COW PEOPLE.

Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1964. x[2]305pp. Index. Photographs (full page). Illustrations. Notes on sources. Bound in full green leather with title and decorative devices in gilt on the spine. Marbled endsheets. a.e.g. Publisher’s green slipcase, with red leather and gold author/title label on the front. First edition, limited edition of two. SIGNED by Dobie on the free fly. Laid-in is a typed note signed by William Morrison, long time Waco bookseller which reads: “I CERTIFY HEREWITH THAT THIS IS ONE OF TWO COPIES, SPECIALLY BOUND, OF J. FRANK DOBIES’ ‘COW PEOPLE’ WHICH HE SIGNED, BEFORE HIS DEATH, THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLISHER, LITTLE BROWN & COMPANY OF BOSTON, MASS. [signed] W. M. MORRISON, BOOKSELLER.” Externally, a very tiny, rubbed area at the bottom of the spine with page edge gilt thinning in a couple of spots. Overall, bright and fine. The slipcase is also fine. Reese, Six Score 31:  “The last book written by Dobie before his death, this volume is pure cow country, with sketches of Ike Pryor, Ab Blocker, Shanghai Pierce, and many other lesser known cattlemen.”  Dobie & Dykes, 44&44  (Dykes 55): “This is one of Frank’s best books—the character sketches of Ike Pryor, Ab Blocker, Shanghai Pierce, Charles Goodnight et al are true to the range life of a day just past.  In addition, there are many delightful yarns of cow people that never hit print before—little gems.” Adams, Six-Guns 601: “Contains some information on Billy the Kid and Henry Brown.” Dobie, because he was one of them, was at his best writing about men of the range. This might be the rarest Dobie book extant.