Zamorano Eighty facts for kids

A picture, possibly by Charles Nahl, from The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta, a very rare book from 1854.

The Zamorano Eighty is a special list of books. These books are considered the most important early writings about the history of California. A group of book lovers in Los Angeles called the Zamorano Club created this list in 1945. Many people who love books try to collect the very first editions of every book on this list. So far, only four people have managed to collect all eighty books!

What is the Zamorano Eighty?

The Zamorano Club started in 1928. It was named after Agustín Vicente Zamorano, who was the first printer in California. Members of the club, including a famous book expert named Henry Raup Wagner, worked together. They made a list of one hundred books, which they later shortened to eighty. One of the members, Robert Cowan, passed away during this process. As a tribute to him, his own book, Bibliography of the History of California and the Pacific West, was added to the list.

Famous Authors and Rare Finds

The list includes important books by well-known authors like Mark Twain, John Muir, Bret Harte, and Robert Louis Stevenson. It also has less known books about exploring new places and legal matters. Some of these books are extremely rare, meaning only a few copies exist. Others were once common but became very valuable because of their place on this list. Book sellers often use a book's "Zamorano number" to show it's on this special list.

Collecting the Zamorano Eighty

Collecting all eighty first editions is a huge challenge. Thomas Streeter was the first person to complete the collection. His books were sold at auction between 1966 and 1969. Frederick William Beinecke was the second person to finish the collection. Henry H. Clifford completed his collection in 1988, and Daniel Volkmann finished his in 1994. Many other collectors have tried to achieve this goal.

Where to Find a Complete Collection

Only one place, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, has a complete set of the Zamorano 80. Frederick W. Beinecke donated his entire collection to them. Both the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley and the Huntington Library in San Marino, California have almost all the books, missing only one each.

The Rarest Book

The rarest book on the list is number 64. It's a short novel called The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta by John Rollin Ridge, who wrote under the name "Yellow Bird." Only two first-edition copies of this book are known to exist! Each of these two copies has been used twice by different collectors to complete their Zamorano lists. This book is often called a "Holy Grail" or "rara avis" (a rare bird) by collectors because it is so hard to find.

The Zamorano Eighty List

The books on the list are numbered in alphabetical order by the author's last name. If there's no clear author, it's by title (like numbers 14, 35, and 62). The numbers do not mean one book is more important or valuable than another.

