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California Pictorial Lettersheet Collection
SFP 107
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Title: California Pictorial Lettersheet Collection
Date (inclusive): 1849-1875
Identifier/Call Number: SFP 107
Physical Description:
1 box
(.5 Linear feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
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.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center's Photo Desk hours.
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.
[Identification of item], California Pictorial Lettersheet Collection (SFP 107), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco
Public Library.
This artificial collection of pictorial lettersheets was assembled through gifts and purchases by the San Francisco History
Center.
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).
Lettersheets are arranged alphabetically by title of sheet.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gold mines and mining -- California.
California--Gold discoveries--Pictorial works.
California--Pictorial works.
Executions and executioners--California--Pictorial works.
Fires--California--San Francisco--Pictorial works.
Gold miners--California--Pictorial works.
Lithography--California.
Pictorial lettersheets.
Vigilance committees--California--San Francisco--Pictorial works.