Lot 121

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Description:

(5) Drawings by Gold Rush Artist John Henry Dunnell, ca. 1847-58

A group of five original pencil drawings by notable artist of the California Gold Rush, John Henry Dunnell (1813-1904), four of which have been signed, ranging in date between the 1840s-50s. Accompanied by a modern reference book entitled The First Hundred Years of Painting in California, 1775-1875 (San Francisco: John Howell Books, 1980) by Jeanne Van Nostrand. Varying degrees of darkened handling marks, toning, and minor soiling throughout. Please see below and accompanying images for further information on contents. A very attractive collection overall, believed unpublished; representative of one of the most storied chapters in American history!

The lot includes:

• Untitled scene depicting a stream running through a mountain canyon with mill wheel perched on shore. Pencil on cream paper. Initialized "J.H.D" at lower right, ca. 1849-50. Top edge indicates once in Dunnell’s sketch book. No place specified but reminiscent of Sutter’s Mill, on American Fork of the Sacramento River, based upon comparison with similar river landscapes identified as Sutter’s Mill. Also pictured for reference is a copy of A View of the South Fork of the American River at Coloma in El Dorado County, California (2012) by Carol M. Highsmith. 6.25" x 7.5".

• "Doct. L. F. G. Mittag of South Carolina". Pencil on lightly toned page. Unsigned, ca. 1855. 5.25" x 6".

• "From Weehawken Hill, Hoboken [N.J.]". Pencil, with foliage accented with golden brown wash. Dated and signed in full: "June 1847/ John Henry Dunnell". Contemporary with his exhibition at National Academy of Design, 1847-48. 10" x 7".

• "Catskill Mtn. House". Watercolor on sepia-toned paper. Dated on verso June 28, 1844 and signed "J. H. Dunnell". 5.75" x 7.75".

• "Tannery in the Clove, Catskill Mtn." Pencil, on light grey sheet., ca. 1840s. Initialized "J.H.D." at lower right. 6.75" x 10".

Having studied at the National Academy of Design, Dunnell took the first steamer of the Pacific Line from New York in early 1849 upon the discovery of gold in California. It was during this time that he heard of a lawsuit against two men who had bought out Sutter: James W. Marshall (1810-1885), who had discovered the gold at Sutter’s Mill. Despite owning a successful general store in Coloma, and later becoming its first Justice of the Peace upon California statehood, he would return to N.Y. in 1851. Through both his position as storeowner and Justice of the Peace in the lawless epicenter of Gold Rush fever, it can be surmised that Dunnell made the acquaintance of Marshall and John Sutter, as well as many desperadoes, bandits, posses, and fortune-seekers converging on the area.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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