursive hand.
This note offers advice on a few subjects related to oil painting. The first page describes the process for whitewashing. The next set of instructions is for properly mixing oil paints. The rest of the note discusses cleaning. There are instructions for cleaning oil paintings, paper hangings, and plates or "any other metallic substance." Davis suggests using "the bottom part of a loaf of bread" to rub a paper hanging. He tells N. B. , "Perseverance and patience, with a small quantity of elbow grease is to be added to all the above." 022933. $28
|
|
Palmyra Maine Highway Assessment Ledger 1838
Clements, Samuel and Benjamin F. Furbeux
|
2pp. Legal Document. Printed and manuscript ledger sheet for the Palmyra Maine Highways and Townways Assessments for the year 1838. 2 sheets combined for total size of 17 x 7 3/4 inches. Toned with minor foxing and several small chips along edges, not affecting content.
Ledger compiles list of assessments in the amounts of $119.17 to be levied against the Polls and Estates hereafter named. Monies were expended in labor and materials for Highways and Townways within the town of Palmyra. 12 1/2 cents an hour for the labor of man and 12 1/2 cents an hour for oxen (for the hours they actually work). Signed In manuscript by assessors of Palmyra, Samuel Clements and Benjamin F. Furbeux. 26 residents were assessed and 2 non-residents. The town of Palmyra was incorporated in 1807 and an official post office established in 1824. The population in the 1830 numbered 902 people. A great document for genealogy of an early Maine community. 022969. $50
|
|
Mahoning A. C. Baseball Player RPPC |
Good. Real photo postcard is printed on Cyko paper between 1906 and 1915. RPPC measures 3 ½" x 5 ½". Back is unused. No title or photographer information. The postcard has moderate soiling; the photo is moderately faded.
This image depicts a young baseball player for the Mahoning Athletic Club likely from the Mahoning Valley area of Ohio and Pennsylvania. 022979. $75
|
|
Cape Flattery to Dixon Entrance Map--Northwest Coast of America |
Washington, D. C., U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916. Revised Edition Map. Cape Flattery to Dixon Entrance Map--Northwest Coast of America revised to 1916. In very good condition. Light soiling and toning. Several grease stains.
Map includes just the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, north into British Columbia. Cape Flattery, at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the northwestern most point in the United States. Includes Vancouver Island and Graham Island north to the Dixon Entrance to Hecate Strait. Landforms shaded goldenrod; water is white. 022905. $45
|
|
Admiralty Inlet and Puget Sound--United States West Coast Washington |
Washington, D. C., U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1946. First Edition. Map. Good. Light manuscript markings in pen in top half of map and in pencil at foot of map in margin. Measures 40 1/4 x 32 inches. No tears or chips but map is lightly soiled throughout and was previously folded and retains two strong folds across middle portion.
1946 U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Map of Admiralty Inlet and Puget Sound Washington. Noted first edition 1946 under the direction of L. O. Colbert, Director. 022903. $45
|
|
ALS on Letterhead of A. C. Smith Attorney At Law, Meeker County, Minnesota Backed with Van Lew, Fulton & Co.'s Co-Operative Legal Advertising Chart
Smith, A. C.
|
Litchfield, Minnesota, 1876. 2pp. Autographed Letter Signed. Blue lined letterhead (10 x 8 inches) with several folds. No envelope.
Nice steel-engraved letterhead for A. C. Smith Attorney at Law, Litchfield, Minnesota. Letter pertains to a land deed executed by Smith for a James A. Brady. Printed on the back is an advertisement for Van Lew, Fulton & Co.' S Co-Operative Legal Advertising Chart published out of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania. For only $7, lawyers could receive 500 letterheads and six months insertion into the legal advertising chart, which apparently included on the verso of the lawyers letterhead. Or for a mere $6 they could receive 500 commercial notes and six months of insertions. 39 lawyers representing 17 states are included in this directory from 1876. A nice little advertising item coupled with a lawyer's letterhead. The town of Litchfield was platted just 7 years earlier so it's understandable a lawyer's work would include property law. 022908. $30
|
|
Power of Attorney Document from Mexico, 1890
Necoechea, Juan Pedro
|
Good. Content is in Spanish. 8 ½" x 13 ¼". 4pp. The testimony is written in a clear had and is signed by the notary public, Juan Pedro Necoechea. Dated to November 14th, 1890 and includes 4 stamps (one 1 peso stamp, three 50 centavos stamps) and the notary public's stamp. Brad bound. The front cover is missing; the rear cover has moderate loss and creasing. The document was folded twice and has moderate soiling.
