The Case:
A viewer from Colorado thinks he may have discovered a gem of Gold Rush memorabilia when he found an unusual drawing.
This drawing depicts four huge gold nuggets, weighing one, two, six and ten pounds. Someone has overlaid the nuggets with curious, almost cartoon-like pictures: a bag of gold dust, a scowling turtle, a Colt revolver, and the profile of a man’s grinning face. The signature, I.W. Baker, catches our contributor’s eye.
Could this be the Isaac Baker famous for his photographs of the Gold Rush? And did miners actually find gold nuggets that large? History Detectives visits Baker’s haunts in California and talks with Gold Rush curators to reveal the story behind this drawing.
Drawings and Photographs by Isaac Baker
The Oakland Museum of California's art collection documents the history of California and the West from the early 1800’s onward. View some drawings and photographs by Isaac Baker in their collection.
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Feature:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Napolean's Sword
Did Napoleon bestow this sword as a gift to a brave ancestor of a St. Martinville family?
-
Related Investigation
Howard Hughes Crash
Was this the instrument that chartered Howard Hughes' near fatal plunge into Beverly Hills?
-
Related Investigation
Lost City of Gold
What can these carved letters reveal about the first explorers to visit the American Southwest?
-
Also in Season 9
Drug Smuggling Doll
What does this doll reveal about disease, death and daring during the Civil War?
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Booth Letter
Did the father of John Wilkes Booth threaten to assassinate the President?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Yakima Canutt's Saddle
What leading role did this saddle play in the birth of the Hollywood cowboy?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.