[Facsimile] Hand-Book to Kansas Territory and the Rocky Mountain Gold Region; Accompanied by Reliable Maps and a Preliminary Treatise on the Pre-Emption Laws of the United States

Item Details

[Facsimile] Hand-Book to Kansas Territory and the Rocky Mountain Gold Region; Accompanied by Reliable Maps and a Preliminary Treatise on the Pre-Emption Laws of the United States, James Redpath and Richard J. Hinton, J.H. Colton, New York 1859 but 1954. 2 preliminary leaves, [iii]-vi, [7]-177, [5] pages 3 maps on 2 folded leaves (inserted).

Blind embossed brown boards with title in gilt on front. Slight discoloration to front board. Very light wear. With two large folding maps in black & white. Light toning to bottom edge. Issued in slipcase with title: 1859 Pike's Peak guide. Very good condition.

Nice copy of the wonderful Nolie Mumey facsimile of Redpath and Hinton's famous and rare "Hand-Book to Kansas Territory and the Rocky Mountain Gold Region" as published in 1859. As original copies are often priced at 5-figures at auction, this is a nice alternative. Mumey spared no expense, from the beautiful, embossed boards to more than decent re-prints of the large folding maps as found in the original edition.  The three maps are titled "Kansas and Nebraska" and "Nebraska and Kanzas Showing Pikes Peak and the Gold Region." and "Military Map of Parts of Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota by Lieut. G.K. Warren from Explorations made by him in 1855-57." 

The text includes detailed descriptions of the various routes west, information on Native Indian populations, plus up-to-date information on the gold discoveries in the Rockies. Chapter II titled "How to Get, and What to Take, to Kansas" gives full advice on outfitting a trip to the gold fields. A must have for anyone planning to try their luck in the gold fields of Colorado.

Tipped in preface includes short introduction by Mumey plus a list of 26 short notes by historian LeRoy Hafen. 

Howes R120, Wagner-Camp 343.

Nolie Mumey (1891–1984) graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1916. He earned an MS degree at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA and MA from the University of Denver. He would practice as a surgeon amongst all his other interests.  A true Renaissance man, Mumey was also a historian, author, publisher, poet, silversmith, aviator, carpenter, woodcarver, artist, and inventor. He wrote numerous books and published scores of facsimile editions on both medical and Western history, especially on his beloved Colorado.