A late 19th century Mexican notary public document from San Andres Chachicomula. This legal document is in regards to the power of attorney for Señor Carlos Sanchez Antuñano. 022876. $75
|
|
A New and Correct Draught of the Bay of Matanzas. On ye North Side of ye Island Cuba. Done from a Survey in the Year 1729 by Robt. Pearson [From the English Pilot - The Fourth Book Describing the West-India Navigation, from Hudsons-Bay to the River Amazones....1732] |
Very good. A map sheet from "The English Pilot-The Fourth Book Describing the West-India Navigation, from Hudsons-Bay to the River Amazones…" published in 1732. Printed for Thomas Page and William Mount, London. Map measures 9" x 12" to the neat line with 1/3" to 3 ¼" margins. Map has moderate toning and a minor crease on the upper left corner.
This map depicts the Bay of Matanzas on the northern shore of Cuba. The draught shows rivers flowing into the Bay, the Castle of Matanzas, a snuff mill, a plantation, a good water source and the town of Matanzas. A cartographic masterpiece, the English Pilot precipitated Great Britain's prowess at sea and was issued numerous times from 1671 to 1803. The John Carter Brown Library describes the English Pilot Book as "the first ambitious marine atlas project undertaken in England begun in 1671 by John Seller, a prominent London cartographer. Begun in a period dominated by Dutch maps and mapmakers, it was entitled the English Pilot, and it continued to be published in different parts that corresponded to the requirements for sailing in different world regions, in various editions and by cartographers who succeeded Seller until 1803. The atlases' maps were a combination of new maps and those copied from Dutch and French originals." 022980. $185
|
|
The Island of Jamaica [From the English Pilot - The Fourth Book Describing the West-India Navigation, from Hudsons-Bay to the River Amazones....1732] |
London, Thomas Page and William Mount, 1732. Good. A map sheet from "The English Pilot-The Fourth Book Describing the West-India Navigation, from Hudsons-Bay to the River Amazones…" published in 1732. Printed for Thomas Page and William Mount, London. Map measures 16" x 21 ½" to the neat line with ¾" margins. This map has minor restoration with backing along fold line, and a total of 4" of paper infill and 2" of loss along the fold line. Map has moderate toning and soiling.
This map depicts Caribbean island of Jamaica with an inset of "A Draft of the Harbor of Port Royall and of all [the] kees". The details found in the inset and on the coast of Jamaica -anchors, flags and buildings - are quite charming. 022976. $550
|
|
Presidential Message to Congress by Theodore Roosevelt December 3, 1901
Roosevelt, Theodore
|
San Diego, Evening Tribune, 1901. 6pp. Newspaper. Good. Six page newspaper dated December 3, 1901. San Diego Evening Tribune. Pages are toned, chipped along edges.
Paper prints in full the presidential message by Theodore Roosevelt read in full by the House Clerk. Subjects included Anarchism, Trusts, Chinese Exclusion Act, Labor Unions, Eight Hour Law, Forestry, Agriculture, Immigration, Military, Irrigation and more. Newspaper headlines focused on the Chinese Exclusion Clause and the Panama Canal, plus several columns on the danger of anarchists. Anarchy was on the mind of the country following the assassination of President McKinley in September 1900. 022993. $20
|
|
Kit Carson Trail [Cover Title] |
C. J. Gavin. 24mo 5" - 6" tall. Softcover. Good. Tan wraps with blue and red lettering; staple bound. Unpaginated. No publication date but circa 1915-20. Published by C. J. Gavin; publisher's information is printed about three-quarters of the way through the booklet. Wraps have moderate soiling and light wear to edges; a few leaves of the text block are creased. No copies found in commerce or on OCLC as of July 2021.
This promotional was "published for the purpose of exploiting the unparalleled attractions of the tourist trails and historic points of Northern New Mexico." The Kit Carson Highway is the key tourist attraction featured in this promotional along with towns along the route. Towns include Clayton, Raton, Dawson, Cimarron and Taos. The booklet includes many advertisements from northern New Mexico businesses. 022997. $75
|
|
Lure of the Indian Country and a Romance of its Great Resort
Littleheart, Oleta (pseud.)
|
Sulphur, Oklahoma, A. Abbott. 16mo 6" - 7" tall. 153pp. Softcover. Good. Brown wraps with blue lettering and illustrations. Copyrighted to 1908. Previous owner's signature is lightly penciled in on front endpaper. Wraps have minor chipping at spine and light wear to corners; last 20pp of text have moderate staining along top edge; text block has light toning.
This promotional piece about Oklahoma was written by Oleta Littleheart (a pseudonym), a Chickasaw woman. In the publication she writes about meeting her "pale face" husband, intertwining this story with other stories about Oklahoma history and statehood, state politicians and Platt National Park. There are 9pp of advertisements for Platt National Park and Sulphur Springs businesses. 022996. $225
|
|
Arizona Co-op Mercantile Institution Canceled Check [1888] |
3 1/2" x 7 3/4". Ephemera. Good. A canceled check of the Arizona Co-op Mercantile Institution of Woodruff, Arizona Territory. The check is dated Dec. 1st, 1888 and the paid stamp is dated Jan. 31st 1889 at the First Nat'l Bank in Albuquerque, N. M. The check was written to Robert Donohoo and was signed "Arizona C.M.I. Hules(?)". Deposit stamp and Donohoo's signature on verso. The check was folded twice and has light fold lines and has a ¾" closed tear at the center.
