David K
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The Dawson Book Shop Baja California Travels Series: 51 volumes
Beginning in 1965 and going to 1992, The Dawson Book Shop published 50 books on Baja California history or natural science plus an index book.
This set is the ultimate prize of any Baja book collector or researcher. A complete set has fetched up to $5,000 at one time. The last set sold was
closer to $1,000. They are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" hardback books. Typically, from 300-600 copies of each volume were printed.
I had begun collecting them many years ago, in no particular order, just as I could find them for sale or could afford to buy them (usually about $40
each). When I was blessed to take home the remaining book collection of Mike McMahan (Baja wall map and book author) a few years ago, my set was
complete, except for one volume (#49)! However, that book was originally published outside of the Dawson series, and I have it that way. That one is
Baja California Railways (1988). Many of the volumes are the letters and records of the missionaries (translated into English) and were a wonderful
resource to supplement my writings.
The index book (#50) was to finish the series. However, when the mine book, 'Modest Fortunes', was produced, Dawson insisted it be #51!
Here is the list of the 49 books as described in the index book (#50), plus the image of #51.
Some of images of a few of the Dawson books:
If you seek Baja California history from some of the most direct sources as possible, these are the books for you! 
[Edited on 4-21-2021 by David K]
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KRB
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Any one know what a complete set sells fo these days?
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John M
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Location: California High Desert
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Complete set value
I've seen individual volumes sell for between $20 and $150 each. Once in a while some volumes are even lower cost. I haven't seen a complete set
offered in some time and I try to keep track of this. Generally, the 51 volumes in fine condition will be north of $1,500 and I've seen them offered
for as much as $2,000. Individual titles were printed in the range of as few as 300 to as many as 750 copies.
Rare Western Americana book auctions would be the place to start to look.
John M
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David K
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Posts: 64842
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Location: San Diego County
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John, even though I have the Railways book, published outside of the Dawson set, if you ever find #49... and I can afford it, let me know so I have a
proper complete set. Thanks!
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KRB
Junior Nomad
Posts: 26
Registered: 11-29-2019
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Any one know what a complete set sells fo these days?
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1921
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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KRB - watch here
KRB, over the years two of the sets I've seen have been offered by PBA Galleries auction house; you can get on their email list to become aware of
upcoming auctions, and I'm sure there are other Western Americana sites.
David - I wonder if there is any difference in the two books - the Dawson's and the one more commonly available. They do have different ISBN numbers.
Included is the World Cat listing for both
The photo on the cover on the Golden West book is the Frontispiece illustration of the Dawson's book. Dawson's is a plain orange cover in keeping with
the Dawson style.
The publishing information from inside the back cover of the Dawson book is below - not a great image but I didn't want to open the spine -
John
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David K
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Posts: 64842
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Location: San Diego County
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Yes, interesting... it says 'special edition' for Dawson's Book Shop. That usually means it has more (or less) than the original... or maybe that it
is just smaller in size to match the Dawson book series?
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