Trail Dust and Saddle Leather and Californios with Jo Mora: Renaissance Man of the West.
Ketchum, ID: Stoecklein Publishing, 1994. Second Edition. 4to. 'Trail Dust and Saddle Leather', 246pp; 'Californios', 175pp in color printed dustjackets; 'Jo Mora: Renaissance Man of the West 'by Stephen Mitchell, 38pp in printed brown wrappers. Numerous full-page and in-text illustrations by Jo Mora. A fine set, as new, housed in publisher's illustrated slipcase. Item #23540
The evolution of the cowboy and the strong role he and the entire cattle industry played in the development of American society is detailed in Trail Dust and Saddle Leather. Much on the cowboy's working tools, clothes, manners and customs and his constant companion, the Western Horse. "No better exposition anywhere, and here tellingly illustrated, of reatas, spurs, bits, saddles, and other gear." Dobie p. 112. In Californios (his last book) Mora pays tribute to the daring and skill of the California vaqueros, "that hearty breed of missionary-trained horsemen who tended the immense mission herds for eighty years before the Texas cowboys appeared on our national scene." (Adams Herd 1570 & 1571; Grandeau & Shorts p20). Joseph Jacinto Mora (1876 – 1947) was a Uruguayan-born American cartoonist, comics artist, illustrator and cowboy, who lived with the Hopi and wrote extensively about his experiences in California. He was an artist-historian, sculptor, painter, photographer, illustrator, muralist and author. He has been called the "Renaissance Man of the West"
Price: $350.00