#	Author	Title	Year	Cover or title page
1	Atherton, GertrudeGertrude Atherton	The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California	1902	Cover of The Splendid Idle Forties
2	Austin, MaryMary Austin	The Land of Little Rain	1903	Title page of The Land of Little Rain
3	Bancroft, Hubert HoweHubert Howe Bancroft	Works, 39 volumes	1882–90	Volume 21 of Hubert Howe Bancroft's Works
4	Beechey, Frederick WilliamFrederick William Beechey	Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait, to Co-Operate with the Polar Expeditions: Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom, under the Command of Captain F. W. Beechey, 2 volumes	1831	Cover of Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific
5	Bell, HoraceHorace Bell	Reminiscences of a Ranger: Early Times in Southern California	1881	Cover of Reminiscences of a Ranger
6	Bledsoe, Anthony J.Anthony J. Bledsoe	Indian Wars of the Northwest: A California Sketch	1885	Cover of Indian Wars of the Northwest
7	Bolton, Herbert EugeneHerbert Eugene Bolton	Anza's California Expeditions, 5 volumes	1930	–
8	Borthwick, John DavidJohn David Borthwick	Three Years in California	1857	Cover of Three Years in California
9	Brewer, William HenryWilliam Henry Brewer	Up and Down California in 1860–1864: The Journal of William H. Brewer	1930	–
10	Brown, John HenryJohn Henry Brown	Reminiscences and Incidents of The Early Days of San Francisco	1886	Cover of The Early Days of San Francisco
11	Browne, John RossJohn Ross Browne	Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, on the Formation of the State Constitution, in September and October, 1849	1850	Cover of Report of the Debates in the Convention of California
12	Bryant, EdwinEdwin Bryant	What I Saw in California: Being the Journal of a Tour, by the Emigrant Route and South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, across the Continent of North America, the Great Desert Basin, and through California, in the Years 1846, 1847	1849	Cover of What I Saw in California
13	Burnett, Peter HardemanPeter Hardeman Burnett	Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer	1880	Cover of Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer
14	various authors	California and New Mexico: Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting Information in Answer to a Resolution of the House of the 31st of December, 1849, on the Subject of California and New Mexico	1850	Cover of Message from the President of the United States on the subject of California and New Mexico
15	Carrillo, Carlos AntonioCarlos Antonio Carrillo	Exposicion Dirigida a la Camara de Diputados Del Congreso de la Union	1831	Cover of Exposicion Dirigida a la Camara de Diputados Del Congreso de la Union
16	Carson, James H.James H. Carson	Early Recollections of the Mines and a Description of the Great Tulare Valley	1852	Cover of Early Recollections of the Mines
17	Clemens, SamuelSamuel Clemens	The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Sketches	1867	Cover of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
18	Clemens, SamuelSamuel Clemens	Roughing It	1872	Cover of Roughing It
19	Clyman, JamesJames Clyman	James Clyman, American Frontiersman, 1792–1881: The adventures of a trapper and covered wagon emigrant as told in his own reminiscences and diaries	1928	–
20	Colton, WalterWalter Colton	Three Years in California	1850	Title page of Three Years in California
21	Coolbrith, Ina DonnaIna Donna Coolbrith	Songs from the Golden Gate	1895	Cover of Songs from the Golden Gate
22	Costansó, MiguelMiguel Costansó	Diario Histórico de los Viages de Mar, y Tierra Hechos al Norte de la California	1770	Title page of Diario Histórico de los Viages de Mar, y Tierra Hechos al Norte de la California
23	Cowan, Robert ErnestRobert Ernest Cowan	Bibliography of the history of California and the Pacific West, 1510–1906	1914	Title page of A Bibliography of the History of California and the Pacific West
24	Cummins, Ella SterlingElla Sterling Cummins	The story of the files; a review of California writers and literature	1893	Title page of The Story of the Files
25	Dale, Harrison CliffordHarrison Clifford Dale	The Ashley-Smith explorations and the discovery of a central route to the Pacific, 1822–1829	1918	Title page of The Ashley-Smith explorations
26	Dana, Richard HenryRichard Henry Dana	Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea	1840	Cover of Two Years Before the Mast
27	Davis, William HeathWilliam Heath Davis	Sixty Years in California	1889	Title page of Sixty Years in California
28	Davis, Winfield J.Winfield J. Davis	History of Political Conventions in California, 1849–1892	1893	–
29	Delano, AlonzoAlonzo Delano	Old Block's sketch-book; or, Tales of California life	1856	Cover of Old Block's sketch-book
30	Duflot de Mofras, EugèneEugène Duflot de Mofras	Exploration du territoire de l’Orégon, des Californies et de la mer Vermeille, exécutée pendant les années 1840, 1841 et 1842	1844	–
31	Duhaut-Cilly, Auguste BernardAuguste Bernard Duhaut-Cilly	Voyage autour du Monde, principalement à la Californie et aux Iles Sandwich, pendant les années 1826, 1827, 1828, et 1829	1834–35	–
32	Dwinelle, John W.John W. Dwinelle	The colonial history of the city of San Francisco : being a synthetic argument in the District Court of the United States for the northern district of California, for four square leagues of land claimed by that city	1863	–
