Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Modo di affinare e partire l'oro dall'argento, et altro belle cose segrete, che non sone molto volgare
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Manuscripts
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
In this 18 page letter to his sister, C.E. Reynolds documents his excitement and "gold fever." Upon hearing of the steamer "City of Portland" landed at Seattle with $3,000,000 worth of gold dust, he concluded that the only cure was to "try it," so he boarded the steamer "Queen" in Seattle landing in Skagway. He goes on to describe the difficulties of transporting gear and goods from Skagway to Lake Bennett, Dawson City and then a further journey of six hundred miles. He then goes into the mineral wealth of the region, prospecting and the types of mining and claims. There are a few pages concerning climate, geography, flora and fauna. Another couple of pages describe miners' cabins, and the high cost of food and clothing. Yet another couple of pages describe the many dogs he encountered. He and his company of six men had six dogs to pull the provisions, tents and bedding. The letter ends with him thanking his sister for her patience and after all the detailed account thinks he could not do the subject justice even though he had been repeatedly asked to speak about his experiences.
mssHM 16380
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Manuscripts
A wide-ranging letter from August F. W. Partz to his business partner C. Elton Buck. This letter begins with his efforts to gain control over a massive mercury mine near New Idria, CA, what he describes as "the biggest quicksilver property in the world." He goes on to describe a new desulphurizing process, a variety of negotiations for the purchase of gold mines, plans for a stamp mill at Blind Springs, and a wealth of other mining topics. This is not a Gold Rush letter from a humble prospector, but rather from an industrialist thinking on a large scale. With a full typed transcript. Written in San Francisco; with numerous editorial marks and revisions.
mssHM 82585
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Manuscripts
A micrographic drawing of Marie Anne Victorie, the Dauphine of France on a horse-drawn chariot surrounded by illustrations of allegorical figures. Images include an angel, a lion with a royal crest, cherubs, and a man symbolizing Hercules. The drawing is formed entirely of microscopic text from an accompanying volume containing 221 folios of an Italian poem by Ignatio Francesco Muligin honoring the Dauphine. The drawing's letters are read horizontally with a microscope or magnifying glass. The volume is in contemporary binding of red morocco with gilt spine and edges. Drawing possibly illustrated by Pierre Mignard (1612-1695), and volume bound by Bernard Bernache (active 1684-1721).
mssHM 84368
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Manuscripts
This manuscript is a collection of pages from the journal of E. Holbrook. The pages are dated between 1846 and 1863, and appear to have been removed from longer manuscripts. Most of the journal describes Holbrook's travels through California and attempts at searching for gold. He sees soldiers at drill and participates in the 1854 state election. In July 1857, he writes of the robbing of a Chinese camp by men disguised as Indians and Mexicans. When witnessing a hanging in December 1858, Holbrook writes, "its time public executions were done away with." In 1859, he returns home to New York. In 1861, Holbrook calls the period of secession "exciting and important months in the history of our country and of liberty universally."
mssHM 2280
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Manuscripts
In the diary, Benedict describes his travels by train through the American West and Canada. He begins in Chicago, travels to San Diego, then heads north along the Pacific Coast to Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, and finally travels through Canada back to Ontario. Benedict talks about the different regions he passes through and the various scenic attractions, and the populations found in western cities, including Chinese districts and Mormons in Salt Lake City. He also makes comments on the large numbers of gold seekers in San Francisco, Portland, and Tacoma, waiting to depart for the Klondike gold rush. Loose in the diary are three items including notes, Benedict's business card, and a promotional booklet for Riverside, California entitled "The Greatest Orange Growing City in the World."
mssHM 84028
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Manuscripts
Letter to Henry Huntington asking for his aid to enable the Pasadena Boy Scouts to aid French boys to attend summer camp. She relates that the atmosphere created in the Boy Scout organization is extremely beneficial to boys in the devastated areas and to France in general. She goes on to relate the good work the Committee had undertaken under the direction of Miss Jesse Carson and is enclosing a copy of the report in hopes that he has time to read it. Mrs. Seager writes that she would appreciate any aid of suggestions Mr. Huntington might have and gives Mrs. Howard Huntington as a reference concerning the work of the Committee. Mrs. Seager writes that she will be away all summer in New England on Committee business, but her correspondence will be handled by Dr, George E. Hale's secretary. She asks for a short interview with Mr. Huntington when she returns in the fall. Letter is on American Committee for Devastated France letterhead.
mssHM 47841