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Directory of the City of Nevada and Grass Valley, 1861 [163207]

Currency:USD Category:Books / Antiquarian & Collectible Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Directory of the City of Nevada and Grass Valley, 1861 [163207]
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Directory of the City of Nevada and Grass Valley: Containing a history of the city; names of its inhabitants; and everything appertaining to a complete directory 1861. By Hugh B. Thompson San Francisco, Charles F. Robbins, Book & Job Printer. 128 pp. -Numerous advertisements. 8.75x5.5, original leather-backed printed boards, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition. Very rare directory of Nevada City and Grass Valley, called by Quebedeaux "One of the region's two rarest directories," along with McKenney's 1871 Nevada County directory. The present directory follows on that of 1856 by Brown & Dallison, called in the preface "imperfect in many respects; the compilation being by Dallison, a stranger, who did the work, took the responsibility, and absconded with the proceeds." Quebedeaux notes that "Nevada City in 1861 retained the pre-eminence ascribed to it in 1856 as the largest and most prosperous community in Nevada County and the most important mining city in California". It was in 1861 that the first daily newspaper in Nevada City - the Nevada Transcript - was founded by Nat P. Brown, publisher of the first directory. In Grass Valley, quartz mining was no longer considered a temporary 'experiment,' but a fact of life, and a business of ever-increasing significance. Though much less known than Brown & Dallison's Directory of 1856, this work by Hugh B. Thompson is highly important because of its historical sketches of Grass Valley and Nevada City five years later." The first assays of Comstock ore by J. J. Ott, a well-known assayer in Nevada City, are described. Though Quebedeaux indicates more than 12 copies located, Greenwood lists only three (Bancroft, Huntington, and California Historical Society), and WorldCat gives only nine locations, including those three. Cowan p.149; Graff 4132; Greenwood 1503; Howes T196; Norris 2829; Quebedeaux 34, Rocq 6101. Provenance: Descended in the family of A. Chapman, Nevada City dentist, whose advertisement appears on the rear boards (Chapman & Hatch) and is listed on p.26. Light rubbing and a small, faint stain to covers; small spot to lower margin of 1st 5 or so leaves old ink ownership signature to front flyleaf, else near fine.

Date: 1861
Country (if not USA):
State: California
City: Grass Valley
Provenance: