New Mexico, Her Natural Resources and Attractions; Being a Collection of Facts, Mainly Concerning Her Geography, Climate, Population, Schools, Mines and Minerals, Agricultural...Capacities, .. Public Lands, and Spanish and Mexican Land Grants

Sante Fe: E. Brevooort, 1874. First Edition. Octavo. 176 pages. Brevoort was a speculator who in the era wrote one of the earliest locally printed histories and the definitive work of its period, based on information furnished by early settlers and the author's own residence of 24 years. He already had substantial interest in land grants he had purchased so he was the best known of the promoters of the state. His friend William F.N. Amy had written a smaller book in 1873 but allowed his name as a reference. He writes while many disparage the land for farming, the Navajo, Zuni, Paiute and even the Apache cultivate the soil. What makes this item unique is both the two book plates one of which he signs: "the author" and a previously unknown broadside entitled: TO MEN OF MONEY! To the World of Capitalists, Producers and Live Stock Men. He goes on to note the prospect of coming railroads, note in ink he offers land at 30 cents an acre. Neither of these are present in the copy at the Bancroft Library and have not been noted when copies have appeared at major auctions. An ex-library copy bound in maroon cloth, original front wrapper mounted to front board, perforated library stamp to title page. A very nice copy. [Adams, Herd 310; Howes, B 761; Rader 471].