Correspondence, news clippings, ephemera, printed materials, and other documents pertaining to the discovery, investigation, and custody of Drake's Plate of Brasse, found in Marin County in 1937, which carried an inscription declaring Sir Francis Drake's claim of the land on behalf of the English monarch; together with some general correspondence of the California Historical Society and its publication, California Historical Society Quarterly (1947-1956). Chickering organized subscriptions to finance acquisition of the plate and was involved in the controversy regarding its authenticity. Includes metallurgists' reports, with photographic plates, concerning related archaeological study and objects found in the vicinity of the plate's discovery.

Chickering was president of California Historical Society in 1937 when the supposed Drake "Plate of Brasse" was found. He organized subscriptions to finance its acquisition and was involved in the controversy regarding its authenticity. He was also in touch with the later archaeological work carried out in Marin County.

(1.0 linear feet)

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Collection is open for research.