[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY - GOLD MINING]. MOULTHROP, Major (d. 1889), photographer, attrib. Sixth plate daguerreotype of the Bark Anna Reynolds departing for California in March 1849.

Sixth plate daguerreotype. (Image a bit dark, tarnish to edges). Housed in a full pressed leather case. Penciled in the case behind the image is the inscription, “Bark Anna Reynolds shipped for California with 60 men on March 10th 1849. Taken by E Moulthrop New Haven. Mr. Nelson Kingsley." Attributed to Major Moulthrop, New Haven, Connecticut.

The story of the Anna Reynolds and her passengers is the subject of a short article in a 2010 issue of The Daguerreian Society Quarterly, and this description is drawn from that source.

The discovery of gold in California resulted in one of the greatest mass population movements in world history. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of treasure seekers flocked to the west coast. Among them was a syndicate – the New Haven and California joint stock company -- of 60 men from New Haven each of whom contributed $300 to purchase the Reynolds for transportation to the gold fields. After 255 days at sea they arrived in San Francisco on 22 November 1849. Like most, their dream of fortune was elusive. By 1850, the company broke up and many could not afford a ticket for passage home. Nelson Kingsley, the owner of this daguerreotype was fortunate. After selling his claim and settling his debts, he was left with $200 and memories of 15th months in the gold fields.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY - GOLD MINING]. MOULTHROP, Major (d. 1889), photographer, attrib. Sixth plate daguerreotype of the Bark Anna Reynolds departing for California in March 1849.