Range Classic, Signed
The Great Plains
Publication: Boston: Ginn and Company, 1931. First Edition.
Notes: Webb's book "explains more about Texan culture, even today, than just about anything written, or shown on television"—A. C. Greene, The Fifty Best Books on Texas.
"The single greatest book about the Plains. Webb surveys all life on the Plains, and much of what he discusses relates directly or indirectly to the range industry. The sections on water and fencing are two of the best. A must for every Western library"—William Reese, Six Score: The 120 Best Books on the Range Cattle Industry, #111.
"Not only is it probably the most significant book ever written in Texas, it is also essential to any understanding of Texas"—John Jenkins, Basic Texas Books, p. xi.
"A well-written book"—Ramon Adams, The Rampaging Herd, no. 2455.
Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing with code "631.7" on the copyright page). A very good copy, with a previous owner's name on the front free endpaper dated 1931 and offsetting from a newspaper clipping on the preface. In a jacket missing significant pieces from the edges and with tape repairs on the back (verso). The jacket is encausulated (not laminated) in a plastic sleeve. This copy is inscribed by the author on the dedication page, "To Miss Ethel Cassles with kind regards. Watler Prescott Webb." It appears that Webb started to inscribe the book above the ownership signature, writing "To" before switching pages.
Copies of this book inscribed by Webb are uncommon. Several bibliographies identify the first printing (or "issue") by the unfortunate typo "poo" for "poor" in the Chapter II summary on page 10, but the code on the title page is sufficient to separate the various printings.
Item No: #365268
Price: $600