When Buffalo Ran by George Bird Grinnell. Published by Yale University Press, New
Haven, 1920. Decorated hardcover. First printing. No DJ. Historical fiction,
based on a true story, set among the Plains Indians, illustrated with black and
white plates from photographs. George Bird Grinnell was an American
anthropologist, historian, naturalist, and writer. Grinnell(1849-1938) won distinction as an ethnologist, author, editor, and
explorer, perhaps his most enduring achievement was that cited by President
Coolidge when he presented the Theodore Roosevelt Gold Medal of Honor to
Grinnell in 1925: "Few have done as much as you, and none has done more,
to preserve vast areas of picturesque wilderness for the eyes of
posterity...." It was largely thanks to Grinnell that Glacier National
Park was created, and in Yellowstone Park, as the President said, he
"prevented the exploitation and therefore the destruction of the natural
beauty." Grinnell was a member of the Marsh, Custer, and Ludlow
expeditions in the 1870's, and during those years prepared reports on birds and
mammals of the northwestern Great Plains region which are still authoritative.
114 pages. A few bent corners and the outer spine ends are weakening. Old owner
bookplate. The main text is clean and tight. See images.