49ers Collection

Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman (engraving)
6034638 Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman)

Punch cartoon: California, The Country for Convicts (engraving)
6034626 Punch cartoon: California, The Country for Convicts (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: California, The Country for Convicts)

The Honest Miners Songs, from the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (litho)
PNP245893 The Honest Miners Songs, from the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Western Americana; American, out of copyright

Prospectors using a sluice during the California Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho)
PNP245888 Prospectors using a sluice during the California Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Western Americana; American

Prospectors panning for gold during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (coloured engraving
PNP245895 Prospectors panning for gold during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Western Americana; American

Prospectors gather round a woman in a gold camp (colour litho)
PNP245892 Prospectors gather round a woman in a gold camp (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Prospectors during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho)
PNP245897 Prospectors during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Western Americana; American, out of copyright

Prospectors using a rocker or cradle
PNP245889 Prospectors using a rocker or cradle to wash gold dirt during the California Gold Rush of 1849 (coloured engraving) by American School

Ho! for California, illustration from the New York Atlas, 14th January
AQS251284 Ho! for California, illustration from the New York Atlas, 14th January, 1849 (litho) by American School, (19th century); American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts

Prospectors at Clear Creek, near Shasta, California, c. 1849 (b / w photo)
PNP245894 Prospectors at Clear Creek, near Shasta, California, c.1849 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American

Prospectors landing in San Francisco during the Gold Rush
Gold-seekers arriving in San Francisco to head for mining regions, 1848. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

City of San Francisco during the Gold Rush
San Francisco during the Gold Rush, seen from the foot of Telegraph Hill, early 1851. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Fortyniners washing gold from the Calaveres River, California, 1858 (oil
XTD75546 Fortyniners washing gold from the Calaveres River, California, 1858 (oil on canvas) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Goldmining in California, 1871 (colour litho)
BAL32910 Goldmining in California, 1871 (colour litho) by Currier, N. (1813-88) and Ives, J.M. (1824-95); Private Collection; (add.info.: Californian Gold Rush (1848-55); ); American, out of copyright

San Francisco post office during the Gold Rush
Newcomers line up for their mail at the San Francisco Post Office during the Gold Rush. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"49ers: The Golden Dreamers of California's Past" Step back in time to the exhilarating era of the Californian Gold Rush in 1849. Through a series of captivating images and illustrations, we catch a glimpse into the lives of the legendary 49ers who embarked on an extraordinary quest for gold. In one Punch cartoon titled "A Regular Gold Dustman, " we witness the determination etched on their faces as they tirelessly sift through dirt and gravel, hoping to strike it rich. Another engraving named "California, The Country for Convicts" hints at the diverse backgrounds these adventurers hailed from, all seeking redemption or fortune in this untamed land. The Honest Miners Songs litho reminds us that amidst hardship and uncertainty, music became a solace for these brave souls. Their voices echoed across vast landscapes as they sang tales of camaraderie and dreams unfulfilled. Prospectors using sluices during this frenzied period are depicted vividly in color lithographs. With sleeves rolled up and eyes fixed on their task, they skillfully separated precious particles from debris with unwavering focus. Panning for gold was another popular method showcased in colored engravings; prospectors patiently swirled pans filled with sediment-filled water until glimmers of hope emerged. One particularly striking image portrays prospectors gathered around a woman in a bustling gold camp. Her presence challenges traditional gender roles while highlighting how everyone played their part in shaping California's destiny. The rocker or cradle was yet another tool employed by these determined individuals; its rhythmic motion symbolizing both labor and anticipation as fortunes were sought beneath sun-drenched skies. "Ho. For California. " exclaims an illustration from the New York Atlas, capturing the excitement that gripped those who set sail towards San Francisco during this historic rush. Prospectors landing ashore faced countless challenges but remained undeterred by adversity. As our journey concludes, we glimpse the city of San Francisco during its transformative Gold Rush days.