Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Collection contains 48 pictorial lettersheets from 1849 to 1875. Pictorial lettersheets are writing paper illustrated with lithographs or wood engravings depicting San Francisco and California mining themes and are a visual account of the Gold Rush. Topics and scenes include San Francisco views, fires and earthquakes, public executions, activities of the Committees of Vigilance, and mining and camp life. Places featured include San Francisco, Sacramento, Placerville, Sonora, and Grass Valley.
- Extent:
- 1 box (.5 Linear feet)
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], California Pictorial Lettersheet Collection (SFP 107), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection contains 48 pictorial lettersheets from 1849 to 1875. Pictorial lettersheets are writing paper illustrated with lithographs or wood engravings depicting San Francisco and California mining themes and are a visual account of the Gold Rush. Topics and scenes include San Francisco views, fires and earthquakes, public executions, activities of the Committees of Vigilance, and mining and camp life. A few satirize the California experience and the miner’s experiences. Places featured include San Francisco, Sacramento, Placerville, Sonora, and Grass Valley. The lettersheets in the collection were created by numerous California artists, engravers, lithographers, and publishers, notably: Britton and Rey (San Francisco); Quirot and Co., Justh and Co., and Justh, Quirot and Co. (San Francisco); James M. Hutchings and Hutchings and Rosenfield (San Francisco); Cooke and LeCount (San Francisco); Charles P. Kimball and the Noisy Carrier's Publishing Hall (San Francisco).
- Acquisition information:
- This artificial collection of pictorial lettersheets was assembled through gifts and purchases by the San Francisco History Center.
- Arrangement:
-
Lettersheets are arranged alphabetically by title of sheet.
- Physical location:
- The collection is stored onsite.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Gold mines and mining -- California.
Gold miners--California--Pictorial works.
Pictorial lettersheets. - Places:
- California--Gold discoveries--Pictorial works.
California--Pictorial works.
Executions and executioners--California--Pictorial works.
Fires--California--San Francisco--Pictorial works.
Lithography--California.
Vigilance committees--California--San Francisco--Pictorial works.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center's Photo Desk hours.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], California Pictorial Lettersheet Collection (SFP 107), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567