The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth: Mountaineer, Scout, Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians
London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1892. Octavo. Item #029956
New edition, edited with preface by Charles G. Leland (Hans Breitmann). Frontispiece, 440 pages. James Beckwourth (Beckwith) was born into slavery in 1798 (or 1800) in Frederick County, Virginia. He was in his early 20's when he joined General William Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company. He became one of the most well-known of the trappers and mountain men. He lived among the Crow Indians, returned to fight for the U.S. Army in the Second Seminole War in Florida. In 1843 he left for California where he discovered the Beckwourth Pass (a low elevation passes through the Sierra Nevada Mountain chain. In the old West, his amazing resourcefulness was respected among the Westerners and his African American origins did not hinder his advancement. Bound in light brown cloth stamped in gilt and black on lower right corner, double red spine labels gilt, with gilt decorations, top edge gilt, light wear to spine ends and corners, front and rear hinges had been previously reglued, some finger soiling. boards. There is a small photographic image of Beckwourth with a small biography. A very good copy.
Price: $250.00