Lithographed map. 68x43.5 cm (26¾x17¼").
Rare and apparently separately issued map of the gold region along the American River from Sutterville to Mormon Island. Copies of the map seem to have been present in some issues of a pamphlet by Judah, "Report of the Chief Engineer of the Preliminary Surveys and Future Business of the Sacramento Valley Railroad," Sacramento, 1854, but the present example, though with folds, does not show signs that it was bound in covers or with text. The map shows the projected line of what was to be the first railroad in California (and indeed west of the Mississippi), promising not only wealth to investors but also an improved and expeditious route for prospectors and freight headed to and from the gold fields. Construction began in February of 1855, with completion a year later. The railroad operated independently for the next decade, when it was purchased by the Central Pacific Railroad. Judah became chief engineer for the CPRR, and surveyed the route through the Sierra Nevada, though failing to live to see the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Warren Heckrotte notes "There do not appear to be many large scale printed maps such as this of any part of the Gold Region."
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Provenance: Harrison, 5/93
There is a Judah pamphlet, Report of the Chief Engineer of the Preliminary Surveys and Future Business of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, Sacramento, 1854. According to Modelski, the map which accompanies this work is a general map of northern California: Map Showing the location of Sacramento Valley Railroad. Cal. Sept. 7th, 1854. (Modelski, no. 16, ( R )). However, the Bancroft Library catalogue states that the map showing the railroad to Negro Bar, though removed, goes with the pamphlet. The California State Library copy of this pamphlet is in wrappers, a presentation copy, and does not have, and apparently never had a map. The pamphlet, Report of The Committee of Board of Directors of the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company, Sacramento 1855, is listed in the Anderson Galleries auction catalogue, 11/27,28,29/22, lot 249, pp 12, sewn and with both maps printed on tissue (it brought $40). The Bancroft has Judah's copy of this map with his corrections and additions. Serendipity Books acquired this map from someone in Berkeley. I was told about it by several including Russ Pearce and Ken Harrison. But, they said, Peter Howard had promised it to a book seller in Sacramento. He sent it to him, but he concluded that it came from a pamphlet and wasn't interested and sent it back. Ken then bought it and sold it to me..., happily for me.
References: Modelski, Railroad Maps of North America, 1984, no. 15 ( R ), but with incorrect dimensions in inches given. W-GR 263. California 49, map 35 (Rep, my copy). Gudde, California Gold Camps. Severson, Sacramento, reproduces the manuscript version of this map; the manuscript is at the Society of California Pioneers.