One of the wonderful early accounts of the Utah Territories would be that of fur-trader Henry Boller, first published in 1868 by T. Ellwood Zell, of Philadelphia. Among the Indians: Eight Years in the Far West: 1858-1866. Embracing Sketches of Montana and Salt Lake is a uniquely rare account of early settler life in this part of America, and the travels and trails of Boller at the time. What makes this edition so magnificent is the wonderful pull-out map of the territories covered, in a very fine illustration and exact geographical map. A true first edition of this attractive work, given its map and rare subject matter could be worth four to five thousand US dollars at auction today.
Not much can be written about the state of Utah without mentioning its most famous pioneers: Brigham Young and the Mormons. One very fine book to add to any collection of wither the state or the Church of Latter Day Saints would be a first edition copy of the Journal of Discourses, by Brigham Young (as reported by G.D. Watt). This famous book of the Mormon and Church of Latter-Day Saints religion would be highly prized in any collection. Originally published in 1855, by F.D. Richards of Liverpool, many of these early editions have sadly suffered from wear and tear of much (fervent and pious, one must assume) use. A true first in a very fine or mint condition must surely be worth in the region of six hundred or even a thousand dollars (but a less than mint copy can be picked up for under five hundred).
For those who might be interested in a different perspective, look instead to Utah and the Mormons: The History, Government, Doctrines, Customs, and Prospects of the Latter-day Saints. From Personal Observation During a Six Months' residence at Great Salt Lake City, first published in 1854, by Harper and Brothers, New York. This work by Benjamin G. Ferris can be found in a wonderfully elegant brown cloth with gilt title and bands on the spine, with decorative blind stamping.
Mayhew, Henry. The Mormons. Office of the National Illustrated Library , London (1851). or Latter-Day Saints. With Memoirs of the Life and Death of Joseph Smith, theAmerican Mahomet. Includes 40 engravings
Pratt, Orson. Series of Pamphlets by Orson Pratt. R. James, Liverpool (1851). One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With Portrait. To Which is Appended a Discussion Held in Boston, Between Elder William Gibson, President of the Saints in the Manchester Conference, and the Rev. Mr. Woodman. Also a Discussion Held in France, Between Elder John Taylor, One of the Twelve Apostles, and Three Reverend Gentleman of Different Orders, Containing a Facsimile of Writings Engraved on Six Metallic Plates Taken Out of an Ancient Mound in the State of Illinois, in the Year 1843. 18 parts.
Stansbury, Howard; Preuss, Charles; Gunnison, John Williams. Exploration and Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Lippincott, Grambo and Company, Philadelphia (1852). Including a Reconnoissance of a New Route Through the Rocky Mountains; Sepiatone views and natural history plates including 3 folding panoramic views and plates of flora, fauna, and fossils; Total 57 plates. Two volumes.
Lyon, John. The Harp of Zion. S. W. Richards, Liverpool (1853). A Collection of Poems; Includes a frontispiece.
Stansbury, Howard. Exploration and Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah Including a Reconnoissance of a New Route Through the Rocky Mountains. Robert Armstrong, Washinton (1853). Includes 58 illustrations, 57 plates and a folded map.
Gunnison, John Williams. Mormons, Or, Latter-Day Saints, in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Lippincott, Grambo and Company, Philadelphia (1853). A History of Their Rise and Progress, Peculiar Doctrines, Present Condition, and Prospects, Derived from Personal Observation, During a Residence Among Them. Includes a frontispiece.
Young, Brigham. Journal of Discourses by Brigham Young president of the Church,.his two counsellors, the twelve apostles, and others, reported by G.D. Watt. F.D. and S.W. Richards, Liverpool (1854). Volume one of the original printing of the Journal of Discourses.
Ferris, Benjamin G. Utah and the Mormons. Harper and Brothers, New York (1854). The History, Government, Doctrines, Customs, and Prospects of the Latter-Day Saints from Perosnal Observation during a Six Months' Residence at Great Salt Lake City
Young, Brigham. Journal of Discourses by Brigham Young president of the Church,.his two counsellors, the twelve apostles, and others, reported by G.D. Watt. F.D. Richards, Liverpool (1855). Volume two of the original printing of the Journal of Discourses.
Stansbury, Howard. An Expedition to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Lippincott, Grambo and Company, Philadelphia (1855). Including a Description of its Geography, Natural History, and Minerals, And an Analysis of Its Waters; With an Account of the Mormon Settlement.
