The California and Oregon Trail

This is an antique copy of "The California and Oregon Trail" - Being Sketches of Prairie and Rocky Mountain Life by FRANCIS PARKMAN. Circa 1890's (there is no date of publication stated); William L. Allison Company; New York. Nicely bound in three-quarter blue leather with marbled covers, gilt lettering and decorations on the spine, and gilt top page edges. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents.

From the introductory note: "The journey which the following narrative describes was undertaken on the writer's part with a view of studying the manners and character of Indians in their primitive state. Although, in the chapters which relate to them, he has only attempted to sketch those features of their wild and picturesque life which fell, in the present instance, under his own eye, yet in doing so he has constantly aimed to leave an impression of their character correct as far as it goes. In justifying his claim to accuracy on this point, it is hardly necessary to advert to the representations given by poets and novelists, which, for the most part, are mere creations of fancy. The Indian is certainly entitled to a high rank among savages, but his good qualities are not those of an Uncas or an Outalissi."

Condition:
Clean covers and spine. Bright gilt lettering on the spine. There is a tiny tear to the leather to the bottom-left corner tip of the back cover. Light edge wear at the bottom edge of the boards. There is a crack at the front hinge between pages 14 & 15 resulting in the front cover being a bit shaky. Bright gilt top page edges. The text pages are lightly age-toned and clean with only a light stain/smudge on page 205. The front pastedown, front end paper, title page, and introductory page each have the name "Gustave" stamped in ink. Overall the book is in Very Good- condition.