Beschreibung:

Title: History of the Big Bonanza: An Authentic Account of the Discovery, History, and Working of the World Renowned Comstock Silver Lode of Nevada including the Present Condition of the Various Mines Situated thereon; Sketches of the Most Prominent Men Interested in Them; Incidents and Adventures Connected with Mining, the Indians and the Country; Amusing Stories, Experiences, Anecdotes, etc., etc., and a Full Exposition of the Production of Pure Silver. "Introductory" by Mark Twain. Author: [Wright, William] De Quille, Dan, pseud. Place: Hartford, Conn. Publisher: American Publishing Company Date: 1876 Description: 569 pp. Double frontispiece and numerous wood-engraved plates from photographs by John S. Noe, E. Hurd & others. (8vo), original gray cloth with elaborate gilt spine and cover titles, decorations in black. First Edition. Wright served as an editor on the renowned Territorial Enterprise from 1862 until its suspension in 1893. Paher notes that "he probably knew more about Virginia City society and its residents and mines than anyone else. He watched his town become the mining and cultural capital of the inland west in the early 1870's and stayed on to witness its decline after 1878" and goes on to call the work "the greatest of all Comstock books." Howes says the book the "most interesting chronicle of `flush times' in Nevada following the `silver strike'...." This copy with an interesting letter laid in, to William Wright from M.J. Henley, Virginia City agent for the Phoenix Insurance Co. and Home Insurance Co., on his business letterhead. The original envelope is present, addressed to "Dan De Quille" William Wright Esq. of the Territorial Enterprise, Virginia City, Nevada, and Henly begins the letter "Dear Dan, Allow me the privilege of an old friend to drop you a few words of comfort & cheer... Here, among the mountainous wilds of Nevada, you have friends whose name is legion... believing that you will make your mark, not twain, for to you will be given all the glory, spur you on to pen deeds of description & old time Washoe Legend that will place your name in the front rank of authors on the merits, peculiarities & eccentricities of our beloved rugged & excitable old Sagebrush land...." Howes W710; Paher 2220. Private library bookplate of Amy Fay Hendryx Lot Amendments Condition: Light soiling, spine ends frayed, light edge wear, corners bumped; very good. Item number: 222209