Chandless, William. Visit to Salt Lake. Smith, Elder and Company, London (1857). Being A Journey Across the Plains and a Residence in the Mormon Settlements at Utah; With a folding map showing the author's route bound in at title page.
Remy, Jules and Brenchley, Julius. A Journey to Great-Salt-Lake City. W. Jeffs, London (1861). With a Sketch of the History, Religion, and Customs of the Mormons, and an Introduction on the Religious Movement in the United States; Two volumes; One folding map; Frontispiece in each volume and 8 engraved plates.
Burton, Sir Richard Francis. The City of Saints, and Across the Rocky Mountains to California. Harper and Brothers, New York (1862). Two fold-outs. First US edition. With eight engraved plates and a frontispiece of the Great Salt Lake along with three maps.
Burton, Sir Richard Francis. The City of Saints, and Across the Rocky Mountains to California. Longman, Green, Longman, Ad Roberts, London (1862). Frontispiece of the Great Salt Lake, folding map and folding plan of the Great Salt Lake and City.
Dixon, William Hepworth. New America. Hurst and Blackett, London (1867). With illustrations from original photographs, eight plates. In two volumes.
Boller, Henry A. Among the Indians. T. Ellwood Zell, Philadelphia (1868). Eight Years in the Far West: 1858-1866. Embracing Sketches of Montana and Salt Lake. Includes a folding map.
McClure, Alexander K. Three Thousand Miles Through the Rocky Mountains. J.B. Lippincott and Company, Philadelphia (1869). Includes frontispiece.
Smith, Joseph. Selections from the Book of Mormon in the Deseret Alphabet.. Russell Brothers, New York (1869). The Deseret Alphabet was introduced in 1854 and was created by Parley P. Pratt, Heber C. Kimball and George D. Watt.
Hickman, William A. Brigham's Destroying Angel. Geo. A. Crofutt, New York (1872). Being the Life, Confession, and Startling Disclosures of the Notorious Bill Hickman
Stenhouse, Mrs. T. B. H. Tell It All: The Story of a Life's Experience in Mormonism.. A. D. Worthington, Hartford (1874). An Autobiography.
Young, Ann Eliza. Wife No. 19. Dustin, Gilman and Company, Hartford (1876). Or The Story of A Life in Bondage, Being A Complete Expose of Mormonism, and Revealing the Sorrows, Sacrifices and Sufferings of Women in Polygamy; Engraved frontispiece portrait of Ann Eliza
Minturn, William. Travels West. Samuel Tinsley, London (1877).
Powell, John Wesley. Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States, with a More Detailed Account of the Lands of Utah. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (1879). Illustrated with three color folding and 2 black and white maps.
Dutton, Clarence Edward; Powell, John Wesley. Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (1880). Illustrated with 11 Heliotype plates of photographs (one folding) and 2 folding plates.
Gilbert, G. K. Report of the Geology of the Henry Mountains. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (1880). Includes 5 fold-out maps.
Tullidge, Edward William. The History of Salt Lake City and Its Founders. Star Printing Company, Salt Lake City (1886). Incorporating a Brief History of the Pioneers of Utah; Illustrated with steel engravings and a portrait frontispiece.
Wyl, William. Joseph Smith, the Prophet, His Family and His Friends. Tribune Printing and Publishing Company, Salt Lake City (1886). A Study Based on Facts and Documents.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe. History of Utah. History Company, San Francisco (1890). A full color frontis. Color illustrations and black and white woodcuts are included. Frontispiece portrait of Brigham Young.
Lambourne, Alfred. Scenic Utah. J. Dewing Publishing Company, New York (1891). Pen and Pencil.
Warrum, Noble. Utah Since Statehood. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago (1919). Historical and Biographical; Four volumes
Young, John Ray. Memoirs of John R. Young, Utah Pioneer, 1847. Deseret News, Salt Lake City (1920). Illustrated with a frontis portrait of the author.
Kelly, Charles. Salt Desert Trails. Western Printing Company, Salt Lake City (1930). A History of the Hastings Cutoff and other early trails which crossed the Great Salt Desert seeking a shorter road to California.
McMurtrie, Douglas C. Beginnings of Printing in Utah. John Calhoun Club, Chicago (1931). With a Bibliography of the Issues of the Utah Press, 1849-1860; 160 copies.
Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire. McGraw Hill, New York (1968). A Season in the Wilderness; Drawings and jacket design by Peter Parnall.
Stegner, Wallace. Wilderness Letter. Red Butte Press, Salt Lake City (1995). Foreword by Page Stegner. Five original etchings by Utah artist V. Douglas Snow.