2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
The discovery of gold in California at John Sutter's timber mill in January of 1848 set off a series of events that permanently changed the physical and cultural landscape of the United States. In the early months of 1849, many Americans undertook the arduous journey to the gold fields by sea, or overland across the still untamed continent. These Americans would soon be joined by Europeans, Chileans, Australians, Hawaiians as well as the Chinese. These new arrivals would be met by resident Californios, Sonorans and the Native Americans, all of whom expected to strike it rich by simply picking the gold off the ground. This initial influx of treasure seekers soon cleared away the surface gold, and subsequent miners were forced to dig deeper into the stream beds and hillsides of California, armed with an increasingly sophisticated and destructive arsenal of tools. This lot is for a whole-plate tintype photograph, depicting a group of gold miners at work. 1860s. Overall size: 8-1/2" x 6-1/2". Minor pitting, edge discoloration, slight creasing, but generally a fine and rare image. Provenance: Swann Galleries, Sloan's.
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