Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico, by Ellsworth L. Kolb, Signed by Emery Kolb, with Dust Jacket, 1963

Kolb, Ellsworth L. Through the Grand Canyon: From Wyoming to Mexico. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1963. Fifteenth edition. Octavo. In original dust jacket and blue cloth boards, with front color pastedown, outlined in red with gilt titles. Signed and dated by Emery C. Kolb. 

Offered is Ellsworth Kolb’s adventurous book, Through the Grand Canyon: From Wyoming to Mexico. Originally published in 1914, Macmillan and Company published this example in 1963. The fifteenth edition, this printing is advertised as a “New Edition with additional illustrations (76 plates) with photography by the author and his brother.” In total, there are actually 103 black and white plates, one color frontispiece, and one hand-drawn map. The book is also signed with an inscription by photographer Emery Kolb. In full, the inscription reads: “Yours very truly, Emery C. Kolb Age 86 ½/ July - 1967/ Grand Canyon, Arizona.”

Brothers Ellsworth and Emery Kolb set up a photography studio on the edge of the Grand Canyon and in 1902 began taking still shots of the scenic views, the mule parties, and river adventures. By 1911, they were determined to navigate the Colorado and Green Rivers, documenting their trip with their new motion-picture camera. After the 101-day adventure, the two brothers were the first to record the Grand Canyon on moving film. With over 100 plates from the brothers’ photographs, this book tells the tale of their photographic exploration of 277 mile long canyon. The book still retains its original blue cloth boards with a photographic pastedown of the Grand Canyon at the mouth of Ha Va Su Creek, taken by the Kolb Brothers. 

The brothers also set up a film-lecture series and traveled around the United States presenting their work and story to intrigued crowds. The movies were wildly popular and were seen as an inspiring way to bring the celebrated beauty of the American West to people who couldn’t see it for themselves. For the next sixty years, the Kolb brothers’ movie was shown around the nation and was considered a classic and true western adventure tale. Today, the Kolb Photographic Studio still stands and has been restored by the Grand Canyon Association. 

CONDITION:

Near fine condition. Blue cloth boards with brightly colored pastedown on front depicting the canyon, outlined in red with gilt titles. 344pp followed by publisher adverts. Illustrated with b/w photos by the author on plates in back. The text is printed on laid-paper. Foreword by Owen Wister. 

Very good + jacket. White with colorful illustration on front, same as boards. Closed tear on the front lower corner, repaired with clear tape that has now yellowed. Price of $4.00. Evenly toned. Text clean. Rubbed corners along spine tips, spine with only a hint of fading. Mylar. 

Book Dimensions: 8 9/16” H x 6 ⅝” W x 1 ⅜” D

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.