We are specialists in the history of California, Western Americana, and Western Exploration. We also deal in Pacific Voyages, Rare Literature, and Illustrated Books, as well as maps, prints, photographs, manuscripts and ephemera.
The Argonaut Book Shop was founded in 1941 in the middle of the financial district of San Francisco by Robert D. Haines. The Argonaut was a founding member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and is also a member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. For the last forty years the shop s proprietor has been Robert D. Haines, Jr. A number of years ago, Angela C. Haines and Aaron C. Haines joined the firm and are the third generation family members in the business. The shop is located near historic Union Square in downtown San Francisco and is open six days a week.
Edition: 3rd edition
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Trees Company Press, San Francisco
Date published: 990
ISBN-13:9780937401088ISBN:0937401080
Description: Third edition. Quarto. Softcover. 195pp. Appendices, bibliography, index. Illustrated through with photographs, maps, drawings. A guidebook and history of Native Americans in California. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund, San Francisco
Date published: 1997
Description: One of 2500 copies designed and printed at the Arion Press in San Francisco. 81pp. Gray cloth with red paper spine label. Front cover a bit soiled, else a fine copy. This book is a memorial containing edited selections from amoung more the three thousand letters and cards that the family recieved after the passing of Rhoda Goldman on Februsray 17, 1996. Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina
Date published: 2008
Description: First edition. Signed by the author. 128pp. Profusely illustrated. Stiff pictorial wrappers. New. Carol A. Jensen, author of Arcadia Publishing's Byron Hot Springs, The California Delta, and East Contra Costa County, presents here in vintage photography the best of Brentwood, California, culled from local archives and collections. Combined with Jensen's prose, these images showcase Brentwood's progression from rural beginnings as an agricultural stronghold to the modern city of houses, shops, ... Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, Charleston
Date published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780738547749ISBN:0738547743
Description: First edition. Signed by the author. 128pp. Profusely illustrated. Stiff pictorial wrappers. New. A well-illustrated history. The terminus of the first overland immigrant pack train destined for California was John Marsh's adobe in Brentwood, East Contra Costa County. Since 1841 this part of the county has been a grain and fruit basket to the world, a recreational playground for resort living, and a home for health and family life. Its wheat was exported for brewing Guinness beer, and fresh ... Read More
Description: Black & white facsimile lithograph. 17½ x 25 inches, including borders. Very fine. Facsimile of one of the earliest California views, produced from the original in the Oakland Museum. The original bird's-eye-view is very rare. The lithographic artist of this image was Charles Gildemeister, active c.1850 to 1858. Peters states, "On October 19, 1842, the surrender of Monterey was demanded by Commodore Thomas C. Jones, commander of the Pacific Fleet. The American flag flew over the plaza for ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Times-Mirror Press, Los Angeles
Date published: 1927
Description: First edition. 478pp. Index. Gilt-lettered blue cloth. Previous owner's inscription on half-title page. Minor discoloration to endpapers, else a fine copy. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln
Date published: 2011
Description: First edition. Pp. xiv, 322. Illustrated with 33 portraits, early engravings, facsimiles. 3 maps. Appendix, notes, bibliography, index. Black cloth, gilt. A very fine copy with pictorial dust jacket. The US-Mexican War and the subsequent discovery of gold in California was the beginning of clashes between Mexicans and Americans. Outlaws popped up, the most famous of whom was Joaquin Murrieta. He and his band of thugs became quite legendary. The author also discovered unrecognized cultural and ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln
Date published: 1989
Description: First edition. Edited by James E. Davis. xxxi, [3], 280pp. Illustrations, portraits, map. Extensive chapter notes, bibliography, index. Black cloth. A very fine copy with lightly chipped pictorial dust jacket (jacket slightly rubbed and with 2-inch tear to rear panel). "Dr. Parke, a surgeon, and eight other men organized the Como Pioneer Company of Como, Illinois, on April 1, 1849, and left for California on April 7. The company, traveling in three wagons, followed the California Trail and ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: McGraw-Hill, New York
Date published: 1962
Description: First edition, ninth printing. Signed by the author. 339pp. Maps, illustration, index. Cream cloth lettered and decorated in red, gold and brown. A fine copy with spine-darkened pictorial dust jacket. Story of the main covered-wagon route to California. Part of the American Trails series. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale
Date published: 1970
Description: First edition. Octavo. Illustrated throughout. A fine copy in dark blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine. A biography of Mannie Lowenstein, accounting his experiences, family and friends of early-day Los Angeles. Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Friends of The Bancroft Library, Berkeley
Date published: 1971
Description: First edition. Printed by Lawton Kennedy. Introduction and Notes by Ferol Egan. [6], 37pp. Large folding color facsimile map, notes, index. Stiff gray wrappers printed in red. Printed throughout in red and black. Spine and upper edge of rear cover faded, else a fine copy. Account of California's inland-delta country during the early 1840's. The large folding facsimile map (in color) portrays the Sacramento Valley and delineates Sutter's land as well as various Ranchos. Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: University of California Press, The Friends of the Bancroft Library, Berkeley
Description: First edition. Designed and printed by Lawton and Alfred Kennedy. With Editorial Comment by Frederick Anderson and Edgar M. Branch. [6], 58pp. Three portraits, large folding facsimile of the Daily Morning Call. Notes. Tan pictorial wrappers, minor wear along edges. A near fine copy. This is the first printing of some obscure text which preceded Roughing It. Includes a facsimile of the August 30, 1863 newspaper page which printed a letter by Mark Twain. Also, within the text, is a facsimile of ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: University of Iowa Press, Iowa City
