1879, Foot-Prints of Vanished Races by A.J. Conant, HB 1st INSCRIBED/SIGNED, VG

Description: RARE INTERESTING BOOK ON THE ARCHEOLOGY OF THE MISSOURI REGION, AUTHORED AND INSCRIBED/SIGNED BY AUTHOR AND ARTIST, ALBAN JASPER CONANT!! The autograph has not been authenticated but is consistent with others that can be found online, mostly associated with his painting. One example is shown in the listing photo. Made with a brush likely and initials for the first and middle, still similarities are seen, particularly the "A" starting Alban, and not including the flourish of the "C" starting the last name, there is a similarity there also. The book is fully titled and subtitled, Foot-Prints of Vanished Races In The Mississippi Valley; Being an Account of some of the Monuments and Relics of Pre-Histoic Races Scattered Over Its Surface, with Suggestions as to Their Origin and uses. First Edition, published by Chancy R. Barnes in 1879. The inked inscription was to the author's grandson, Conant Van Blascom, who also affixed a very interesting bookplate behind the front board. There was a second modern 1948 inscription below that of the author's which looks to be in pencil and if so, could be erased if desired. The book overall is in VERY GOOD CONDITION. The boards have been professionally refurbished, including some rebuild to the bottom of the spine, and cleaning of brown cloth. The gilt is clear on the front board, largely rubbed on the spine. The binding has been professionally solidified, and as a result, the book has 122 clean and solidly bound pages, with numerous ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE EXCAVATION AND ARTIFACTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK. The following is from a review published in 1880 on the book in a journal called, "The American Naturalist": "FOOTPRINTS OF VANISHED RACES.-The foregoing is the title of a work by Mr. A. J. Conant, of St. Louis, Missouri, and published by Chancy R. Barns, of the same city. As it was intended to be a popular treatise, the introductory chapter to a voluminous work entitled, "The Commonwealth of Missouri," our estimate of the volume should keep that fact in view. The writer wields a glowing pen, and in his zeal to honor " the traditions of the elders," frequently steps beyond the limits of sober truth. This remark, however, applies only to the "padding" inserted for the general reader, and not to the very valuable descriptions of the Big Mound at Saint Louis, the works in the south-western corner of the State, and those in the Ozark mountains. Mr. Conant is the first to bring out prominently the existence and construction of barrows, or chambered mounds, in Missouri. The Big Mound, referred to above, contained a chambered tomb whose dimensions were from eight to twelve feet wide, seventy feet long and from eight to ten feet in height. This structure formerly stood at the corner of Mound street and Broadway, in St. Louis, and was entirely removed in 1869. It was one hundred and thirty feet long and thirty feet high. Its demolition drew crowds of spectators to the spot during the many weeks occupied in its removal. Mr. Conant made personal and careful examinations of the work during the whole process of destruction. His enthusiasm may be inferred from the following paragraph: "Being desirous of procuring a perfect skull, I began a careful excavation with a common kitchen knife near the feet of a skeleton, following the spinal column to the head. My work, however, was soon interrupted by the crowd of eager boys from the neighboring schools, who scrambled for the beads thrown out with each handfulof earth, with such energy, that I was lifted from my feet and borne away. By the aid of a policeman I was able to finish my excavation, but without having the fortune to secure what was so much desired." Mr. Conant has devoted the leisure of fifteen years to archeology, and upon those subjects with which he is familiar, is a valued contributor to the increase of knowledge." On Alban Jasper Conant from Wikipedia: "Alban Jasper Conant (September 24, 1821 – February 3, 1915) was a painter best known for painting the first portrait of Abraham Lincoln... ... Conant also wrote or co-wrote several books. He wrote Foot-prints of vanished races in the Mississippi valley in 1879 and My acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln in 1893. Conant wrote A portrait painter's reminiscences of Lincoln in 1909 and eleven chapters of The Commonwealth of Missouri: A Centennial Record in 1877. The chapters were about the archaeology of Missouri. He served as a curator at University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, for eight years. He founded the School of Mines and Metallurgy and then supervised the school for three years..." B17

Price: 144 USD

Location: Burtonsville, Maryland

End Time: 2024-10-09T18:19:02.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6 USD