The Wonders of the Yosemite Valley, and of California.

KNEELAND, Samuel.

$1,250.00

Item Number: 101328

Boston: Alexander Moore, 1871.

First edition of Kneeland’s historic guide to Yosemite; “one of the better early guide books to the Yosemite Valley” (Cowan, 333). Quarto, bound in full dark blue morocco with gilt titles and ruling to the spine, illustrated with 10 tissue-guarded mounted albumen photographs by John P. Soule. In near fine condition.

A professor of zoology and physiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Samuel Kneeland published this early guidebook to Yosemite after his visit to the region in 1870. Kneeland traveled from Cambridge to California on the Pacific Railroad and described the experience as more stimulating and restful than a vacation in Niagara, Saratoga, or any other destination popular at the time. "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).