33	Emory, William HemsleyWilliam Hemsley Emory	Notes of a Military Reconnaissance, from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California including part of the Arkansas, Del Norte, and Gila Rivers.	1848	–
34	Engelhardt, ZephyrinZephyrin Engelhardt	The Missions and Missionaries of California, 5 volumes	1908–16	–
35	Portolà, Gaspar deGaspar de Portolà (attributed)	Estracto de noticias del puerto de Monterrey, de la missión, y presidio que se han establecido en el con la denominación de San Carlos, y del sucesso de las dos expediciones de mar, y tierra que a este fin se despacharon en el año proximo anterior de 1769	1770	Title page of Estracto de noticias del puerto de Monterrey
36	Farnham, Thomas J.Thomas J. Farnham	Travels in the Californias, and Scenes in the Pacific Ocean	1844	Title page of Travels in the Californias, and Scenes in the Pacific Ocean
37	Figueroa, JoséJosé Figueroa	Manifiesto á la República Mejicana que hace el General de Brigada José Figueroa, Comandante General y Gefe Político de la Alta California, sobre su conducta y de los Señores D. José María de Híjar y D. José María Padrés, como Directores de Colonización en 1834 y 1835	1835	–
38	Forbes, AlexanderAlexander Forbes	California: A History of Upper and Lower California from Their First Discovery to the Present Time, Comprising an Account of the Climate, Soil, Natural Productions, Agriculture, Commerce &c. A Full View of the Missionary Establishments and Condition of the Free and Domesticated Indians. With an Appendix Relating to Steam Navigation in the Pacific. Illustrated with a New Map, Plans of the Harbours, and Numerous Engravings	1839	–
39	Frémont, John CharlesJohn Charles Frémont	Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and North California in the Years 1843–'44	1845	–
40	Harte, BretBret Harte	The Luck of Roaring Camp, and Other Sketches	1870	–
41	Hastings, Lansford W.Lansford W. Hastings	The Emigrants' Guide, to Oregon and California, Containing Scenes and Incidents of a Party of Oregon Emigrants; a Description of Oregon; Scenes and Incidents of a Party of California Emigrants; and a Description of California; with a Description of the Different Routes to Those Countries; and All Necessary Information Relative to the Equipment, Supplies, and the Method of Traveling	1845	Cover of The Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California
42	Hittell, Theodore HenryTheodore Henry Hittell	The Adventures of James Capen Adams, Mountaineer and Grizzly Bear Hunter, of California	1860	Cover of The Adventures of James Capen Adams
43	Hittell, Theodore HenryTheodore Henry Hittell	History of California, 4 volumes	1885–97	–
44	Hoffman, OgdenOgden Hoffman	Reports of Land Cases Determined in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. June Term, 1853, to June Term, 1858, Inclusive	1862	–
45	Ide, SimeonSimeon Ide	A Biographical Sketch of the Life of William B. Ide: With a Minute and Interesting Account of One of the Largest Emigrating Companies (3000 Miles Over Land), from the East to the Pacific Coast. And What Is Claimed As the Most Authentic and Reliable Account of “The Virtual Conquest of California, in June, 1846, by the Bear Flag Party,” As Given by Its Leader, the Late Hon. William Brown Ide	1880	–
46	Jackson, Helen HuntHelen Hunt Jackson	Ramona	1884	Cover of Ramona
47	King, ClarenceClarence King	Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada	1872	–
48	Kotzebue, Otto vonOtto von Kotzebue	Entdeckungs-Reise in die Süd-See und nach der Berings-Strasse zur Erforschung einer nordöstlichen Durchfahrt. Unternommen in den Jahren 1815, 1816, 1817 und 1818	1821	Title page of Entdeckungs-Reise in die Süd-See
49	Lapérouse, Jean-François de Galaup, comte deJean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse	Voyage de La Pérouse Autour du Monde, Publié Conformément au Décret du 22 Avril 1791, et Rédigé par M. L. A. Milet-Mureau, Général de Brigade dans le Corps du Génie, Directeur des Fortifications, Ex-Constituent, Membre de Plusieurs Sociétés Littéraires de Paris, 4 volumes	1797	–
50	Leonard, ZenasZenas Leonard	Narrative of the Adventures of Zenas Leonard, a Native of Clearfield County, Pa. Who Spent Five Years in Trapping for Furs, Trading with the Indians &c. &c., of the Rocky Mountains: Written by Himself	1839	–
51	Manly, William LewisWilliam Lewis Manly	Death Valley in '49. Important Chapter of California Pioneer History. The Autobiography of a Pioneer, Detailing His Life from a Humble Home in the Green Mountains to the Gold Mines of California; and Particularly Reciting the Sufferings of the Band of Men, Women, and Children Who Gave "Death Valley" Its Name	1894	Cover of Death Valley in '49
52	Marryat, FrankFrank Marryat	Mountains and Molehills; or, Recollections of a Burnt Journal	1855	Cover of Mountains and Molehills
53	McGlashan, Charles FayetteCharles Fayette McGlashan	History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierras	1879	–
54	McGowan, EdwardEdward McGowan	Narrative of Edward McGowan, Including a Full Account of the Author’s Adventures and Perils while Persecuted by the San Francisco Vigilance Committee of 1856	1857	Cover of Narrative of Edward McGowan