Date published: 1990
Description: First edition. Edited by Lawrence I. Berkove. xxiv, 257pp. Portrait, photographs. Bibliography. Red cloth. A very fine copy with pictorial dust jacket. Stories and essays of this nationally recognized author and journalist, best known for his writings on Nevada's Comstock Lode. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York
Date published: 1894
Description: First edition. Introduction and notes by the Editor. Pp. xiv, 521. Frontis portrait, Notes, index. Publisher's maroon cloth, gilt. Minor rubbing to spine ends and corners, 2 small spots to fore-edge of front cover. A fine, clean and tight copy. Newton Booth (1825-1892) was the 11th Governor of California (1871-1875) and U.S. Senator (1875-1881). He was elected California State Senator during the Civil War (1863). Covers his early period as State Senator during the Civil War with much on ... Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Mythos Press, Altadena
Date published: 1997
Description: First edition. Foreword by Kevin Starr. Small octavo. xii, 122pp. Illustrated throughout with photographs, facsimiles, maps, etc. Appendix, bibliography, index. Stiff pictorial wrappers. A very fine copy, as new. The only scholarly history of this early mining settlement in Amador County. Covers every aspect of the town's history including how it got its name, the town's Chinese history, crime and justice, its viticultural renaissance, etc. The appendix includes a list of the town's earliest ... Read More
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: University of California Press, Berkeley
Date published: 1982
Description: First edition, issued by the Friends of the Bancroft Library. 4to. xv, 170pp. Frontis portrait, illustrations, 4 maps (3 folding, 2 in color); chapter notes, bibliography. Light brown stiff wrappers with pictorial endpapers. Very minor scar to head of spine. A very fine copy. Includes folding facsimile maps of the towns of San Jose and Stockton and the ranch at Campo de los Franceces. The frontispiece portrait is of Captain Weber. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Junior League, San Jose
Date published: 1975
Description: First edition. 192pp. Illustrated throughout with photographs, maps, line drawings. Index. Gray cloth. A very fine copy with pictorial dust jacket. A good history, profusely illustrated, of the historically significant structures in the Santa Clara Valley. Includes the areas of Palo Alto and Stanford, Mountain View and Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Alviso and Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Cupertino, Los Gatos and Campbell, San Jose, New Almaden, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, etc. Chapter supplements ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Ward Ritchie Press and The California Historical Society, Los Angeles
Date published: 1971
Description: Revised edition. [4], 65pp. Printed in brown and black. Title illustration, 2 photographic plates. Epilogue. Light brown cloth, printed pictorial cover label, gilt lettering. A fine copy. History of the old grist mill, built in 1816, at the Mission San Gabriel. Includes biographical information on the builder, Father Zalvidea. This edition includes a subtitle and an epilogue by Rodman Paul. [Rocq: 4799]. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: F. W. Baltes and Company, Portland, Oregon
Date published: 1900
Description: First edition. 136 pp. Frontis portrait, text illustrations by John L. Cassidy. Red cloth stamped in black. Spine faded and a few spots to cover, else a fine copy. Stories and sketches based on fact, set in California and Nevada, including San Francisco, Whiskey Flat, Mount Dana, etc. Some of the stories concern the early use of the telegraph. [Baird and Greenwood: 1114; Cowan: p.272; Wright, 1876-1900: 2610]. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Arthur H. Clark Company, Los Angeles
Date published: 1987
Description: First edition. Although not noted, one of 828 copies. 432pp. Numerous photographs, line drawings; map endpapers. Cloth, gilt. Owner's small rubber stamp on front and rear fixed endpaper, else a fine copy with pictorial dust jacket. The dramatized but true story of three families, the Lees, Weinshanks and Phelans, who all came to California during the 1850's and 1860's. Covers circus life in the gold mines, growth of southern California, etc. This work was based on the actual experiences of the ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale
Date published: 1976
Description: First edition. One of 1046 copies. Foreword by Richard Dillon. 272pp. Illustrations, portraits, index. Blue cloth, gilt. A fine copy with pictorial dust jacket (slight chipping to spine ends). George Gordon was among those who gained great wealth during the California Gold Rush in merchandising. He was a civic leader in San Francisco, land developer, and entrepreneur. Gertrude Atherton's "A Daughter of the Vine" told of a pioneer family destroyed by alcohol and torn by jealousy. This was the ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: University of California Press, Berkeley
Date published: 2006
ISBN-13:9780520243644ISBN:0520243641
Description: Octavo. Black & white photogrpahs throughout. Notes, index. Tan cloth with blue lettering on spine. A very fine copy in pictorial dust jacket. Bottom rear edge of dust jacket slightly wrinkled, else fine. A study of the Spanish-colonial architecture and landscape of Southern California. Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The University of Arizona Press, Tucson
Date published: 1986
Description: First edition. xxv, 255pp. Frontis portrait, text illustrations; appendix, bibliography and index. Cloth-backed, cloth-covered boards. Small oval bookplate. A fine copy in pictorial dust jacket. The Hungarian immigrant who became one of the Smithsonian Institution's most successful collectors of natural history specimens. While at Fort Tejon in California's Tehachapi Mountains, Xantus kept up this correspondence with the Smithsonian. He faithfully described his findings, and shipped back ... Read More
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: The Huntington Library, San Marino, California
Date published: 1961
Description: First edition. Tall octavo. Black cloth with red lettering. a very fine copy in lightly chipped and spine-darkened just jacket. Observations of Los Angeles County by a man who served 24 years on the five man Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. Read More
