Dana, Richard H.:

$1,100 · Offered by William Reese Company

TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST. A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF LIFE AT SEA. The second issue of the first edition, without the dot over the "i" on the copyright page, and with the broken type heading on page 9. A classic of American literature and youthful adventure, but of particular interest to Western Americana because of Dana's visit to California in 1835 and 1836, and his view of the cattle industry there. "This classic of American literature contains the best account of the early hide trade of California. The author's ship stayed on the coast for over a year in 1835 and 1836, for the purpose of buying hides" - Reese. Though Dana did not visit Hawaii, a ten-page section describing his time in San Diego relates an encounter with "a considerable group of native Hawaiian expatriates...whom he discusses sympathetically" (Forbes). "A classic account of the life and adventures of an ordinary seaman in the American merchant service" - Hill. "Our only trustworthy account [of California] before the 1849 gold rush" - GROLIER AMERICAN HUNDRED.

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