• Search the Collections
• The John Muir Papers
• The Brubeck Collection
• Western Americana Collections
• University Archives
• Digital Collections
• Fee Schedule & Forms
• Contact Us

• Special Collections Home
• Library Homepage

Western Americana Book Collection

1759 translation of Venegas’s Natural and Civil History of California

1798 translation of La Pérouse’s Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World

The Western Americana book collection dates from the mid-eighteenth century to the twenty-first century. Coverage of California literature is comprehensive, and the collection also includes landmark works on the history of the greater American West, such as History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark (1814).

Non-fiction works include essential books on the early history of California, such the first English translation (1759) of Venegas’s Natural and Civil History of California, the first English translation (1798) of La Perouse’s The Voyage of La Perouse Around the World, and Palou's Life and Apostolic Labors of the Venerable Father Junipero Serra (1787).

All of the books can be found in the library's online catalog, PacifiCat.

The book collection also includes fictional works by Mark Twain, Bret Harte, John Steinbeck, a collection of Jack London first editions, and John Muir’s Personal Library.