David Spilman Fine Books

The Mormons in California; [Foreword by Paul Bailey] [Early California Travels Series XIX]

Glover, William

Los Angeles: Glen Dawson [Paul Bailey, Printer], 1954. Fine. First Edition. SIGNED by Bailey on Limitation page, limited to 197 copies [7.5x5in]; x, 13-40 pp., [1] limitation, selective bibliography; Maroon cloth covers with gilt lettering on spine and blind stamp illustration of sailing ship on front, red and black ink title page, all edges trimmed; Negligible shelf wear, signed by Paul Bailey. [Rudkin p.168]. Item #14230

This book tells the story of the first Mormon mission to California in 1846, as narrated by Glover in 1884 (part of his unpublished memoirs), and led by Samuel Brannan, an Elder in the New York Mormon mission. Brigham Young was calling all Mormons to travel to the new Zion, in Utah, and directed Brannan to secure a ship, the 'Brooklyn' to sail to San Francisco to start the Mormon colony in the Bay area and then link up with the Salt Lake Valley colony. Glover tells of the trials and suffering of the 170 immigrants on the long sea voyage by way of Cape Horn and Hawaii. During the voyage the men were training in small arms and military tactics, as a lead contingent of the Mormon Battalion, to assist the United States in securing California in the war with Mexico. When they arrived in San Francisco, Montgomery, in command of the 'Portsmouth', had already secured San Francisco. The immigrants then began to work to generate funds for a San Joaquin Valley Mormon Colony. Brannan then traveled overland to Salt Lake Valley to meet with Young and provide a guide for others to California. Brigham Young decided that Salt Lake Valley was to be the home for the Mormons and not California. A disappointed Brannan then returned to California and left the church to pursue other interests.

William Glover (1813-1892) was born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States with his parents settling in Pennsylvania. He, with his first wife, were one of the earliest converts to the Mormon Church. After the sea voyage and time in California, Glover joined others as part of the Thomas Rhoades company to travel to Salt Lake Valley in mid-1849. He settled in Salt Lake Valley, with his large family, became an elder in the Mormon church, and was later assigned to the British Mission (1853-1855) to bring over 500 Mormon British converts to Salt Lake Valley. In March, 1855, the ship 'Juventa' left Liverpool for Philadelphia and then overland travel to Salt Lake Valley. Glover lived the rest of his life in Farmington, Utah raising 27 children from three wives.

Samuel Brannan (1819-1889) was a printer, publisher, Elder in the Mormon church, and successful California merchant and businessman in the 1850's. He was a major part of the early days of San Francisco and California as a true adventurer, racketeer, entrepreneur, scoundrel and founder of Calistoga, the first spa resort in Northern California. He was also the founder of the first newspaper in San Francisco, the 'Californian Star' and the 'Alta-Californian'. After a leading the contingent of Mormon immigrants to California, he had a falling out with the Mormon church and became a wealthy merchant, businessman, and major property owner of San Francisco and Sacramento . During the early days of the gold rush, he helped to organize the Vigilantes committees to restore law and order in San Francisco and was elected as Alcalde (Mayor & Justice). In later years, he lost most of his properties and money in speculation and United States and Mexican government actions. He died and was buried in San Diego.

Glen Dawson (1912-2016) was an American rock climber, mountaineer, antiquarian bookseller, publisher and environmentalist. In his early years, he was an accomplished rock climber and mountaineer, with a number of first accents, and involved with the Sierra Club. Dawson had a long career succeeding his father Ernest as proprietor of Dawson's Book Shop in Los Angeles, an antiquarian bookstore in business since 1905. His brother Muir also participated in the business. He has also published 370 collectible books (wikipedia).

The 50 volume Early California Travels Series, 1951 to 1961, was published by Glen Dawson, a Los Angeles bookseller and publisher. The series was designed and printed by a number of Southern California printers, such as, Cheney, Paul Bailey, Cole-Holmquist, Ward Ritchie, Plantin, Muir Dawson, Serpent, and others. The various editors were well known western scholars, authors, and historians, such as, Thomas, Robinson, Farquhar, Kemble, Wagner, and others. These volumes are fine press issues in small format, limited, and a number of them signed.

Price: $200.00