Heading: (California - San Francisco)
Author:
Title: The Examiner, San Francisco, 1893. The Columbian World's Fair Special Edition
Place Published: San Francisco
Publisher:
Date Published: 1893
Description:

Approximately [92] pp. With text illustrations throughout, illustrated advertisements, and full page map of California. (Folio) 54x43 cm (21x16½"), cloth-backed boards with original wrappers pasted on.

Extremely rare special issue of the San Francisco Examiner produced for distribution at The World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. The fair was held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492. The Exposition was an influential social and cultural event, and had a profound effect on architecture, sanitation, the arts, Chicago's self-image, and American industrial optimism. The volume is wonderfully and profusely illustrated throughout, primarily consisting of numerous articles about California and the West, including several with "Southern Pacific Company" at head of title. An informative section on the Examiner calls itself 'the Greatest paper ever issued in the world." Other sections include pieces on California mining, railroads, and irrigation. Many California authors are represented, including Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Joaquin Miller, and a page featuring "Bret Harte's first poem." Among the many notable illustrations is a bird's-eye view of San Francisco, looking west, in 1893, as well as a full page California map. There is a lengthy section comprising an alphabetical listing of California cities and counties, with an illustration and description for each. A truly rare piece of Californiana, with no previous auction records located, and only one holding at OCLC, being Yale University.

Fair amount of wear, soiling, and staining to binding; interior separated from binding and laid in, with first and last leaf detached but present, many other leaves loose, general toning and brittleness to pages with occasional creasing, closed tears to edges, a few tape repairs, etc., larger closed tear to final leaf; overall about good.