zamorano

Arguably one of the more important figures in early California history, Don Agustin Juan Vicente Zamorano (1798-1842) first came to California in 1825 as the executive secretary of the territory of Alta California, and went on to become commandant of the most important military base in the territory, the presidio of Monterey, and even was the acting governor of the territory for a year. Zamorano is best known, however, for being the first printer in California.

Arriving with Governor Don Jose Maria de Echeandia in the fall of 1825, Zamorano became involved in California affairs during the transitional period following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821 and its adoption of a republican constitution in 1824.

Zamorano imported the first printing press to be set up west of the Rocky Mountains in 1826. From 1826 to 1831, he created letterheads from woodblocks and type, pounding proofs without a press. With the acquisition of a press in 1834, Zamorano issued eleven broadsides, six books, and six miscellaneous works, in addition to numerous letterheads, before departing California in 1838. The small books and proclamations issued by Zamorano are extremely rare, and represent the earliest printing in the Far West.

Through the use of source materials, including Zamorano's reports to the Mexican government, proclamations to the people of California, and letters to and about Zamorano, author Harding establishes Zamorano's connection with the history of California from 1825 to 1838.

Originally published in 1934 in an edition of only 325 copies by the Zamorano Club, a well-known Los Angeles organization of book collectors, printers, and librarians, Don Agustin V. Zamorano tells the life history of the man who brought the art of printing to California. Long out of print and unavailable, the second edition of this important biography is offered now with a new introduction.