Publication: Woodward, Tiernan & Hale, 1875, Saint Louis
First edition. 8vo. Original color pictorial wrappers, [2], 69 [3] pp., preface, illustrated, fifteen full-page plates & one map. Streeter IV 2186 says: "This is an account of a trip from Kansas City to Denver over the Kansas Pacific Railway, and of several 'side trips' in Colorado. One of these was to Boulder; another up the Clear Creek Canyon by narrow gauge to Floyd's Hill, thence by stage to Georgetown, then by stage again to Middle Park via the Berthoud Pass; another by narrow gauge from Denver to Colorado Springs, thence by stage to Manitou, and by saddle to Pike's Peak. The full page views, are worth while." Eberstadt 137: 583 says: "A valuable personal narrative of experiences on the overland route from Kansas City to the inferior Rocky Mountains country of Colorado." Dary, Kanzana 176 says: "This work captures much of the color of the country along the Kansas Pacific line in 1875, especially in eastern Kansas. Full page scenes (plates) depict Manhattan, Topeka, a railroad bridge and rural scenes of Kansas. This attractive booklet probably was designed to help travelers enjoy their journey across Kansas to Colorado. The author (s) is unknown, although he may have been William Weston and / or Beverley R. Keim. The copyright is in their names." The route goes by Fort Riley, Abilene, (with a short account of tens of thousands of Texas cattle arriving there in the late 1860s) Ellsworth, Salina, Hays, Ellis, etc. with comments on the land, water and stock raising possibilities. OCLC records fewer than 10 copies in institutions, and Rare Book Hub notes the last copy at auction was the Streeter Sale. Covers lightly used with interior clean and tight, else a near fine copy housed in a leather clamshell case with titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine.
Inventory Number: 51061