Mexico & California engravings, 1846, Illust. London News, ORIGINAL.

- 11 x 16 inches approx. (typical newspaper page size).

- note: this was before the California gold rush of '49, and before the birth of the city San Francisco.  In 1846, the region of Alta-California was Mexican, an impoverished region of Ranchos (huge land-holdings) mainly for cattle-raising.  It was a mere Territory, not rich enough to be a Mexican State.  The Spanish Catholic Missions and their influence were still declining from their first blow...defeat of the Spanish by the Mexicans in 1821. 

- note: Engravings were etchings inscribed onto print blocks.  The source of the etchings were pencil/charcoal sketches made by artists hired by the newspapers to visit news events on site, and sketch on an easel...with an eagle-eye view but out of danger.  It usually took at least 1-2 weeks for the sketches to get to the printer's office and then get inscribed onto print blocks.  Most newspaper engravings carry the name of the sketch artist who was at the scene, some of whom became famous for their artistry. At this time, photography was a very new technology with little use by the press.

includes:  one full, unfolded sheet, two sides.  On one side is UK news.  The important side contains 4 engravings:

1. "American Indemnity on the way to Vera Cruz" (6.25 x 5 inches approx.) 

2. "Santa Barbara - Alta California"  (4.5 x 4.4 inches)

3. "Anchorage at Yerba Buena, St. Francisco, Alta California" (4.5 x 4.4 inches)

4. "Mexico - Man's Hand Mountain" (6.25 x 5 inches approx.)

Most of the text around the engravings (very small font) relates to them. 

Condition:  Very Good Condition for this antique news-sheet.  Paper shows just light age-tanning, with no marks, stains, foxing, tears, or folds.  Engravings are clear and unblemished.  This specimen was kept against cardboard support, under plastic, for the past several decades, which accounts for its great condition.  The  engravings are collectible...frame-able.  Item will be mailed in a protective poly bag, inside a crush-resistant mailing tube.