Gold Rush Collection

Australian Gold Rush prospectors, 1850s
Australian prospectors panning for gold, 1850s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Leadville, a Colorado boom town, 1870s
Chestnut Street in Leadville, Colorado, during the mining boom, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

CALIFORNIA: GOLD MINING. Lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1871

CHAPLIN: GOLD RUSH. 1925. Charlie Chaplin eating his shoe in a scene from his film The Gold Rush, 1925

Sutters Mill, site of the first gold discovery in California
Sutters Mill replica on the American River, where the Gold Rush began, Coloma, California. Digital photograph

Panning for gold, California
Reenactor panning for gold on the American River, where the Gold Rush started, Coloma, California. Digital photograph

USA; California; West Coast; Jacksonville; Oregon

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USA, California, Gold Country, Grass Valley: Empire Mine State Historic Park/Gold Mine Gold Mine, Main Mine Shaft

AUSTRALIA: GOLD RUSH, 1895. A general store in the town of Coolgardie, Western Australia, 1895-1897, during the gold rush of the 1890s

SUTTERs MILL, c1850. James Marshall, prospector, standing in front of Sutters Mill, where he discovered gold, Coloma, California. Photograph, c1850

CALIFORNIA GOLDMINER, 1850. Contemporary colored engraving

EVNT2A-00012
Prospectors panning for gold in the California Gold Rush. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

The Klondike Gold Rush - Gold seekers crossing the Chilkoot Pass during the Alaskan Gold
XEE4153670 The Klondike Gold Rush - Gold seekers crossing the Chilkoot Pass during the Alaskan Gold Rush, 1897 - The Klondike Gold Rush by Unknown Artist

A Land-Rush in the United States, the Crowd waiting to take Possession of the New Country (litho)
1063124 A Land-Rush in the United States, the Crowd waiting to take Possession of the New Country (litho) by English School

Hydraulic mining at Michigan City (later Michigan Bluff) in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California
CALIFORNIA: MINING, 1850s. Hydraulic mining at Michigan City (later Michigan Bluff) in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. From a daguerreotype, 1850s

CHAPLIN: THE GOLD RUSH. Charlie Chaplin in a scene from The Gold Rush, 1925

Poster advertising the gold mines in California (colour engraving)
XIR164526 Poster advertising the gold mines in California (colour engraving) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Virginia City, Montana, a living gold rush town in western Montana

FILMING THE GOLD RUSH. Charlie Chaplin being filmed, probably in a scene for The Gold Rush, which he also directed, 1925

Taking gold from Chatanika, sluice-box, between c1900 and c1930. Creator: Unknown
Taking gold from Chatanika, sluice-box, between c1900 and c1930

Group portrait of a woman and three men, crouched outside, smiling; one... between c1900 and 1916. Creator: Unknown
Group portrait of a woman and three men, crouched outside, smiling; one of the men is displaying a dish of panned gold, between c1900 and 1916

Gold Fever Prospectors going to the new Gold Field, 1889. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Gold Fever Prospectors going to the new Gold Field, 1889. Five men (some holding pick axes) standing next to a wagon pulled by oxen

Hunting Deer A deer hunt near Deadwood in winter 87 and 88 Two miners McMillan and... 1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Hunting Deer. A deer hunt near Deadwood in winter 87 and 88. Two miners McMillan and Hubbard got their game []. Two hunters around camp fire; one cooking

Deadwood, [SD] from Mrs Livingston's Hill, between 1887 and 1892. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Deadwood, [SD] from Mrs Livingston's Hill, between 1887 and 1892. Small city surrounded by hills

We have it rich Washing and panning gold, Rockerville, Dak Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb... 1889. Creator: John C. H
We have it rich. Washing and panning gold, Rockerville, Dak. Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb and Dillon at work []. Showing three men, with a dog, panning for gold in a stream. Title transcribed from item

Altitude Part of Deadwood as seen from big flume, showing steps, stairways... between 1887 and 92. Creator: John C. H
Altitude Part of Deadwood as seen from big flume, showing steps, stairways, and roads from store to residence, between 1887 and 1892

Gold Dust Placer mining at Rockerville, Dak Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb and Dillon at work, 1889. Creator: John C. H
Gold Dust Placer mining at Rockerville, Dak Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb and Dillon at work, 1889. Three men placer mining with shovels, picks and pan

Deadwood, [SD] from Engleside, 1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Deadwood, [SD] from Engleside, 1888. Overview of homes and commercial buildings in small city; trees and mountains in background

A Golden work Hydroulic [sic] mining at Rockdrville [ie Rockerville], Dak, 1889. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
A Golden work Hydroulic [sic] mining at Rockdrville [ie Rockerville], Dak, 1889. Three men overseeing hydraulic equipment

Deadwood, [SD] from McGovern Hill, 1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Deadwood, [SD] from McGovern Hill, 1888. Bird's-eye view of small city; trees and mountains in background

Mills and mines Part of the great Homestake works, Lead City, Dak, 1889. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Mills and mines Part of the great Homestake works, Lead City, Dak, 1889. Bird's-eye view of mining factory, Homestake Works

Deadwood From Mt Moriah, 1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Deadwood From Mt Moriah, 1888. Bird's-eye view of a section of Deadwood, South Dakota; trees and hills in background

