1855 – Annals of San Francisco, Soule | First Edition, Illustrated California History

First published in 1855, The Annals of San Francisco is oft considered the most important book on the history of the city of San Francisco, California. It was written by three collective authors, Soule, Gihon, and Nisbet, and focuses on the events that led to the boom of the city, most importantly the Gold Rush just a few years prior. ‘Annals’ is divided into three major sections: a summary of Spanish California, annals of the city, and topographical descriptions of utilities and businesses.  There is also information on settlers’ interactions with natives.

This book was placed on the Zamorano Eighty in 1945, signifying it as one of the most significant early volumes published on the history of California.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The annals of San Francisco; containing a summary of the history of the first discovery, settlement, progress, and present condition of California
• Author(s): Frank Soule; John Gihon; James Nisbet
• Publisher: New York: D. Appleton
• Edition: First edition, 1855
• Binding: Leather
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  9.5in x 6.25in (24cm x 16cm)
• Collation: 824 pp
• Illustrations: 150 illustrations and maps throughout
• Contents Include:
  • Summary of Spanish California
  • Annals of San Francisco’s Growth
  • Descriptions of Public and Private Institutions
• Reference(s): Zamorano 80, no. 70

Condition:

Near Fine! Modern, professional leather that makes a beautiful display. Pages and illustrations remain clean.

Why Collect This?

• First edition of a foundational history of San Francisco
• Contains 150 period illustrations and maps
• Valuable for collectors of Western Americana

Item Number: #29844