Beschreibung:

Title: Brief Account of the Safety Committee of 1877. Being an Extract from the Chronicles of the Builders of the Commonwealth, Vol. I. As Embraced in the Biography of Wm. T. Coleman - with a framed calling card and lithograph advertisement for Wm. T. Coleman & Co. Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Place: [San Francisco] Publisher: Date: [1891-92] Description: Title page + [351]-379 pp. 9¼x5¾, original wrappers, printed in blue. * Engraved calling card of Mr. Wm. T. Coleman, plus a color lithograph poster advertisement for Wm. T. Coleman & Co., framed together. With frame measures 29x25. The calling card was found inside of the book, making it likely that this copy belonged to the author. A scarce book, not mentioned by Cowan. Only 3 copies located by OCLC / Worldcat. "A limited number of copies are issued in the present form, by request of Mr Coleman, as a souvenir to the chief actors and companions in the work with himself..." - First page of text. The primary purpose of the Committee, formed on July 24, 1877, was to deal with vicious riots against the Chinese in San Francisco, including killings and the burning of buildings, that came in the wake of labor unrest in 1877-8. Within 48 hours of its organization, over 5,000 men volunteered, of whom 1,500 were always on duty. Coleman instructed his volunteers to lay down their arms and to replace them he ordered hickory pick-handles, resulting in the Committee being called "The Pick-Handle Brigade." Comes with a lovely color lithograph poster advertising the services of Wm. T. Coleman & Co., in San Francisco, shipping & commission merchants. With a float-mounted calling card, all beautifully framed together. Lot Amendments Condition: Faint vertical center crease through booklet, a bit of yellowing to wrappers and a few tiny nicks at edges; very good. Item number: 231140