Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, Revised Edition, 1883

Gleed, Charles S, ed. Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean Via Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co., 1883. Revised Edition. Rebound in ¼ red leather and cloth boards, with original cloth gilt-stamped pictorial front board saved, new marbled endpapers, and a custom archival slipcase to match. Illustrated throughout with engravings. 

This is a “Revised Edition” of the Rand, McNally & Co.'s Overland Guide From the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, via Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The book was edited by Charles S. Gleed and published by Rand, McNally & Co., in Chicago in 1883. It has been artfully rebound in ¼ red leather and cloth boards, with the original gilt-stamped pictorial front cloth board saved, new marbled endpapers, and a matching archival cloth slipcase. 

As explained in the beginning of the guidebook, the purpose of the book is “to give the reader a satisfactory general idea of the States and Territories of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, through which the traveler passes in going from the Missouri river to the Pacific ocean, or vice versa, entering or leaving California at its southern extremity.” Following the southern route of railways, editor Charles Gleed lays out in extensive detail information on each state, including population numbers, key industries, important towns and railway stations, farming and agriculture, mining opportunities, and weather patterns. 

Throughout the guidebook are countless engravings, both full page and in-text, from well known engravers of the time. Meant to further entice readers to take this overland journey, the illustrations offer views of key tourist spots, townviews, and scenic destinations, throughout the featured states of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The guidebook is also supplemented by pages of printed advertisements in the beginning of the book, showcasing local businesses, services, and wares. 

Charles Sumner Gleed (1856–1920) was a Kansas businessman involved in a number of ventures, including railroads, newspapers, law, mining, banking, and communications. He was a member of the first class at the law school of State University of Kansas, a subsequent teacher at the University, and founder of the school’s newspaper. He later worked as a reporter and editor, contributing to the Lawrence Journal, Lawrence Tribune, Kansas Spirit, Kansas Collegiate, the Denver Tribune, the Kansas City Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and the New York Herald. He worked in business development and marketing of three transcontinental railroad companies, the Kansas Pacific, the Union Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. 

In 1884, Charles and his brother started a successful law practice together in Topeka, Kansas. Their clients included many of the largest railroads, telephone companies, banks, and other business corporations, as well as the State of Kansas in numerous contentions. In 1896, he co-bought the Kansas City Journal and became the company's president. He was director and president of the Kansas Historical Society and was a member of the commission that established the Kansas State Printing and Publishing House. Gleed wrote and edited numerous books and pamphlets on Kansas history and the history of the Santa Fe Railway System and frequently lectured on the topics. 

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Rebound in ¼ red leather and cloth boards, with original cloth gilt-stamped pictorial front board saved and pasted to front, new marbled endpapers, and a custom red archival slipcase to match. Wear and fading of gilt to original front cloth. The interior pages are very clean and healthy. Illustrated throughout with black and white engravings, full page and in-text. 16 pp of printed advertisement pages in the beginning. Issued without a map. 

Book Dimensions: 8" H x 5 11/16" W x 1 3/16" D. Slipcase Dimensions: 8 3/8" H x 6" W x 1 5/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.