Catalog Archive
Auction 167, Lot 134

"[Lot of 7 - Maps of California Oil Fields]",

Subject: California, Oil

Period: 1906-32 (dated)

Publication:

Color:

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A wonderful group of maps illustrating the oil boom during the early 20th century in California including:

A. What the Public Records Show - Report of the Security Title Insurance and Guarantee Company, by the Security Title Insurance and Guarantee Company, dated 1932, printed color (16.3 x 20.4"). According to the text at top, the map provides "the oil drilling leases and holdings of oil companies in the Paso Robles Structure." Oil wells are shown in red overprinting, with favorable and unfavorable tests, depths and ownership noted. The verso has text with detailed ownership and terms of leases for property on the map. Condition: Issued folding with light toning along the middle fold. (B+)

B. Street and Section Map of the Los Angeles Oil Fields, California, by U.S. Geological Survey, dated 1906, black & white (26.5 x 6.0"). This map shows a remarkable number of oil wells in downtown Los Angeles primarily from the L.A. River to Westlake Park. This map was featured in the Library of Congress exhibition on "Los Angeles Mapped" with the following description: "Edward L. Doheny's 1892 discovery of oil near downtown Los Angeles led to an oil boom around the turn of the twentieth century. Hundreds of wells were dug throughout the city, often in the front or backyards of residences." Condition: Clean, bright, issued folding. (A)

The following four maps were issued in the same bulletin as the map above, and highlight various oil wells in California:

C. Geologic Map of the Region of the Los Angeles Oil Fields, California, by U.S. Geological Survey, dated 1906, printed color (13.8 x 6.5"). Condition: Clean and bright. Issued folding. (A)
D. Township and Section Map of the Puente Hills Oil District, Southern California, by U.S. Geological Survey, circa 1906, black & white (20.5 x 6.8"). Condition: Clean and bright. Issued folding (A)
E. Geologic Map of the Oil Fields of the Puente Hills, California, by U.S. Geological Survey, dated 1906, printed color (17.1 x 6.9"). Condition: Clean and bright. Issued folding. (A)
F. Township and Section Map of the Santa Clara Valley and Adjacent Oil Fields, California, by U.S. Geological Survey, dated 1906, black & white (21.9 x 6.3"). Condition: Clean and bright. Issued folding. (A)

G. Geologic and Topographic Map of the Coalinga Oil Field, Fresno County, California..., by U.S. Geological Survey, dated 1909, printed color (26.9 x 37.5"). Large map showing the Coalinga Oil Field in Fresno. Identifies producing wells, abandoned wells, unfinished wells, underground contours, and property owners. Condition: Issued folding with light toning and numerous tiny splits at fold intersections. (B+)

References:

Condition:

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Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $240

Closed on 3/28/2018

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