Philadelphia: The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, 1914. 1st edition. 2 volumes. volume I; frontis, ix, 341pp, illus, folding map. volume II; 191pp, illus. Some wear to extremities, chipping to spine titles and spine fading, else tight and very good. 1 off 250, numbered with a presentation bookplate on front pastedown. A slip tipped into both volumes reads: "the recipient of this book is requested to regard its contents, for the present as confidential." Wistar led a long, adventurous life. He crossed the plains to California where he wisely went into business hauling supplies to miners instead of mining himself. He traded in hostile Indian country and journeyed to the Pacific northwest. Almost all of volume I consists of his California experiences which provides good and engaging detali. It is a significant account of the gold rush. Wistar was a Union General in the Civil War where he was wounded four times. After the war he made a fortune in railroad financing, although these business activities didn't make it into his autobiography. Howes W598 "b," Kurutz 691a, Mintz 501, Wheat Books of the California Gold Rush 234. Item #16652

Price: $375.00