EARLY MATURING - MARKET TOPPERS [cover title]

NP [Stamford, (Jones Co.) Texas]: np [S.M.S. Ranch], 1917. Expanded edition (originally published in 1916). Oblong 8vo., color illustrated paperwraps, rubbed and creased, spine and rear wrapper repaired with cello tape. 15 x 23 cm. A-J (introductory text on the photographs, by Frank S. Hastings, Manager of the S.M.S. Ranch), and 157 pp., including over 100 pages of captioned photo illustrations, some by Erwin E. Smith, printed on glossy paper. Front wrapper shows a group of "S.M.S. Standard Calves, Finished in the Corn Belt," rear wrapper depicts the "S.M.S. Pasture," with cattle grazing, and three men on horseback in the foreground. Previous owner's (truncated) bookplate laid down inside front wrapper, and his signature on first introductory page. A few ink notes on the final blank page. A good copy overall. OCLC lists seven copies: Univ. of California- Berkeley, Texas A&M, Texas Tech., Univ. of Texas- Austin, Univ. of Texas- El Paso, Univ. of Texas-Austin-Harry Ransom, Virginia Tech. The S.M.S. Ranch was founded by Swen Magnus Swenson (1816-1896), a Swedish immigrant who moved to Texas in 1838. He was first involved in mercantile enterprises in Columbia, LaGrange, and Austin. He is best known in Texas as the founder of the S.M.S. Ranches near Stamford, Throckmorton, Tongue River, and Flattop, according to his brief biography in the Handbook of Texas (Austin, TX: 1986, vol. 2, pp.697-8). The ranches stretched over a vast section of Texas, occupying parts of twelve counties in West Texas. (Inventory #: 64988)