Literature of the Old West

Another active thread in this forum laments the scarcity of fine press Western fiction, but I would like to submit that much of the best writing about the Old West or Wild West is nonfiction — biography, autobiography, history, or travel. For example, I think that Mark Twain’s best writing is his travel literature, although I’m sure many readers will disagree. Furthermore, most of the really interesting literature was written by the players themselves or their contemporaries rather than by later historians. And since most voting members said in the recent poll that they prefer not to limit “fine press” to letterpress only, let’s be a little more open in this thread.

I’ll begin by listing a number of Easton Press’s deluxe limited editions. These are leatherbound reproductions of first or very early editions, all of which are liberally illustrated with the original art. Also shown is the limitation. My thanks to member Wootle who has catalogued all the DLEs in the EP forum. EP has also published numerous Western novels in recent years, but most are standard leatherbound editions that would not rise to the level of fine press.

My hope is that some of you will have run across similar books from other publishers that we can add to our reading list.

Life of Colonel Davy Crockett by Davy Crockett: /600

Jesse James and His Band of Notorious Outlaws by Welche Gordon: /600

The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid by Pat F Garrett: /1200

Story of the Wild West and Campfire Chats by Buffalo Bill: /600

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: /300

Roughing It by Mark Twain: /600

Sitting Bull and the Indian War of 1890-91: /600

History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas L McKenney and James Hall: /400 (3 volumes)

The North American Indians by George Catlin: /400 (2 volumes)

The Indian Tribes of the United States by Henry Schoolcraft: /600 (6 volumes)

Report on Indians Taxed and Indians Not Taxed in the United States by Porter and Wright: /600

As part of their Reader's Choice series (which, sadly, tend to be very difficult to find), EP has also published the following:

The Treasure of Sierra Madre by B Traven (2012)
Destry Rides Again by Max Brand (2015)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance by Dorothy M Johnson (2016)
Desert Gold by Zane Grey (2017)
The Lone Star Ranger by Zane Grey (2018)
The Shootist by Glendon Swarthout (2018)
The Untamed by Max Brand (2019)
The Last of the Plainsmen by Zane Grey (2019)
Hopalong Cassidy by Clarence E Mulford (2019)
The Night Horseman by Max Brand (2021) (Not yet released)

As you say, not near fine press quality, but still generally far superior to trade edtions.

Already done, by Grabhorn Press, is Wah-To-Yah and the Taos Trail by Lewis Garrard with illustrations by Mallette Dean (1936).

Just about anything from the Arthur H. Clark company, before they sold out to U. Oklahoma.

For the nice but not letterpress consideration set:

Folio Society’s True Grit, which I hear is delightful but haven’t seen in person.

>4 abysswalker: I can't believe I forgot that one! I actually read the edition recently, and yes, it is quite lovely in person.

>4 abysswalker: There's also a Folio Society edition of The Virginian