SPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

DISBOUND COPY, an unnumbered one of fourteen copies published for the author. Folio 12 ¼" x 16 1/4". This disbound copy is laid into the original pictorial cloth over board covers lacking spine with tape over spine and adjacent board edges. The boards are severely darkened and have some wrinkles to the cloth. Fifty-five numbered pages [blank, half-title, verso blank, blank, verso frontispiece photograph, title, verso blank, Contents (verso continuation p. vi), List of Illustrations, verso blank, Introductory (pps 1-4), 12 chapters beginning on p. 5). Three blank pages at end. 17 "photo-mechanical" illustrations including Frontispiece. Tissue guards. Laid in are FACSIMILIES of three letters (1 p., 3pp., 2pp.) from Williamson to publisher Douglas dated in January, 1881. The originals are in the sole publisher's copy I have for sale. The content of the letters appears to state that 14 copies were printed for the author and that one is missing. This reference to 14 copies suggests to your bookseller that only 14 copies were printed for the author. But we cannot confirm this beyond the letter. The third letter indicates that Williamson found it in a club (Caledonian Club) to which he had donated (or sold it) and therefore sent an apology to Douglas asking for his forgiveness. It seems that Williamson was wrongly ascribing the missing copy to Douglas. In fact, this copy is the Caledonian Club copy with a small bookplate attached to the inside of the front cover, "Caledonian United Service Club" and indicating is was shelved in the "Atlas Rack." In 1880s the Scottish author realized his hunting lease in the Scottish Highlands was expiring. An acquaintance in the United States suggested a hunting trip in the Colorado mountains. Williamson accepted and shipped a minimum of his hunting gear, including a "500 Express" rifle, to the states as well as his "12 x 10 apparatus" (camera). From Denver City via railway and horses ("Bronkos") they began their hunt in "Hall's Gulch," eventually making their way toward the Mount of the Holy Cross. The plates are exquisite. A few are of trophies of wapiti on mounts, and various scenes. Most impressive are two photos representing their success, one of a massive Waptiti and the other a huge grizzly bear. I find little information on Williamson, but David Douglas was a noted publisher for many years in Edinburgh. As noted above, this copy is completely disbound and laid into the covers which require restoration. The purchaser of this copy, or any other interested party, should know that your bookseller is also offering the single publisher's copy for sale. It is also disbound. Inquire for particulars. The text pages and plates of this publisher's copy are clean with some edge chipping to several leaves. These chips are not severe. The tissue guards are chipped and have some foxing. The ffep and the half-title are discolored near the binding as they must have been stuck together at one time and then separated resulting in loss to the binding edge of the half-title (fortunately not to the leading edge). Again, conservation is warranted. On the half-title in ink pen is a statement contemporary to the year of publications, "The Caledonian United Service Club / Presented by the Author." A rare copy of a remarkable hunting adventure in Colorado. We have located three of the presumably 14 copies published. They are at Harvard University, The Boston Public Library, and the Getty archive. This copy is truly worthy of the investment of a conservation restoration.…