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Author: Hutchings, J. M.
Title: In the Heart of the Sierras: The Yo Semite Valley, both Historical and Descriptive: And Scenes by the Way. Big Tree Groves. The High Sierra, with its Magnificent Scenery, Ancient and Modern Glaciers, and other Objects of Interest; with Tables of Distances and Altitudes, Maps, etc.
Place Published: Yo Semite Valley & Oakland, CA
Publisher:The Old Cabin & Pacific Press Publishing House
Date Published: 1886
Description: [4], xii, 13-496 pp. Illustrated with 28 inserted plates, including: frontispiece photo-type by Gutekunst, portrait of Hutchings from a photograph by Houseworth, 20 phototypes by Britton & Rey from photographs by Isaiah Taber, George Fiske and others, 1 artotype by E. Bierstadt, 1 heliotype by Heliotype Ptg. Co., 1 red plate of a snow plant; and 3 wood-engraved plates; 2 maps (1 folding lithograph and 1 full-page); plus numerous wood engravings and photos within the text. (8vo) original decorative olive green cloth, stamped and lettered in gilt, floral-patterned endpapers. First Edition, First Printing.Accepted first issue, matching all the required points, including: frontispiece phototype by Gutekunst depicting no one seated behind the horse and a cabin without a lean-to; portrait of Hutchings is a "photo-typo" by Britton & Rey; the plate of Hutchings' Old Cabin is reproduced by the Heliotype Ptg. Co. of Boston; this copy contains one artotype printed by E. Bierstadt (most copies of the first edition thus, not having the one at p. [470], no priority established). The folding lithograph map is printed by the Heliotype Printing Co. Boston ("Apparently few printed..." Currey & Kruska). The author, J.M. Hutchings (1820-1902), a pioneer of the tourist industry in Yosemite and one of the first to visit there in winter, was Guardian to the Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove between 1880 and 1884. According to Farquhar, In the Heart of the Sierras was Hutchings' crown publishing achievement and "...contains a great deal more...than an account of Hutchings' personal experiences; it covers more fully than any other work of its day every aspect of Yosemite Valley and the Big Trees that could be considered of general interest to visitors." Cowan (I), p. 117; (II), pp. 299-300; Currey & Kruska 175; Farquhar 18a; Rocq 5206.

Minimal binding wear, hinges starting, some gentle toning, occasional finger soiling, owner signature front flyleaf; near fine.