27 Years a Mavrick or Life on a Texas Range
Chicago: Donohue & Henneberry, [1893].
Rare true first edition, preceding the reprint titled "Cow-Boy Life in Texas, or, 27 Years a Mavrick...". 7.75" x 5.5", pp 6 (including an introduction by I.F. Mather and Preface by James, neither of which appear in subsequent editions), 9-213, with photographic frontispiece and one photographic plate (both portraits of the author, also omitted in subsequent printings), and 24 full-page line drawings. An unrestored copy bound in original blue cloth stamped in gilt with image of a hand pointing at a bull’s head, with floral-patterned endpapers. Some staining to boards, owner's signature on front pastedown, pages tanned and somewhat brittle, title page detached and laid in, 8 leaves chipped at upper corner; good. Basic Texas Books 104: "Written by a cowboy turned preacher, this is a valuable account of the life of the Texas cowhand. James was born on his father’s ranch in Tarrant County near Fort Worth.... He worked as a cowhand from childhood until 1885 when he was converted, after which, he says ‘I went out among the cattlemen and worked as a missionary. Frank Dobie said James was 'a genuine cowboy who became a genuine preacher and wrote a book of vitality. This is the best of several reminiscences by cowboy preachers.'...The narrative is unusual because of James' deliberate avoidance of the sensational, which he so abhorred in pulp fiction. He gives straightforward descriptions of the cowboy and of ranch life." Herd 1159 (mistaking this edition for the reprint), Graff 2194; Howes J-51.
Item #22480
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