Beschreibung:

Title: Brown & Dallison's Nevada, Grass Valley and Rough and Ready Directory for the Year Commencing January 1st, 1856, Embracing a General Directory of Citizens, with an Historical Sketch of Nevada County by A.A. Sargent, esq. and an appendix of general information appertaining to these towns. An Almanac for 1856. Compiled and published by Nat. P. Brown and John K. Dallison Author: Brown , Nat. P. & John K. Dallison Place: San Francisco Publisher: Printed at the Town Talk Office Date: 1856 Description: [2 blank leaves], [6] ad, 116, [8] ad, [117]-133 + [18] ad pp. (page numbers 87-88 not used); ads laid on pastedowns. 8x4¾, original printed boards, rebacked with cloth, leather spine label. First Edition. The first directory and history of the region, and the first mining camp directory recorded, and the first mountain directory to be printed in California; of great rarity and significance. Presentation copy, with ink inscription in brown ink on front flyleaf, "`Species of the Age' Office, with the Publishers complimeents." Cowan declares that the book contains "the best, almost contemporary account of the three towns and the county, written by A.A. Sargent" (who later became a United States senator from California, and was both a printer by trade and district attorney for Nevada County. Norris calls it "Excessively rare and historically valuable." Plate opines that "Much valuable material is presented here that is nowhere else recorded." Quebedeaux describes the book at some length, and notes the importance and vibrance of Nevada City, "California's most important Gold Rush City... The Year 1856 was especially important for Nevada City. In that year, the road between Grass Valley and Nevada City - only a few miles apart - was one of the most heavily traveled in the United States. In 1856, Nevada City was the fifth largest settlement in the state and polled more votes than any other city except San Francisco and Sacramento..." Kurutz adds to his commentary on the book a quote from Sargent's historical sketch, "Grass Valley is noted for being selected as the residence of the notorious Lola Montez... Here she displayed her eccentricities to the amusement of some, and disgust of most of the inhabitents." Cowan p.161; Graff 432; Greenwood 718; Howes B861; Kurutz 90; Plath 807; Quebedeaux 33; Rocq 5959; Streeter Sale 2808. Lot Amendments Condition: Boards stained, rubbed and worn; lower corner of first blank at front replaced, occasional light foxing within; formerly in the California State Library, with perforated stamp to title-page, markins on following leaf (dedication); else very good. Item number: 169523