[CALIFORNIANA]. HARDY, Lieut. R. W. H. Travels in the Interior of Mexico, in 1825, 1826, 1827, & 1828. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1829. 8vo. Illustrated with 2 maps (1 folding), and 6 plates. [i]-[xiv], [1]-540 pp. No half-title. Approximately 8 x 5". Bound to style in modern half brown calf over marbled boards, spine ruled, tooled, and lettered in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, modern endleaves (some wear to boards, folding map backed in linen, light toning and occasional foxing to text and plates). Near fine. FIRST EDITION OF THIS IMPORTANT WESTERN TRAVEL BOOK WITH EARLY DESCRIPTION OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BAJA PENINSULA. ?Mr. Hardy was sent out to search for pearls in the Gulf of California. His book is full of information on the little-known regions of Sonora and Lower California". (Sabin). Sabin 30357.