LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56422

Rare First Edition by Siringo, A Texas Cow Boy

Currency:USD Category:Books / Antiquarian & Collectible Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Rare First Edition by Siringo, A Texas Cow Boy
<B>Charles A. Siringo: </B></I><B><I>A Texas Cow Boy,</B></I></B></I> <I>or, Fifteen Years on the Hurricane Deck of a Spanish Pony.</B></I> <I>Taken from Real Life by Chas. A. Siringo, An Old Stove Up "Cow Puncher," Who has Spent Nearly Twenty Years on the Great Western Cattle Ranges. </B></I>(Chicago, Illinois: M. Umbdenstock & Co., Publishers, 1885.) First edition of this cowboy author's first book, a narrative of life on the western ranges. Octavo (7.5" x 5.25"). xii, [13] 14-316 pages. Beautifully illustrated with two chromo-lithographic illustrations (these include the color frontispiece and the extra color illustrated title that is seldom found in first edition copies of this book, and a black and white portrait of the author in his cow boy uniform. Publisher's original reddish-brown cloth, decorated and lettered in black and gilt, and reproducing the portrait illustration of Siringo on the front cover in gilt. Attractive original patterned endpapers. Binding is a bit rubbed and scuffed with the corners slightly bumped, spine dulled and with light wear at the top and bottom. Front hinge is just starting at the top but still sound. A few scattered finger smudges or other light soiled spots to the sheets, one short tear to the bottom edge of one leaf well away from the text. Altogether, a wonderful and attractive copy of an extremely rare and fragile book. "The first-and best- cowboy autobiography" -Howes S518. "The first autobiography of a cowboy, and unquestionably one of the most important range books... The first edition is virtually unprocurable." -Reese, <I>Six-Score</B></I> 99. "The most authentic book on the Texas cowboy." -<I>Basic Texas Books</B></I> 185A. "No other cowboy ever talked about himself so much in print; few had more to talk about." -Dobie, page 119. Adams, <I>Burs under the Saddle</B></I>, 360; <I>Six-Guns and Saddle Leather</B></I>, 2032; <I>The Rampaging Herd</B></I>, 2077. Dykes, Kid 17. Graff 3804. "True to life and full of flavor it provided the spark that sent many a boy after a job of punchin' cows... exceedingly rare." -Merrill, <I>Aristocrats of the Cow Country</B></I>, page 10. "It is nearly impossible to locate a copy of the first printing." -Adams. "The work of no single writer typifies the progress of cowboy literature from the dime novel phase to a plane of character and distinction like that of Charles S. Siringo." -J. Evetts Haley. There has not been a copy of this 1885 edition at a book auction in the past twenty-five years.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Books & Catalogs (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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