27 YEARS A MAVRICK OR LIFE ON A TEXAS RANGE

Chicago: Donohue & Henneberry, Publishers, Printers and Binders, [1893]., 1893. First edition. First edition. 8vo. This is the rare, true first edition, and not to be confused with "Cowboy Life In Texas or 27 Years A Mavrick" which is the 2nd edition. Original navy blue cloth with titles and bull head on front cover and spine stamped in gold gilt, title and bull head stamped in blind on the rear cover, decorated front and rear endpapers, 213 pp., frontispiece [picture of the author], introduction, illustrated. Agatha p. 60 says "In 1893 a popular book in a cheap condition was published in Chicago by W. S. James. This story... was good proof that good people were interested in the romance of the plains whether true or manufactured with an eye for quick sales to a gullible public." Basic Texas Books 104 says "Written by a cowboy turned preacher, this is a valuable account of the life of a Texas cowhand. James was born on his father's ranch in Tarrant County near Fort Worth....He worked as a cowhand from childhood until 1885 when he was converted, after which, he says 'I went out among the cattlemen and worked as a missionary....'" Straightforward descriptions of the cowboy and of ranch life. [R. H. Porter] reports: "No edition examined had a page 7 or 8." The author tried hard to avoid the sensational and tried to give straightforward accounts. He offers an authentic portrayal of cowboying ... emphasizing the day-to-day struggles and triumphs of cowboys on the Texas frontier. The book delves into the physical demands, endurance, and skills required of cowboys. Page edges uniformly tanned, small nicks to a few page edges, two small rubbed spots to the rear cover and light wear to the spine ends and corners else a very good copy of a rare book. Housed in a cloth clamshell case with a leather label on the spine and titles stamped in gold gilt.