A Pastoral Prince. The History And Reminiscences Of J. W. Cooper

FRANK SANDS

Publication: Privately printed for Frank Sands, 1893, Santa Barbara, California

First edition. 8vo. Pictorial cloth, marbled endpapers, xiv [2], 190 pp., frontispiece [portrait], preface, introduction, illustrated. An important book on an early California sheepman, who assisted in driving the first band of sheep across the plains from the Missouri River in 1851. In 1863 he settled in the upper part of Santa Barbara County, where he engaged in the business of sheep-raising. Norris Coll. 3381 says: "Privately printed and very rare. Cooper came overland to California arriving at Sacramento on August 26, 1850. He crossed the plains again in 1851 and 1858. Cooper was a 'freighter' in the mines in 1851. His narrative is a thrilling account of early days in California." Howes S90: "Thrilling account of early California, Cooper helped drive the first drove of sheep across the plains." Kurutz 555: "J. W. Cooper, the prominent Santa Barbara area pioneer, went to California in 1859 with his friend John Pipes. This narrative history was based primarily on Cooper's recollection. Chapters II-VIII covered the Gold Rush period." Including also an account of his life in San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton, and the mines from 1850 to 1851. As Sands states in the Preface, before Cooper settled down in Santa Barbara in 1863, he had "had his full experience as a miner and teamster in the northern portion of our state." Streeter Sale 3017: "His reminiscences of the early days are interesting and quite rare." A fine, bright copy of a rare book.

Inventory Number: 48448