REMINISCENCES OF A RANGER or, Early Times in Southern California

Los Angeles: Yarnell, Caystile and Mathes, 1881. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. Major Bell (1830-1918) was an incendiary attorney who was fond of the seamier side of life. This true account of his service with the Los Angeles Rangers, a sort of border police, rivals any dime-store western. The first book printed and bound in Los Angeles, it is particularly scarce because the type from the first half of the book was reportedly cannibalized for use in the second. Octavo: 457 pp. Bound in a variety of colored cloths (no priority), this is the green issue. Small patch of offsetting to p.50-1. The hinges have been neatly mended. Some general edgewear (truncated) to the boards; else about very good. The Zamorano Eighty 5. (Inventory #: 78415)