The Arizona Co-op Mercantile Institution was established to aid the economic situation of Latter-day Saints in Arizona and is based off the Z.C.M.I. in Salt Lake City, Utah. 022999. $35
|
|
Mining Share Telegrams to Carson City Savings Bank [Western Union Telegraph Company, 1870s] |
Very Good. Set of 75 telegrams received at the Carson, Nevada Western Union Telegraph office in 1877 and 1880. Telegrams measure 5 ¼" x 8" and are printed on Western Union Telegraph Company paper. Manuscript writing is in numerous hands but all is quite legible. There is one note on Carson City Savings Bank notepaper from the 1870s pinned to a telegram. Telegrams have light soiling and creasing, and a couple have minor loss, sometimes affecting content.
This is a good set of telegrams for the mining enthusiast and collector. There are many telegrams written in a cryptic code. Almost all of the 75 telegrams were sent to the Carson City Savings Bank regarding the buying and selling of mining shares. Most have a response written underneath the original message (usually a list of mining shares purchased or sold). Telegrams were sent by only a handful of individuals or companies: Latham & King of San Francisco, Homer S. King & Co. of San Francisco, H.M. Merrington of Bodie, Cal., J. A. Johnson of Summit, Nevada, Philip Clark of Genoa, Nevada, W. A. Johnson of Genoa, and J. W. Ryan of Glenbrook, Nevada. The company "Latham & King" is likely referring to the partnership of James Kent Sheppard Latham and Homer Snodgrass King. King was a pioneering banker in California and for many years was president of Wells Fargo and the Bank of California.Mines mentioned include the Silver Prize mine in Lander County, NV, the Black Hawk Mine in Colorado, the Hussey Mine near Cornucopia, Nevada, the Caledonia, the Julia, the Lady Washington, DeFrees Mine in Tuscarosa, NV and many others. An example of a telegram: "Genoa 19th 1878 - Received at Carson, Mch 19th, 1878 - To Carson City Savings Bank - Buy me two hundred shares Silver Prize limit thirty cents. Philip Clarke." An example of a coded telegram is as follows: "Carson, Dec. 6th 1879… Having fanning(?) album attend mint aviary seat attune salve avocation authority autumn judge Assyrian Capricorn all save fig deck oak. Homer S. King & Co." A fun set to peruse and decipher. 023000. $350
|
|
Rocky Mountain Souvenir Playing Cards |
Denver, Colo., Tom Jones, 1900. Very good. Set of 54 souvenir playing cards in original box. The original red box has gilt lettering on one side and a card tipped onto the other. Box has moderate rubbing and top of box is starting to crack. Playing cards include the standard 52 plus 1 joker and 1 promotional card with facts about Colorado. Cards have gilt edges and are in fine condition.
Each souvenir playing card has a different photo from the Rocky Mountains and surrounding area including the Pikes Peak Railroad, the Georgetown Loop, scenes from the Grand River, Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Denver, Salt Lake City and the Mormon Tabernacle. On verso the card depicts Colorado's state flower, the Colorado Columbine. 022998. $135
|
|
El Viajero--No. 485 Coleccion Micro Misterio
Gil, T.
|
Guadalupe, Mexico, Editorial Continente, 1977. 32mo 4" - 5" tall. 92pp. Mexican Pulp Comic Book. Very Good. Pictorial wrappers over glued binding of pulp paper. Wrapper has 1/2 inch closed tear at top edge. Comic book in very good condition with clean interior and toned paper. Black ink used in interior. Cover design by Julio Camarena. Book measures 4 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches. Includes the printer's master plates with original artwork. The artwork was created using black pen. Quite detailed yet completed quickly.
These little comic books were very popular and artists would quickly pump out completed product as authors submitted their text. The genres usually were mystery or suspense titles. The master has soiling to edges and first several leaves. Interior is very clean. Master measures 8 3/4 x 5 3/16 inches. Artwork has extensive white-out employed. First page of proof includes title and estimated print count of 45,000 copies, although the colophon indicates 27,000 copies printed. Remnant of rubber band fixed to last page of master. One of a kind master with exemplar of finished copy. 022923. $95
|
|
Contact
Back of Beyond Books
Andy Nettell, Proprietor
83 N Main Street, Moab, UT
800.700.2859
andy@backofbeyondbooks.com
|
|
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
Edward Abbey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
