DESCRIPTION DE LA NOUVELLE CALIFORNIE GEOGRAPHIQUE, POLITIQUE ET MORALE...AVEC UNE GRANDE CARTE DE LA NOUVELLE CALIFORNIE

Paris: L. Maison, 1850.. [4],386pp. plus eight engraved plates and maps, including a large folding map. Half title. 12mo. Contemporary half calf and marbled boards, spine gilt. Boards moderately rubbed and worn at edges, corners, and joints. Light foxing and tanning throughout. Folding map with expertly repaired closed tears. Very good. Second edition, published the same year as the first and identical except for the "Deuxieme Edition" statement at the head of the folding map. It is illustrative of the worldwide interest in the Gold Rush that brought so many gold-seekers to California, including from France. Cowan calls it "the most complete and extensive work descriptive of California published in France at this time." "Ferry based his text on many sources and quoted extensively from Jacques Antoine Moerenhout. He included chapters on New Helvetia, the gold region, and methods of mining" - Kurutz. Also included are chapters on travel to California, different routes to take, etc. The large detailed map shows "Nouvelle Californie," i.e. the entire region comprising present-day California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. The map is quite detailed, showing missions, Indian tribes, ranchos, etc., and is based on Duflot de Mofras. The plates include a view of San Francisco, Sutter's Fort, and other maps, including one of the San Francisco Bay area. A handsome and detailed French book on California. KURUTZ 236. COWAN, p.207. MONAGHAN 689. WHEAT, GOLD REGION 155-156. WHEAT, GOLD RUSH 75 (ref). SABIN 24198. HOWES F101, "aa."