LAMBERTIE, Charles de

Picturesque journey in California and Chile; Falkland Islands; - Magellanic Lands; - Strait of Magellan; - Tierra del Fuego; - Tierra del Estado; - Cape Horn; - etc. Paris, Ledoyen, 1853. In-8 (220 x 136 mm) of XI, 310 pp. (the pagination jumps from 292 to 295 without missing). Red half-chagrin, spine ribbed (modern binding). Sabin, 38741; Palau, 130625; Kurutz, The California Gold Rush, 388. First edition, very rare. A work by an author about whom little is known, except for the conceit revealed in his preface and "Miscellanea" (pp. 296-197). He claims that his book is the first of its kind in French about California. Complaining of the dryness of previous accounts, Lambertie promises a narrative rich in emotion and personal reaction. His description of San Francisco focuses on the contradictions found there in both wealth and commerce, but he is a firm believer in the energies and abilities of American citizens. Although he is impressed by the opulence of the gambling establishments and the range of gourmet cuisine, he considers it too expensive. Among the unfortunate events he witnessed was the fire on May 3, 1850. Because of this, he left the city for the gold fields and went to Stockton. After some adventures there, he worked on the Mokelumne River and went to another mining camp. His story focuses on describing the Native Americans in the vicinity, then abruptly stops. 4 leaves at the end rewrapped, otherwise a good copy.