Wells Fargo Express Co Deadwood Treasure Wagon and Guards with $250, 000 gold bullion... 1890, 1890. Creator: John C
Wells Fargo Express Co. Deadwood Treasure Wagon and Guards with $250, 000 gold bullion from the Great Homestake Mine, Deadwood, S.D. 1890 []

Topographical sketch of the gold & quicksilver district of California, 1848. Creator: Edward Ord
Topographical sketch of the gold & quicksilver district of California, 1848. Published in July 1848 after the first gold strikes at Sutter's Mill on the American River in northern California

Millroy's map of Alaska and the Klondyke gold fields, 1897. Creator: J. J. Millroy
Millroy's map of Alaska and the Klondyke gold fields, 1897. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 began in earnest within 18 months of a major gold strike on Bonanza Creek

Map of the Alaskan gold fields, 1897. Creator: T. S. Lee
Map of the Alaskan gold fields, 1897. Beginning in the mid-19th century, gold was discovered in a succession of strikes along the western coast of the United States in an ascending arc

Map of the mining district of California, 1850. Creator: William A. Jackson
Map of the mining district of California, 1850. The California gold rush of 1849 began with the strikes at Sutter's Mill on the American River near Sacramento

Map of the mining district of California, 1851. Creator: William A. Jackson
Map of the mining district of California, 1851. This map, produced in two parts in the early years after the California Gold Rush of 1849

Going to Klondyke, 1897. Creator: May Bloom
Going to Klondyke, 1897. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 was one of the largest gold frenzies in history. Tens of thousands of prospectors from around the world streamed north to Alaska

The Moorabool Viaduct on the Melbourne and Ballarat Railway, Australia, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Moorabool Viaduct on the Melbourne and Ballarat Railway, Australia, 1862. In 1851, gold was discovered near Ballarat, sparking the Victorian gold rush

The Tuapeka Goldfields, Otago, New Zealand, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
The Tuapeka Goldfields, Otago, New Zealand, 1862. The province received a great impetus in June, last year, by the discovery of goldfields situated on a stream called the Tuapeka...The immediate

Secret gold panning. "Predators", 1904-1917. Creator: Unknown. Secret gold panning
Secret gold panning. "Predators", 1904-1917. National Library of Russia

Washing gold in trays, 1904-1917. Creator: Unknown
Washing gold in trays, 1904-1917. National Library of Russia

No. 8: Eldorado Creek. Klondike, Early Spring, 1897-1903 (b/w photo)
3671325 No. 8: Eldorado Creek. Klondike, Early Spring, 1897-1903 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (19th-20th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

A gold quartz mill in the 19th century. (print)
7419929 A gold quartz mill in the 19th century. (print) by Justyne, Percy William (1812-83) (after); (add.info.: A gold quartz mill in the 19th century)

No. 7: Eldorado Creek, Prospect Hole, Winter, 1896-1897-1912 (b/w photo)
3671321 No. 7: Eldorado Creek, Prospect Hole, Winter, 1896-1897-1912 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (19th-20th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

No. 16: Wm. Douglas Johns, Front St. Dawson, Summer, 1898-1906 (b/w photo)
3671361 No. 16: Wm. Douglas Johns, Front St. Dawson, Summer, 1898-1906 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (19th-20th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

Canadian Bank of Commerce, Dawson, Y.T. photographer, Hegg & Co. undated (b/w photo)
3671372 Canadian Bank of Commerce, Dawson, Y.T. photographer, Hegg & Co. undated (b/w photo) by Hegg, Eric A. (1867-1947); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, USA; (add.info.: by Hegg & Co)

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The gold rush phenomenon captivated people around the world, from Australian Gold Rush prospectors in the 1850s to Leadville, a Colorado boom town in the 1870s. The allure of striking it rich drew countless individuals to venture into uncharted territories, hoping to uncover precious nuggets and change their lives forever. In California, where dreams were made and shattered alike, lithographs by Currier & Ives immortalized the chaotic scenes of gold mining in 1871. West Coast towns like Jacksonville in Oregon became bustling hubs as fortune seekers flocked to these promising lands. Even Hollywood couldn't resist the charm of this historical event. In Charlie Chaplin's iconic film "The Gold Rush" from 1925, he humorously portrayed a prospector resorting to eating his own shoe out of desperation - a comical representation of the lengths people would go for that elusive treasure. Sutters Mill holds significant importance as it marks the site where California's first gold discovery took place. It was here that James Marshall stood proudly before Sutters Mill in 1850, forever etching his name into history as an influential prospector. Panning for gold became synonymous with this era; hopeful miners meticulously sifted through riverbeds and streams with pans in hand, praying for that glimmering yellow metal to reveal itself. This laborious process symbolized both determination and uncertainty - each stroke bringing them closer or further away from their ultimate goal. A land-rush frenzy gripped America during this time period; crowds anxiously waited for their chance at staking claim on new territory. The promise of untapped riches fueled their anticipation while also highlighting how quickly fortunes could be won or lost within these newly opened frontiers. Contemporary colored engravings depicted California gold miners hard at work during this transformative era. Their perseverance amidst harsh conditions showcased not only their unwavering spirit but also shed light on the immense sacrifices made in pursuit of wealth.