Johnson, John Everett (Translator); Lewis, Oscar (Bibliographical Note); McKay, Donald (Illustrator, Spanish language volume)

Reglamento Para el Gobierno de la Provincia de Californias, Aprobado por S.M. en Real Orden de 24 Octobre de 1781 [with] Regulations for Governing the Province of the Californias approved by His Majesty by Royal Order, dated October 24, 1781 (Two Volumes)

San Francisco: The Grabhorn Press, 1929. McKay, Donald. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Two volumes (complete) in publisher's slipcase, octavo size, 122 pp. Near Fine. Item #23013011

Two volumes with slipcase, each volume one of 300 copies printed. Alta California continued to be governed under this Reglamento, which embodied for the first time laws governing upper California, until the American occupation; it was in use until 1850. The very first printing of the Regulations was in Mexico in 1781; the first reprint was in 1874, in San Francisco. Most of that edition was destroyed by fire, and is now almost as rare as the original; per Wright-Howes, of the 68 copies printed only six remained.

This edition, providing the original text in Spanish with an English translation by John Everett Johnson was published by the Grabhorn Press in May and June of 1929, with the two volumes being sold as a unit in a limited edition of 300 copies (n.b., above information from the listings in Zamorano and Wright-Howes).

___DESCRIPTION: Volumes bound to match in tan paper over boards, brown lettering on the spines, the Spanish language volume has a title page in black and sepia and sixteen initials in sepia, an illustration on the title page and illustration below the caption title by Donald McKay; the title page for the English translation has an ornamental border; Caslon monotype, handset, printed on Unbleached Arnold, octavo sized (approximately 9.25" tall), pagination: Volume I. (Spanish language), (i-ii), (1)-55, blank (56), Bibliographical Note by Oscar Lewis (57-60), colophon (61); Volume II. (English translation), (i-ii), (1)-55, blank (56), colophon (57). Both volumes one of 300 printed, Volume I. (Spanish) is unnumbered (apparently issued that way), Volume II. (English) is no. 13. The slipcase covered in a light rust-coloured cloth.

___CONDITION: Both volumes near fine and could likely be deemed fine; the paper over the boards clean (other than a few very light spots on the Spanish volume) and without wear, perfectly straight corners with no rubbing, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges, the interiors are clean and bright with many of the gatherings in the Spanish volume unopened, and the set is entirely free of prior owner markings; some darkening to the spines and some light specks of foxing (mostly along the bottom margins), else fine. The slipcase is also near fine, strong and sturdy, with some light spots of soil on one side and a bit of minor edgewear.

___CITATION: Grabhorn Press Bibliography, nos. 119 and 120; Zamorano 80/62; Wright-Howes C60.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please contact us for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Price: $200.00