Hunting & Fishing

Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1880. Limited Edition. Original Wraps. Fair. Item #2507059 DISBOUND FOLIO PUBLISHER’S COPY. Folio 12 ¼” x 16 1/4″. Fifty-five numbered pages [blank, half-title, verso blank, blank, verso frontispiece photograph, title, verso blank, Contents (verso continuation p. vi), List of Illustrations, verso blank, Introductory (pps 1-4), 12 chapters beginning on p. 5). Three blank pages at end. 17 platinum photographic illustrations including Frontispiece. Tissue guards. A. E. G. (all edges gilt). Written note by the publisher on front blank page, “The set of the photos contained in this volume were printed by the platinum process by the author and each impression selected by him for me in May 1881.” Laid in are three letters (1 p., 3pp., 2pp.) from Williamson to Douglas dated in January, 1881. The content of the letters appears to state that 14 copies were printed for the author (not including this publisher’s copy) and that one is missing. This reference to 14 copies suggests to your bookseller that only 14 copies were printed for the author. But we cannot confirm this beyond the letter. The third letter indicates that Williamson found it in a club (Caledonian Club) to which he had donated (or sold it) and therefore sent an apology to Douglas asking for his forgiveness. It seems that Williamson was wrongly ascribing the missing copy to Douglas. Laid in also is an 11″ x 14″ lithographed print of photograph VIII, “A Rest After a Long Chase.” The lithograph is in sepia and gray tones. One of the letters references a separate print of one of the other images printed for the publisher. In 1880s the Scotland author realized his hunting lease in the Scottish Highlands was expiring. An acquaintance in the United States suggested a hunting trip in the Colorado mountains. Williamson accepted and shipped a minimum of his hunting gear, including a “500 Express” rifle, to the states as well as his “12 x 10 apparatus” (camera). From Denver City via railway and horses (“Bronkos”) they began their hunt in “Hall’s Gulch,” eventually making their way toward the Mount of the Holy Cross. The plates are exquisite. A few are of trophies of wapiti on mounts, and various scenes. Most impressive are two photos representing their success, one of a massive Waptiti and the other a huge grizzly bear. I find little information on Williamson, but David Douglas was a noted publisher for many years in Edinburgh. As noted above, this publisher’s copy is completely disbound with the covers no longer present. The decorated rear free endpaper in heavy stock is present, but not the front free endpaper. The purchaser of this unique copy, or any other interested party, should know that your bookseller also offers a copy of the 14 that were printed for the author. It is also disbound. Inquire for particulars. The plates for the issue of 14 are “photo-mechanical.” The edges are not gilt. Photos supplied on request. The text pages and plates of this publisher’s copy are clean with little or no foxing, tears, chips. There is a corner chip to first blank leaf and a small corner chip to the half-title. A rare, one-of-a-kind copy of a remarkable hunting adventure in Colorado. Copies from the issue of 14 copies are found at Harvard University, Boston Public Library, and the Getty archive. This copy is truly worthy of the investment of a fine new binding. less