Rarely-seen, first edition of this map by French mining engineer M. P. Laur of the Gold Regions in California. The map shows the state from Crescent City to St Luis Obispo. The Gold Regions are printed in red hachure. The cartography seems to come from a couple different sources, but is based primarily on Fremont's map of the region.
Map was originally extracted from an 1863 print of ANNALES DES MINES ou recueil de memoires sur l'exploitation des mines et sure les sciences et les arts qui s'y rattachent redigees par Les Ingenieurs des Mines et publiees sous l'autorisation de Ministre des Travaux Publics. (ANNALS OF MINES or collection of memoirs on mining and related sciences and arts written by Mining Engineers and published under the authorization of the Minister of Public Works)
Sheet measures approx 54.5cm high x 51cm wide
Line of map measures approx 50.5cm high x 44cm wide
Please note this is a folding map.
Condition Report:
Map has some general light handling creases in places but nothing significant or overly noticeable, mainly to folds around edges. No notable marks apart from watermark mentioned below.
Folds all good and neat for age, no notable weakness.
Edges good with a little very light handling wear in spots but nothing overly noticeable.
Very small hole visible when held against light at join of fold between Oroville and Downieville
Mainly of note is some light brown watermarking spots which extends
- about 15mm from top edge and a little further down folds.
- Similarly around a 40mm square around the join of folds near Downieville and Clear Lake (this mainly visible to reverse, not particularly to front.
- A Similar sized square to join of folds at top right of text box, lightly visible
- Small light mark to left hand edge of top fold.
- Bottom edge, to corners and joins of folds, extending up between 10mm and 50mm up the folds.
See photo of reverse for best example of extent of watermarking