The Splendid Idle Forties. Stories of Old California - Gertrude Atherton, Harrison Fisher (illustrator) 1902 - The Macmillan Company, New York - First Edition ‘Perhaps the best known collection of stories of that romantic period of California history when the incoming Americans were first intermingling with the Californians of rancho and presidio...’ – The Zamorano 80: A Selection of Distinguished California Books Made by Members of the Zamorano Club.

A fine bright example, of this collection of short stories, illustrated with eight plates by Harrison Fisher.

‘The finest stories ever written about early California’ – Phil Townsend Hanna.

The stories are:
The Pearls of Loreto; The Ears of Twenty Americans; The Washtub Mail; The Conquest of Dona Jacoba; A Ramble with Eulogia; The Isle of Skulls; The Head of a Priest; La Perdida; Lukari's Story; Natalie Ivanhoff: A Memory of Fort Ross; The Vengeance of Padre Arroyo; The Bells of San Gabriel; and When the Devil was Well.
  Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton (1857-1948) was an American writer. Her husband discouraged her writing and in 1882 when she published her first novel the family was scandalised. Atherton is best remembered for her California series of novels and short stories. Her stories feature strong heroines who pursue independent careers.

Reference: Zamorano Eighty, 1. Cowan 23.


Octavo (book size 20.1x13.8cm), pp. vii [3] 389 [1]. In publisher’s scarlet ribbed cloth, spine with black and gilt decoration and lettering, front board with blue, black, white and gilt vignette of houses as well as decoration and lettering, top edge trimmed others untrimmed.
  Condition: Fine, with the exception of a hint of rubbing to spine and corners.   Ref: 110113   Price: HK$ 3,500