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Early Walla Walla Imprint: From New York to Portland, Oregon Via Straits of Magellan, with a History of the Voyage, Scenes, Places, Incidents and Notes of the Journey
by McCONKEY, John Douglas (Rev. J. D. McConkey)
- Used
- first
- Condition
- Very Good+
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Walla Walla, W. T.: Statesman Book and Job Printing Office, 1879. First Edition. Sewn printed wraps. Very Good+. 12mo (book measures 4 1/4" wide X 5 3/8" tall). Total of 80 pp. printed in 8-point font. Original tan printed wrappers, a variant binding that contrasts with the pink or blue copies we've seen or handled. Faint dampstain to the top fore-edge corner of first five leaves, not affecting text. The book was trimmed off-kilter, with the fore-edge showing a slightly serrated surface. In all, an attractive copy.
A surprisingly engaging account of a voyage by steamer (the Oregon), as indicated in the title, with little proselytizing by the good reverend. While Portland, OR remains the titular terminus of the voyage, he in fact lands in Walla Walla after heading up the Columbia on a couple other vessels, then by stage and narrow gauge train to Walla Walla.
En route to the Columbia, the Oregon stopped in Rio de Janeiro for coal, only to find the city quarantined due to a yellow fever outbreak. Near Terra del Fuego, McConkey presents a dismal view of Puntas and Sandy Point, where a penal mutiny occurred, ruining the town and its morale. Entering the Columbia -- to which the Hudson is compared "an insignificant stream" -- he writes, "Farewell Pacific! I cannot say that thou art peaceful." At the time, the Oregon was the largest steamer to cross the Columbia bar. Includes references to "grog shops" in Astoria (open on Sunday "and not a few"), negative remarks on Umatilla, and laudatory view of Walla Walla, then composed of "3,000 Walla Wallians," and, surprisingly, a comment that heralds the region's future: "Walla Walla grapes are unequalled."
In sum, a charming narrative presented in a slightly crude production with the desirable hallmarks of a territorial print shop. An uncommon Walla Walla imprint not found in GRAFF, HOWES, SOLIDAY, SMITH or STREETER.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books, ABAA
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 7277
- Title
- Early Walla Walla Imprint: From New York to Portland, Oregon Via Straits of Magellan, with a History of the Voyage, Scenes, Places, Incidents and Notes of the Journey
- Author
- McCONKEY, John Douglas (Rev. J. D. McConkey)
- Format/Binding
- Sewn printed wraps
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good+
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Statesman Book and Job Printing Office
- Place of Publication
- Walla Walla, W. T.
- Date Published
- 1879
Terms of Sale
Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books, ABAA
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About the Seller
Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books, ABAA
Biblio member since 2010
Seattle, Washington
About Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books, ABAA
Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books was established in 1996 as a natural progression of proprietor Jeffrey Long's historical and bibliophilic interests. We are located in West Seattle and can be visited by appointment only.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- 12mo
- A duodecimo is a book approximately 7 by 4.5 inches in size, or similar in size to a contemporary mass market paperback. Also...
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
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