Upper and Lower Gold Mines on the South Fork of the American River

RICHARD B. MASON (1797-1850)
Upper and Lower Gold Mines on the South Fork of the American River
Washington D.C., 1848
Lithograph
9.25 x 18 inches (framed)
$16,000

Early map of the gold mines, covering Sacramento, the American River and its South Fork, Webers Creek, etc. The map was actually drawn by William T. Sherman, then a young lieutenant, who assisted R.B. Mason. Issued in U.S. House Ex. Doc. No. 1, 30th Congress, Second Session, accompanying the Report of Col. Richard B. Mason, published with President Polk's Message to Congress of Dec. 5, 1848. Mason sent samples of gold along with his report, and there are numbers printed on the map which indicate where the various pieces came from.