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Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Title: George H. Baker Subscription Book.
Creator:
Baker, Geo. H. (George Holbrook), 1827-1906
Identifier/Call Number: C058752
Physical Description:
1 folder
Bound, Handwritten in ink
Date (inclusive): 1863-1865
Abstract: This file contains the hand written, in ink, subscription book for George H. Baker's lithograph titled, "Birds-eye view of
Sacramento, California". The hard bound book is in good condition with the binding firmly intact. The paper pages are in good
condition and the hand writing is clear and legible throughout.
Language of Material:
English
.
This file contains the hand written, in ink, subscription book for George H. Baker's lithograph titled, "Birds-eye view of
Sacramento, California". The hard bound book is in good condition with the binding firmly intact. The paper pages are in good
condition and the hand writing is clear and legible throughout. From the many names listed in his book, it appears his business
was a success. Subscribers could get the Birds-eye View of Sacramento for $5. The first 16 pages of the book lists subscriptions
to purchase Baker's Birdseye View of Sacramento. The balance of the book is a cash accounts book for 1863 to 1865.
George H. Baker joined the Gold Rush to California, arriving at San Francisco in May, 1849. His sketch "Port of San Francisco,
1849" was lithographed and published in the NY Tribune in August, 1849. From 1852 to 1862 Baker worked in Sacramento running
several merchandising businesses; he also edited and published two periodicals, continued to sketch (mostly mining scenes),
and made a series of woodcuts of California views. He drew and published a large and detailed lithograph of Sacramento as
it looked in 1857 (his account book listing subscribers and advertising costs is housed at the Society of California Pioneers).
He moved back permanently to SF in 1862, establishing a lithography and publishing firm. H specialized in broadsides, advertising
cards, views of buildings, stock certificates, maps, letter sheets and birds-eye views.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs George Lilly (daughter) and Charles H. Baker (son), 1931
Existence and Location of Originals
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery St., Suite 150 The Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco CA, 94129
George H. Baker Subscription Book, The Society of California Pioneers
Collection open for research
The Society has 3 of George H Bakers Diaries: C058749, covering the first leg of his journey from Boston to New Orleans in
January 1849; C058750, covering painting in New England in 1848; C058751, covering his arrival in California his arrival in
California in May 1849 and his time in California until Aaugust 1850. The Society also has the Subscription Book for his Birds
Eye view of Sacramento, C058752. Finally, they also have the George Holbrook Papers, C057707.
George H. Baker was a member of The Society of California Pioneers. The Society has the following institutional records for
him: Archives Record, vol.1, p.29 and Mortuary Record, 1892-1906, p. 200. He joined the Society on March 2, 1863.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Art, American -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area -- 19th century.
Artists -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area
Sacramento (Calif.) - History - 19th century.
Pioneers -- California
Frontier and pioneer life – California