The San Francisco City Directory

San Francisco: Journal of Commerce Press, 1898. 3rd Printing. Hardcover. Near fine. Duodecimo size, 139 pp. Charles Proctor Kimball (1821-1894) is now mostly remembered for this, the first "real" San Francisco directory. Like many, he came to California in July 1849 but failed in his attempts at gold mining. Beginning as a "crier" for the "Daily Journal of Commerce", Kimball eventually moved goods and merchandise from SF to Sacramento and Marysville. Later he went into publishing and opened a store which carried books and stationery.

Later in life he would pursue other mercantile interests, but when asked by the Society of California Pioneers (truncated) in 1891 to write his autobiography, he wrote only a single page with "his only reflection...on that one event from his life that he personally felt was of some historical import: his involvement with Washington Bartlett in 1850 and the first City Directory of San Francisco" (n.b., from an article by Hudson Bell published June 28, 2018 on the web site of Fern Hill Tours).

Per Howes, the "[f]irst real directory of this city, preceded only by two business directories." Per another bookseller, only three copies of the first (1850) printing are known; the second printing has "Omitted Names" at the rear but without the two "Donohoes", the third printing has the two "Donohoes".

This the second reprint, published ca. 1897-1898. Distinguishable from the first reprint (of ca. the late 1860s) by two Donahoes being included in the list of "Omitted Names" at the rear.

___DESCRIPTION: Full pebbled aubergine cloth, blind-debossed ruled borders on both boards, gilt lettering on the front, publisher's ads on both pastedowns (the same ad repeated), vintage name (indecipherable) at the top of the title page; binding duodecimo size (5 7/8" by 4 1/4"), pagination: [1-5] 6-139.

___CONDITION: Near fine, the boards clean, straight corners with minimal rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and the sole prior owner marking we see the name at the top of the title page; the front board somewhat bowed, the spine sunned, and light wear at the tail of the spine.

___CITATIONS: Rocq, no. 7980; Wright-Howes no. K 134.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: 18121213)