Catalog Archive
Auction 118, Lot 313

"Upper Mines Nos 1 & 8 [on sheet with] Lower Mines or Mormon Diggings No. 3", U.S. Government

Subject: California

Period: 1848 (published)

Publication: HR Doc, No. 1, 30th Congress, Second Session

Color: Black & White

Size:
6.3 x 9 inches
16 x 22.9 cm
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These interesting little maps were made by Lt. William T. Sherman, of later Civil War fame, who drew the maps when he was working as an adjutant to U.S. Military Gov. Mason. Gold was first discovered in January 1848 and Sutter tried in vain to keep the discovery quiet. In July, Col. Mason, the Military Governor of California, toured the diggings and sent a report to the President officially announcing the discovery of gold. These maps were a part of this important report, and spawned the great California Gold Rush

. The map at the top of the sheet shows the Upper Mines along the South Fork of the American River and shows where James Marshall first found gold. The lower map depicts numerous tents surrounding a store with a large area of the bar marked GOLD.

References: Wheat (Gold) #52.

Condition: A

Tiny chip in bottom margin, well away from maps.

Estimate: $190 - $240

Unsold

Closed on 3/6/2007

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