(CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH) Two manuscript diaries

Sale 2065 - Lot 32

Price Realized: $ 4,370

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000

A 49ER'S VOYAGE AND DIGGINGS (CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH.) Two manuscript diaries, the first kept aboard the Ship Magnolia during its voyage from New Bedford to San Francisco, the second detailing mining for gold in Coloma -- the two written in different hands. The first 57 pages (plus a listing of the ship's passenger's stitched in). 8vo, contemporary morocco backed boards, worn; the ship's passenger list torn with loss. The second 33 pages. 8vo, contemporary paper wrappers, chipped, some staining. Vp, 8 February-28 August 1849; 12 September 1849-8 June 1850

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Additional Details

Although both the ship's journal and the diary are signed by the Captain of the Magnolia Bradford Simmons, neither appears to be in his hand. The ship's journal was likely accomplished by an officer on board, with daily entries giving the weather and location, and many references to other ships seen. The Magnolia left New Bedford on 8 February 1849, survived a hurricane several days later and reached Rio de Janeiro on 6 April, where the crew and passengers went ashore for several days. The journal includes a detailed description of the city and the royal gardens. After fighting the winds to round the Cape, the Magnolia reaches Conception Bay, Chile on 12 June and the passengers go ashore at Talcahuano. The journal includes several entries following this stop describing the preparations for the mines -- i.e. making tents and building a scow. Resuming the voyage, the ship races up the coast, with a 30 July entry describing the excitement: "The ship must have the Gold fever for she is rapidly making her way towards the Eldorado." After hitting head winds which slowed the ship and resulted in a shortage of provisions, The Magnolia finally anchored in San Francisco Bay on 28 August.