History of Southeastern Dakota (1881 Hardcover)



History of Southeastern Dakota : Its Settlement and Growth, Geological and Physical Features -- Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages -- Incidents of Pioneer Life -- Biographical Sketches of the Pioneers and Business Men, with a brief Outline History of the Territory in General. 392pp. plus 6pp. advertisements. 


One of the first published histories of Dakota Territory. A very rare review of what became (in 1889) eastern South Dakota. Includes information by County with a list of prominent citizens and businesses. Provides information on who originally settled there, and what their origins might be. Speculates that Dakota Indians could be descendants of Prince Madoc of North Wales! The text is followed by several pages of ads.


Book was printed by Perkins Brothers of Sioux City, Iowa. George Douglas Perkins (1840-1914), one of the founders of Perkins Brothers Company, was a Civil War veteran, U.S. Congressman and newspaper editor, who came to Sioux City in 1869 and purchased a weekly newspaper which he converted to a Daily in 1870. His brother Henry Perkins joined a short time later and they Incorporated Perkins Brothers Company in 1886. In addition to running an office supply store and print shop they published the daily & Sunday journal until the newspaper was taken over by the Journals Review Publishing Company in 1941. Most likely, the Perkins were the editors and compilers of this book.


Hardcover has brown cloth boards with gold lettering & designs, but no dust jacket. Foot of spine and corners of cover show wear through cloth. Book has 3-4 pages torn from front and 3-4 pages torn from rear of book. Perhaps to conceal former ownership. Remainder tightly bound and the cover solidly connected to text. Interior text has no marks and is mostly clean, except for smudged fingerprints.



No copyright asserted. Title page gives 1881 as print date of this copy. Probably not 1st printing since erratum listed on 1st page of table of contents. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR.



Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:


Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...


Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.


Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership.


Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.


Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure

someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)


Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have

missing pages (you should ask).


Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.


1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector

might desire this copy.


Thanks for looking!