The Mountains Of California Muir, John California

The first issue, with the numeral "1" on the first page of the text. Muir's first book consists of fifteen previously published articles, some dating from as early as 1875, which aside from some very brief detours to the Coast Range and the southern San Gabriels, concern the flora, fauna, and geology of the Sierra Nevada. As recorded here, Muir (1883-1914) theorized that the granite face of the Sierra had been shaped and scoured by glaciers, an idea that was rejected and even mocked by Josiah Whitney and other professional geologists of Muir's day. Time vindicated Muir, as it has his book, The Mountains of California remains California's most popular work of natural history. Octavo: 381 p. with a frontispiece lithograph from a drawing by J. Folles, 50 relief halftone illustrations, and 2 maps. Original tan cloth binding, with decorative gilt and green stamping. The spine is darkened, as is often the case; else an especially crisp example. Kimes 189; The Zamorano Eighty 56.