The Last of the Plainsmen Hardcover - 1908

First Edition, First Printing. One of a kind -- Signed not only by the author Zane Grey, but also by C.J. Jones (aka "Colonel Buffalo Jones"), and by John Crawford (aka "Captain Jack"), all on the front free endpaper. An absolutely wonderful association. Illustrated throughout with black & white photographic plates by Zane Grey. Very good in original green and blue cloth stamped in white, titles in gilt. Covers somewhat soiled and heavily toned at spine, with rubbing to extremities. Binding square and sound; gilt titling on upper cover still fairly bright.

This historical novel chronicles Colonel "Buffalo" Jones (aka, "C.J. Jones" or "Buff"), the last of the plainsmen. In 1907, Zane arranged to accompany Jones and his men on a tracking adventure. This biography is based on their long adventure together. Jones, Grey and several associates venture into the region of Buckskin Mountain, along the northern rim of the Grand Canyon (Arizona). In a continuing quest to establish dominion over wild animals, Jones leads his men on a journey to capture untamed cougars and bring them back alive. After several run-ins with Navajo, Commanche, Yellow Knife and Great Slave Indians, Jones captures a wild cougar. Buff Jones (1844 to 1919) is credited with rescuing the American Bison from extinction and distinguished himself as a capture-alive, wildlife conservationist.

Widely known as 'The Poet Scout,' was an American adventurer and author, Captain John Wallace Crawford, (aka 'Captain Jack'), was a master storyteller about the Wild West and is known in American history as one of the most popular performers in the late nineteenth century. His daring ride of 350 miles in six days to carry dispatches to Fort Laramie for the New York Herald, to tell the news of the great victory by Gen. George Crook against the village of Chief American Horse at the Battle of Slim Buttes during the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877, made him a national celebrity. wrote a vibrant account of this fascinating time in the American West. His correspondence featured his adventures in the early Black Hills gold rush as he played the parts of reporter, plainsman, scout, and raconteur. Captain Jack worked with Buffalo Bill Cody and quickly seized the opportunity to scout for Brigadier General George Crook on his Indian campaign. Jack's correspondence from the Starvation March and the fight at Slim Buttes offers detailed and intimate accounts of these dramatic episodes of the Great Sioux War. Octavo. 5.75 x 8.5 in. ix + [i], 314 + [6] pp. A rare collector's copy for fans of the American West!