Early Days Of A Cowboy On The Pecos

JAMES F HINKLE

Publication: Privately printed, 1937, Roswell

First edition. Printed wrappers, 35 pp., 7 illustrations. "The experiences of a New Mexico cowboy, written by a man who later became governor of the state. A presentation copy of the extremely rare first edition of James F. Hinkle's Pecos cowboy history, inscribed by him to Roswell, New Mexico, businessman H.D.O. Hammond on the inside of the front wrapper. Hammond is mentioned briefly in issues of the ROSWELL DAILY RECORD as a director of the Roswell Building and Loan Association. One of only thirty-five copies printed, and one of the key cattle rarities. James Hinkle arrived in Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the late 1880s with a trail herd of 800 cattle that he helped drive from Toyah, Texas. He opens his text by relating that "While this is more or less personal, still it is in a way history of the old cattle days never to return." The photographs interspersed throughout picture the CA Ranch in 1886, cowboys out on the range, a chuck wagon, cowboys on horseback "Cinching up," a "Ranch Cook, 1893," and the "CA Ranch House, 1896." Hinkle came to New Mexico in 1885 and therefore missed the Lincoln County War. Working as a cowboy, he was associated with many who participated, however, and this work is highly prized. A very rare book, it is said to have been issued in an edition of only 35 copies."---Ramon Adams. "One of the rarest of all pamphlets on ranching....Hinkle was for a time Governor of New Mexico (1923-25), and was long a prominent rancher in southwestern New Mexico. Although brief, this little pamphlet conveys the flavor of the range with great flair."---Bill Reese. Very rare, especially in this condition. "One of the rarest of all pamphlets on ranching. Only 35 copies were printed, according to the colophon. However, Dudley Dobie stated in a 1981 book catalogue that Governor Hinkle had told him that 300 copies were printed, although none were sold. The rarity of the item in the marketplace would support the smaller number. It is possible, of course, that the bulk of a larger edition was destroyed. Hinkle was for a time Governor of New Mexico (1923-25), and was long a prominent rancher in southwest New Mexico. Although brief, this little pamphlet conveys the flavor of the range with great flair. A new edition of 550 copies was produced by the Stagecoach Press in 1954, with an introduction by William S. Wallace. Wallace's researches, reported there, tend to confirm the small size of the first edition" – Reese. "A fine little booklet...much sought by collectors....it is now very difficult to find at any price" – Dykes. Though Reese states the limitation is printed on the colophon, there is no colophon in the work. Graff informs us that the thirty-five-copy limitation came from "information received from the author's widow through Herbert Brayer." In any case, this is a rare work made more desirable by the presentation inscription from the author to a fellow New Mexican. Old calculation in blue ink to upper right corner of the front cover, covers lightly soiled, internally clean and tight else a very good copy housed in a leatherette clamshell case with the titles stamped in gilt on the spine.

Inventory Number: 48084