55	Miller, JoaquinJoaquin Miller	Life amongst the Modocs: Unwritten History	1873	Cover of Life amongst the Modocs
56	Muir, JohnJohn Muir	The Mountains of California	1894	–
57	Newmark, HarrisHarris Newmark	Sixty Years in Southern California 1853–1913. Containing the Reminiscences of Harris Newmark	1916	–
58	Norris, FrankFrank Norris	McTeague: A Story of San Francisco	1899	Cover of McTeague
59	Palóu, FranciscoFrancisco Palóu	Relación histórica de la vida y apostólicas tareas del Venerable Padre Fray Junípero Serra, y de las misiones que fundó en la California septentrional, y nuevos establecimientos de Monterey	1787	–
60	Pattie, James O.James O. Pattie	The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie, of Kentucky, during an Expedition from St. Louis, through the Vast Regions between That Place and the Pacific Ocean, and Thence Back through the City of Mexico to Vera Cruz, during Journeyings of Six Years; in Which He and His Father, Who Accompanied Him, Suffered Unheard of Hardships and Dangers, Had Various Conflicts with the Indians, and Were Made Captives, in Which Captivity His Father Died; Together with a Description of the Country, and the Various Nations through Which They Passed	1831	–
61	Powers, StephenStephen Powers	Afoot and Alone: A Walk from Sea to Sea by the Southern Route. Adventures and Observations in Southern California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, etc.	1872	Cover of Afoot and Alone
62	unknown	Reglamento para el gobierno de la Provincia de Californias. Aprobado por S. M. en Real Órden de 24. de octubre de 1781	1784	–
63	Revere, Joseph WarrenJoseph Warren Revere	A Tour of Duty in California; Including a Description of the Gold Region: And an Account of the Voyage around Cape Horn; with Notices of Lower California, the Gulf and Pacific Coasts, and the Principal Events Attending the Conquest of the Californias	1849	–
64	Ridge, John RollinJohn Rollin Ridge	The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit. By Yellow Bird	1854	Cover of The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta
65	Robinson, AlfredAlfred Robinson	Life in California: During a Residence of Several Years in That Territory, Comprising a Description of the Country and the Missionary Establishments, with Incidents, Observations, Etc., Etc.	1846	–
66	Royce, JosiahJosiah Royce	California from the Conquest in 1846 to the Second Vigilance Committee in San Francisco: A Study of American Character	1886	–
67	Sabin, Edwin L.Edwin L. Sabin	Kit Carson Days (1809–1868)	1914	Cover of Kit Carson Days
68	Shinn, Charles HowardCharles Howard Shinn	Mining Camps: A Study in American Frontier Government	1885	–
69	Shirley, DameDame Shirley	"California, in 1851" and "California, in 1852" in The Pioneer; or, California Monthly Magazine [The "Shirley Letters"]	1854–55	–
70	Soulé, FrankFrank Soulé, John H. Gigon, and James Nisbet	The Annals of San Francisco; Containing a Summary of the History of the First Discovery, Settlement, Progress, and Present Condition of California, and a Complete History of All the Important Events Connected with Its Great City: To Which Are Added, Biographical Memoirs of Some Prominent Citizens	1855	–
71	Stevenson, Robert LouisRobert Louis Stevenson	The Silverado Squatters	1883	Cover of The Silverado Squatters
72	Swasey, William F.William F. Swasey	The Early Days and Men of California	1891	Cover of The Early Days and Men of California
73	Taylor, BayardBayard Taylor	Eldorado; or, Adventures in the Path of Empire: Comprising a Voyage to California, via Panama; Life in San Francisco and Monterey; Pictures of the Gold Region, and Experiences of Mexican Travel, 2 volumes	1850	–
74	Thornton, J. QuinnJ. Quinn Thornton	Oregon and California in 1848...with an Appendix, Including Recent and Authentic Information on the Subject of the Gold Mines of California, and Other Valuable Matter of Interest to the Emigrant, 2 volumes	1849	–
75	Tyler, DanielDaniel Tyler	A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War. 1846–1847	1881	–
76	Upham, Samuel CurtisSamuel Curtis Upham	Notes of a Voyage to California via Cape Horn, Together with Scenes in El Dorado, in the Years 1849–'50. With an Appendix Containing Reminiscences of Pioneer Journalism in California	1878	–
77	Vancouver, GeorgeGeorge Vancouver	A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the World; in Which the Coast of North-West America Has Been Carefully Examined and Accurately Surveyed. Undertaken by His Majesty’s Command, Principally with a View to Ascertain the Existence of Any Navigable Communication between the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans; and Performed in the Years 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, and 1795, in the Discovery Sloop of War, and Armed Tender Chatham, 4 volumes	1798	–
78	Venegas, MiguelMiguel Venegas	Noticia de la California, y de su conquista temporal, y espiritual hasta el tiempo presente. Sacada de la historia manuscrita, formada en Mexico año de 1739, 3 volumes	1757	Title page of Noticia de la California
79	Wierzbicki, Felix PaulFelix Paul Wierzbicki	California As It Is, and As It May Be; or, A Guide to the Gold Region	1849	Title page of California As It Is, and As It May Be
80	Woods, Daniel BatesDaniel Bates Woods	Sixteen Months at the Gold Diggings	1851	Title page of Sixteen Months at the Gold Diggings