The Wonders of Yosemite Valley

Boston: Alexander Moore, 1871. First Edition. 4to. 71 pp. Half-title. 10 mounted albumen photographs attributed to John Payson Soule with red captions, tissue guards; 3 wood-engravings in text. The attribution to Soule now appears to be in question, with some suggesting the photographer was either Edward Muybridge or Martin Mason Hazeltine. Original mulberry cloth with front cover & spine decorated in black & gilt, rear cover with same design in blind, AEG. Minor wear to extremities, a near fine copy and the nicest we have seen. "Kneeland, a professor of zoology and physiology and secretary of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from its founding in 1865 until 1878, produced one of the better guide books to the Yosemite region. It is an especially attractive book due to the inclusion of an excellent series of mounted photographic images. The book is based on the author's first visit to Yosemite Valley in July 1870. In addition to serving as a guide book, it forms a narrative of his trip from Boston to Yosemite and return. Kneeland made every effort to obtain current and accurate information and each of the later editions of the guide incorporates new material." - Currey & Kruska 225. "Kneeland took pains to get reliable information and present it with more than ordinary care. The photographic illustrations are excellent and include some unusual views" - Farquhar 10a. (Cowan II pg. 333; Rocq 5217).