Munroe, Ralph M. and Gilpin, Vincent. THE COMMODORE'S STORY. (New York): Ives Washburn, 1930. With a preface by Herbert L. Stone. xv, 384 p.; frontispiece, illustrations, plates, portraits. 25 cm. Bound in navy blue cloth with gold stamping. Contains 56 half-tone plates and an index.

This copy is a first edition and is near fine in a better than very good dust jacket. It is signed by Ralph Munroe on the dedication page in light black ink  (A3-0107). $1200.00

There were no roads. Describing a time when all local travel was by boat, this book contains one of the few contemporary descriptions of pioneer life in early Miami history. Ralph Munroe first came to Coconut Grove as a tourist in 1877 and then bought a home site and settled here in 1889. There were about twenty residents of Dade County at that time. He became a well known designer of small sailing boats, founded the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and donated the land for the first public library. Munroe was also an accomplished amateur photographer. This book is illustrated with wonderful pictures that allow us to see what Miami looked like in pioneer times.

A second hardback edition, photographically reproduced from the original, was published by the South Florida Historical Association in 1966. It was then reprinted as a trade paperback in third, fourth, and fifth printings in 1974, 1985, and 1990.