With a Rare 1849 Map of California.

This early German description of California was published to take advantage of the keen European interest in the California gold discovery. Like many such publications, the author drew heavily upon previous travel accounts, including Duflot de Mofras, John C. Frémont, Alfred Robinson, and Alexander Forbes. Hoppe’s introduction to California consisted mainly of a geographical and historical discussion together with a climatography by Professor Erman. Erman also wrote on the discovery and importance of gold, based on information gathered during a visit to San Francisco while circumnavigating the globe. Hoppe was interested in promoting the European colonization of the West Coast of North America.

The full title of the book is: Californiens Gegenwart und Zukunft von J. Hoppe Nebst Beitragen von A. Erman Uber die Klimatologie von Californien und Über die Geographische Verbreitung des Goldes. Hierzu Zwei Karten: 1) Californien von J. Hoppe. 2) Die bis 1849 Bekannt Gewordenen Golddistrikte von A. Erman.

The map of California stretches from the southernmost tip of Baja to the Columbia River. It is titled "Karte von Californien." We have not had the map before.

The map of the world is titled "Hauptzuge der geographischen Verbreitung des Goldes die bis. z. Jahre 1849 bekannt sind." and shows global gold discoveries up to 1849.

Provenance

The Charles Kenny McClatchy Collection.