$150.00 CAD
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Moses Cook is writing to his friend George Wilber with the tales of people he has talked to who went on the California Gold rush and returned with stories of easy fortunes. He is trying to convince his friend to go with him next spring.
Adressed to 'Mr. George Wilber Belvidere Ill.' Some hand-written markings at top for postage paid.
Moses died during the Civil War.
Paper with embossing UL corner, paper maker.
Folds and creases. Some age toning on folds. Outside smudged. Paper missing where opened on seal.
12 ½” x 7 ⅝”
The discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 sparked the California Gold Rush, arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century. As news spread of the discovery, thousands of prospective gold miners traveled by sea or over land to San Francisco and the surrounding area; by the end of 1849, the non-native population of the California territory was some 100,000 (compared with the pre-1848 figure of less than 1,000). A total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted from the area during the Gold Rush, which peaked in 1852.
