Since we're discussing finds....

I'm not sure this qualifies as a brag, since I paid more than a nickel, but
I was quite thrilled with it.

A four volume set on the history of Milwaukee by James S. Buck, the first
two volumes titled A Pioneer History of Milwaukee and the second two titled
Milwaukee Under the Charter. They were written over a period of time, with
Vol 1, a revised edition, published in 1890, Vol 2 published in 1881, Vol 3
published in 1884, and Vol 4 published in 1886.

Volume 3 is dedicated to: "Solomon Juneau, Milwaukee's first permanent white
settler, and first mayor." Among other corrections and additions to Vol 1
and 2, according to the Author's Preface, it contains "...matter which the
writer considers a complete refutation of the slanderous statements
published in the so-called "History of Milwaukee," issued in 1881 by an
association known as the "Western Historical Company, of Chicago," about the
"home life of Solomon Juneau," as well as the pretended claim of "Jean
Baptist Morandeau," ..." (The author loved those double quotation marks!)

I also own a copy of the referenced *History of Milwaukee*, and little did I
know as I slogged through the seemingly endless stream of missionaries,
explorers and traders that journeyed up the western shore of Lake Michigan
prior to the establishment of Milwaukee, just how sensitive an issue the
primacy of Solomon Juneau as first permanent resident was. Apparently
calling it in to question was like telling Texans that Davy Crocket wasn't
at the Alamo. And the unnamed author of the slur apparently went further and
indicated that Juneau's living quarters were unkempt and dirty (like saying
Crocket was a coward, to boot!), which brought all red-blooded Milwaukeeans
to the defense of Mrs. Juneau. Evidence included signed affidavits by
boarders at the Juneau residence, resolutions by the Old Settler's Club,
affidavits from the children of the principles, and innumerable letters to
the editor of local newspapers. Quite the ruckus.

But that is merely content, and any copy of these volumes would have it all,
as interesting as it is to read. Volume 4 is dedicated to: "Ex-Mayor Horace
Chase, Milwaukee's present oldest pioneer, and first town clerk." And Volume
1 is where it gets interesting from a collector's viewpoint. Volume 1 (a
revised edition) is dedicated to: "Dr. Enoch Chase, Milwaukee's First
Practicing Physician, Present Earliest Living Pioneer, and Honored and
Worthy Citizen." So...it's a rededication. I don't know if the first edition
was also dedicated to him and only revised to elevate him to the status of
"oldest living pioneer" upon the death or departure of his brother or
whether Volume 1 was originally dedicated to someone entirely different.

In any case, all four of these books have an inscription from him on the
first free end paper: "For the Public Library of Darby, Vt, with compliments
of Enoch Chase." I bought them all from an eBay seller who lived in Darby,
VT. The history of Enoch (who has some nice write-ups in the books
themselves), reveals Darby as his birthplace. So....local boy makes good,
and presents proof of same back to his home town. Despite the inscription,
they were never put into circulation.

Alice
--
Book collecting terms illustrated. Used and out of print books for sale.
http://www.mywingsbooks.com/


--
--
Book collecting terms illustrated. Used and out of print books for sale.
http://www.mywingsbooks.com/