California: The Golden Shore by the Sundown Sea by W. H. Hutchinson (Signed Second Edition), 1988 🌴🌞🌅

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, signed second edition of California: The Golden Shore by the Sundown Sea, a beautifully illustrated narrative that chronicles the state's rich and complex past. Published in 1988, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of Western Americana and California history. It offers a unique window into the natural history, culture, and development of the Golden State.

This edition is a tangible connection to the enduring legacy of a celebrated California historian. Its documented rarity and exceptional content make this a premier acquisition for any serious library. The book is not merely a historical account; it is a document of the resilience and spirit of those who settled the West.

 

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

California: The Golden Shore by the Sundown Sea is a comprehensive and engaging narrative history of California. The book is a vivid account that details the state’s natural wonders, the era of Spanish missions, the tumultuous Gold Rush, and the subsequent development that transformed a frontier into a global economic powerhouse. The narrative is richly complemented by a stunning collection of historical photographs, maps, and illustrations.

The book is an essential primary source for any scholar or dedicated reader of California history. It is a work that captures the lived experience of a state that was a central figure in some of the most important social movements of its time. The book's content offers a detailed and nuanced understanding of the forces that shaped California.

 

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

W. H. "Bill" Hutchinson (1910-1996) was a celebrated American historian and author specializing in the history of California and the American West. He was a master storyteller, known for his ability to weave a compelling narrative from historical facts. He served as a professor of history at California State University, Chico, and was a prominent figure in the California Historical Society.

Hutchinson’s work is a serious examination of the American experience and a document of the lives of those who built the nation. He was a lifelong Californian who worked as a horse wrangler, cowboy, miner, and boilermaker, which gave his writing an authentic perspective on the West.

 

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1988, this book is an artifact of the late 20th century in America, a period of immense social change and political upheaval. The book’s publication reflects a widespread desire for stories that celebrated the complexities of the American experience and documented the lives of those who had built the nation.

The book is a "time capsule" of late 20th-century American social and political thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual expression and personal narratives were highly valued. This volume provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream historians.

 

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of California history, a scholar of Western Americana, or a private collector of historical narratives. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as a foundational historical document and a personal artifact of its time.

The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

• History, social reform, and the art of bookmaking.

• The enduring legacy of California's unique personality.

• The work of a celebrated historian and author.

 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare, signed second edition from 1988, this book represents a genuinely scarce non-replicable asset class. The scarcity of a well-preserved copy in this condition is a key factor in its value. The book’s provenance is significantly enhanced by a personal inscription from the author, W. H. Hutchinson, and a signed copy of a speech he gave.

The book's worth is enhanced by:

• Verifiable Provenance: The book has a personal inscription from the author, which adds to its authenticity.

• Historical Context: This book is a primary source for understanding the history of California, and it is a valuable educational tool for those interested in local history.

• Unique Ephemera: The book is accompanied by a signed speech from the author, which adds a unique layer of provenance and historical value.

 

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved piece showing authentic wear consistent with its age from the late 20th century. The hardcover is in solid state, with a tight and sound binding. The pages have some expected toning and light foxing throughout, a natural process for paper, which gives it authenticity.

• Binding: The book is a hardcover with a dust jacket. The binding is tight and sound. The interior pages are clean and free of any marks or stains.

• Dust Jacket: The dust jacket shows visible wear and tear, including rubbing and scuffing, and some small tears.

• Interior: The pages show some toning and foxing, but the text and photographs are clear and readable. The front endpaper contains a personal inscription from the author, a handwritten note, and a signed speech.

 

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book is a signed second edition, with a personal inscription from the author, W. H. Hutchinson.

• The author was a Professor Emeritus of History at California State University, Chico, and also worked as a horse wrangler, cowboy, and miner.

• The book is accompanied by a signed copy of a speech Hutchinson gave upon being elected a Fellow of the California Historical Society in 1985.

• The book's content is a vivid account of California, from its geological origins to its modern identity.

• The inscription is dated August 28, 1989, and it is a personal note from the author to the recipient, Don Demney.

• The book contains a handwritten note with a transcription of a portion of the speech, which includes a Spanish blessing: "A todos ustedes, Salud y Suerte y Que se Vayan con Dios."

 

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: California: The Golden Shore by the Sundown Sea

• Author/Maker: W. H. Hutchinson

• Year: 1988

• Publisher/Foundry: Star Publishing Company

• Place of Origin: Vacaville, California, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with Dust Jacket

• Edition: Signed Second Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription:

  To: Don Demney as a token of the pleasure I had in having the qubo lives in his company- W.H. Hutchinson 8/28/1989

  Handwritten Note: "A todos ustedes, Salud y Suerte y Que se Vayan con Dios."