New York: Vantage, 1997. dj. Hardcover first edition - James H. Carson was a Virginia native who came to California with his army regiment, which landed at Monterey just after the Mexican War ended in 1847. While on furlough from his military duties in 1848, he panned the tributaries of the Stanislaus River; he struck it rich at what became known as Carson's Creek. In 1850 he acted as a guide to Lt George Derby on the first topographical survey of the Tulare (San Joaquin) Valley. In early 1852, the Stockton newspaper The San Joaquin Republican printed thirty-three articles written by Carson from his sickbed describing humorous anecdotes from his mining experiences. His letters were collected later that year as 'Early Recollections of the California Mines.' He died in 1853, just 32 years old. This edition - the third of his letters - is the most comprehensive; it contains all of Carson's known works, including articles not previously published in book form. Introduction and notes by Doris Shaw Castro. Illustrated, index. 248 pp. ISBN: 0-533-121930.

Chicago: Story Press, (1982.). SIGNED first edition - Very uncommon early collection of this California author's short stories - it includes both his highly praised and frequently anthologized short story 'Sanchez' in which the realism of the description of depressed downtown Stockton ( a description unfortunately still accurate many years later) and the small town in the Sierras is effectively combined with his deceptive simplicity of language, and other stories from his earlier Gusto Press collection as well as several new stories. Cover praise from Erskine Caldwell who calls this 'one of the outstanding books of fiction of this year' and cites the story 'The Dead Man' - in which a young ranch boy struggles to understand the accidental death of a farmhand, his friend - as one of the 'most memorable stories in fiction.' An attractive publication, a slim book, illustrated by Inara Cedrins. SIGNED on the half title page. 152 pp. ISBN: 0-931704-081.

Chicago: Story Press, (1982.). SIGNED first edition - Uncommon early collection of this California author's short stories - it includes both his highly praised and frequently anthologized short story 'Sanchez' in which the realism of the description of depressed downtown Stockton ( a description unfortunately still accurate many years later) and the small town in the Sierras is effectively combined with his deceptive simplicity of language, and other stories from his earlier Gusto Press collection as well as several new stories. Cover praise from Erskine Caldwell who calls this 'one of the outstanding books of fiction of this year' and cites the story 'The Dead Man' - in which a young ranch boy struggles to understand the accidental death of a farmhand, his friend - as one of the 'most memorable stories in fiction.' An attractive publication, a slim book, illustrated by Inara Cedrins. SIGNED by the author. 152 pp. ISBN: 0-931704-081.

Chicago: Story Press, (1982.). First edition - Very uncommon early collection of this California author's short stories - it includes both his highly praised and frequently anthologized short story 'Sanchez' in which the realism of the description of depressed downtown Stockton ( a description unfortunately still accurate many years later) and the small town in the Sierras is effectively combined with his deceptive simplicity of language, and other stories from his earlier Gusto Press collection as well as several new stories. Cover praise from Erskine Caldwell who calls this 'one of the outstanding books of fiction of this year' and cites the story 'The Dead Man' - in which a young ranch boy struggles to understand the accidental death of a farmhand, his friend - as one of the 'most memorable stories in fiction.' An attractive publication, a slim book, illustrated by Inara Cedrins. ISBN: 0-931704-081.

Fresno, CA: Panorama West Publishing, (1988.) dj. SIGNED hardcover first edition - From the dust jacket : "The book is a revealing portrait of the Chinese emigres of western America, a people laughing, crying, fighting and loving in the Chinatown community of Stockton, California, the gateway to the Mother Lode and the San Joaquin Valley. Using a historical perspective, the author reviews why the Chinese left their native land and looks at the City of Stockton in which the Chinese settled. Being the third stop on the way to the gold fields, the development of a Chinese community within its township was a significant event. The author also discusses social and economic issues and the role of Chinese women and marriage in the culturally changing environment." Foreword by Thomas W. Chinn. INSCRIBED by the author on the title page "To ---- A wonderful person, I adore your total being. Gung Hay Fat Choy 1988!" Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. Bibliography, index. Somewhat oversized format. 322 pp. ISBN: 0-944194-095.