A Vulcan Among the Argonauts: Being Vivid Excerpts From Those Most Original & Amusing Memoirs of John Carr, Blacksmith (Signed by the Editor)
San Francisco: George Fields, 1936.
Illustrated by "hans" Limited Edition. Hardcover.
Signed by Robin Lampson on first blank. 500 Copies Designed
and Hand Printed by Wilder Bentley & His Wife Ellen, Apprentice, The Archetype Press, Berkeley, July, 1936. Edited with a Preface & postscript by Robin Lampson.
An edited version of John Carr's work Pioneer Days in California, first published in 1891. Carr was 22 in 1850 when he joined in the rush of young men headed to California to find gold. This work tells the story of their trek and of their early days as settlers in the region. Carr came for gold but became a blacksmith and settled in Humboldt and Trinity counties. Carr’s wife followed him in 1852.
The last chapter of Pioneer Days gives thumbnail biographies of pioneers of Humboldt and Trinity Counties, among these is John Carr’s statement about himself: “Carr, John – A native of Ireland; came to the United States when a child with his parents; came to California across the plains from Peoria, Ill. Occupation, a blacksmith. Was one of the first settlers of Trinity County. Came to Humboldt County in 1866. Served two terms as a member of the City Council, one term as President of the Board. In 1880 he went to Tombstone, Arizona, and was twice elected Mayor of that city [Carr was lured by the promise of gold – and returned to California in 1884]; he is the author of Pioneer Days in California. Is now the Police Judge of the City of Eureka."
Chapters in this work:
- From Peoria to Fort Leavenworth
- To Fort Laramie
- To Salt Lake City
- To Hangtown, California
- Description of Hangtown
- Mining Experiences
- Departure for Sacramento
- Drifting About
- Off for Trinidad and Fold Bluff
- Wanderings Between Trinidad and Weaverville
- First Experiences at Weaverville
- High Prices, Lynching, and Other Incidents
- A Sensational Lynching and Rescue
- Early Development in Trinity County
- Mail Matters
6-3/8 x 8-3/4", beige linen with illustration of blacksmith both boards, head-piece illustrations each chapter.
Uncut, clean, tight, bright, very fine, fragments of original onionskin wrapper laid in.
Price: $50.00