Books of the Day: From the Big Bend to the Big Sur

Mora, Jo, Trail Dust and Saddle Leather (Scribner’s, 1st ed., 1946, later printing, 1950). Joseph Jacinto Mora (1876–1947) was a Uruguayan-born American cartoonist, 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". This, his last book, recounts 57 years in the saddle. With fine black-and-white illustrations by the author. Hardcover, clipped dust jacket. signed by previous owner on illustrated endpapers. HBB price: $40.

Morelock, Horace Wilson Big Bend Panorama: Observations, Speeches and Reflections of a Pioneer College President (The Naylor Co., San Antonio, 1st ed. 1953). Born in Cleo, Tennessee in 1873, Horace Morlock migrated to Texas to become a school superintendent in 1904, took his MA from Harvard, and in 1922 became the second president of what is now Sul Ross University, then all of two years old. Morelock spent 23 years at the helm, building and then defending the college from the Texas legislature, while becoming a part of the fabric of the Big Bend Country. At 80 he collected essays, articles and reminiscences of his times into this interesting and rare volume; this copy is inscribed to his sister-in-law in October, 1953. Morelock continued as Sul Ross’ president emeritus until he died, at 93, in 1966. Hardcover, red boards with a yellow dust jacket; some tears around the head and at the edges. Black and white photos; indexed. HBB price: $20.

Henry Bemis Books is one man’s attempt to bring more diversity and quality to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg market of devoted readers starved for choices. For more information about any listed book, or more photos, please contact Lindsay at henrybemisbookseller@gmail.com. Henry Bemis Books is also happy to entertain reasonable offers on items in inventory. Shipping is always free; local buyers are welcome to drop by and pick up their purchases at our location off Peachtree Road in Northwest Charlotte if they like. #RareBooks #HenryBemisBooks #JoMora #Horace Morelock #TexasBigBend #TheOldWest