SALT DESERT TRAILS. A HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS CUTOFF & OTHER EARLY TRAILS WHICH CROSSED THE GREAT SALT DESERT SEEKING A SHORTER ROAD TO CALIFORNIA

Salt Lake City: Western Printing Company, 1930., 1930. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Author's first book. Signed by the author on the front preliminary sheet. Decorated green fabricoid, maps on endpapers, 178 [5] pp., preface, acknowledgments, illustrated, plates, portraits, index. A great work on the different explorers and groups that crossed the Salt Flats. Includes accounts on Jedediah Smith, Bartleson, Fremont, Clyman, the ill-fated Donner Party, Stansbury and early twentieth century motor travel. "Kelly was a 20th century historian who took the time to check the 19th century accounts against the trails and locations. Valuable contribution to the history of the trail and is essential to both student and collector. The Smith, Hastings, Bartleson, Fremont, Russell, Harlan and Donner overland parties receive careful factual documentation in this important study."---Peter Decker. Fine, bright copy.