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CA - 1853 - Tapscott's Emigration Packets Postal Gold Rush Era Broadside

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Postcards Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,500.00 USD
CA - 1853 - Tapscott's Emigration Packets Postal  Gold Rush Era Broadside
Session D is a Mail-Bid Only Auction. Absentee bids will be accepted only. No live bidding will be allowed. All winners will be contacted after the auction. BIDDING ENDS MONDAY JUNE 27 AT 5PM PACIFIC TIME!!!
Gold Rush Era Broadside mailer, folded in half and addressed to Mr. R.H. Bowman, Portsmouth, London. Postmarked Liverpool, JA25, 1853, probably requested by an individual considering a move to America. Measures 8 1/4" x 5 1/4", on light blue paper, printed with bright red border and print. Text notes: "Tapscott's Emigration Packets/ Sail From/ Liverpool/ For/ New York, & Other American Ports,/ Every Five Days./ Apply To W. Tapscott & Co.,/ Liverpool./ Above 45,000 Souls Sailed by 'Tapscott's Favorite Line,' in 1852."

Considering the broadside's date and postmark, one might assume that part of the draw to America was the wealth buried in the gold fields of California. After 1842, a major exodus was underway in England, and an ad stated: "Gold is to be found in almost every locality, on the lands, on the mountains, in valleys, in rocks and streams, in rivers, gullies and holes." Another announcement read that the California area was "...capable of employing 200,000 individuals for centuries to come." With this kind of encouragement, companies like W. Tapscott began advertising their passenger lines to America. The fare by ship from Liverpool to New York was likely about $18, which might have included bread, water, flour, oatmeal, salt pork, sugar, tea, and molasses. As the rush continued and surface gold became considerably more rare, those with experience in hardrock mining, like miners from Cornwall, probably felt their chances for employment were improved even further [Ref: ncgold.com/History/BecomingCA]. Several stains near lower right, a small tear near the center top, with areas removed from upper/center/lower right edge. Otherwise, very fine. It is estimated that once gold was discovered in California, the British came in numbers that some estimate to be as much as 10% of their male population. Experienced miners emigrated in such numbers that it was not uncommon for English mines to close for the loss of experienced workers. William Tapscott & Company were the first in England to take advantage of the rush for California gold, even maintaining an office in San Francisco.