Color lithographed bird's-eye view. 29.2x71.5 cm. (11½x28¼") plus title, imprint and captions in lower margin, on sheet 42.5x80 cm (16¾x31½"); neatly affixed to matte with cloth tape at edges on verso.
Rare, early bird's-eye view of San Francisco, drawn on stone by W. Boosey from a sketch by Captn. Collinson, lithographed by M. & N. Hanhart. The view is drawn from "Signal Hill" one of the early names for Telegraph Hill, which was also then known as Windmill Hill (the windmill can be seen in the foreground). With Californio-attired men and tents in the foreground and the harbor filled with ships beyond, the view captures the frenzied growth and activity in the harbor. Based upon the biographical data for Collinson, it must be assumed that the view was drawn in the first half of 1850.
This view is remarkable for its delineation of shipping in the cove, and for what seems considerable detail and accuracy in the rendering of wharves and water lots. The shore buildings, however, may represent license by the engraver who worked from Captain Collinson's sketch. The array of peaked roof warehouses is more characteristic of London than of San Francisco at this period. Baird & Evans 73; Reps 259. Provenance: Purchased from John Howell Books.
The attribution to Captain Collinson, R.E. raises some speculation. Captain Collinson in 1851 would refer to Richard Collinson, who from 1850 to 1854 was one leading of the two British teams searching for Sir John Franklin in the arctic regions. It is possible that Collinson briefly visited San Francisco some time between January 1850 (when Collinson left Plymouth) and August 1850 (when Collinson arrived in Hong Kong). From Hong Kong, Collinson would proceed to Alaska and into the Arctic Regions. Collinson had previously been an assistant surveyor during Beechey's survey of the west coast and was actively involved in the survey of San Francisco Bay between 1835 and 1838. It is assumed that the R.E. designation (Royal Engineers) is an error, and it should be R.N. (Royal Navy).