Page 42 - 2020 March JOA

Malden Historical Gold Rush: The Daguerreotypes of Early

Society Show California at Peabody-Essex Museum

MALDEN, MA – The SALEM, MA – Gold Rush: The later become the state of
Malden Historical Society Daguerroeotypes of Early California. Word spread slowly
will host its 34th Annual California will be on view at the at first, starting in California
Antique Show and Sale, Peabody Essex Museum April 4 towns and among the resident
Saturday March 14 from through July 12, 2020. A American Indian population.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at catalogue, published by Yale Soon, immigrants from Chile
Anthony’s in Malden, University Press, will accompany and Mexico and settlers who
MA. Whether they come the exhibition. had previously traveled west to
to shop or to browse, all As word of the California Oregon began to arrive. The
will enjoy experiencing the tangible past through gold rush spread around the response on the East Coast of
a wide range of items. world, it was difficult to know the United States was delayed
The Malden Antique Show and Sale has what to believe. In October until President Polk announced
become a local institution, well known among 1850, the Illustrated London the discovery in his annual
dealers, shoppers, and collectors in the region. News reported: “The existence address to Congress, in
One of the earliest events of Greater Boston’s of California has, at length, December 1848, stating “The
antique season, it attracts dealers from throughout become a ‘great fact.’ … The most incredulous accounts of the abundance of gold … are of such
New England who offer a wide range of items for sceptics [sic] are at last convinced; several of the an extraordinary character as would scarcely
sale, including art, gold and silver jewelry, toys, localities have been Daguerreotyped. … To command belief were they not corroborated by
books, glass, china, pottery, postcards, furniture, refuse the evidence of the Daguerreotype is to the authentic reports of officers … who have
ephemera, and much more. Some dealers have deny the existence of the ‘prime cheerer’ of visited the mineral district and derived the facts
been with the show for 33 years, and new dealers light, and the Sun and his works.” … from personal observation.” After the spring
are pleased to be able to offer their wares this early The daguerreotype, it would seem, had the snowmelt, the rush began in earnest.
in the season. (Dealer inquiries welcome!) ability to stand in for reality, to make the Thousands made the journey to California,
The show incredible credible. It was assumed that the often with money borrowed from friends and
moved to photograph simply could not lie. As curator and family. The trip was made by land or by sea
Anthony’s a few print historian William Ivins observed, “The and typically took four to six months. Lured by
years ago – a nineteenth century began by believing that what the ready market of potential customers,
location that was reasonable was true and it would end up by daguerreotypists also made their way to the area.
provides greater believing that what it saw a photograph of was Most daguerreotypists set up portrait studios in
convenience for true. The photograph has been accepted as show- the larger cities of San Francisco or Sacramento,
dealers and ing that impossible desideratum of the historian – though some ventured into the smaller towns

accessibility for how it actually was.” But what and directly into the gold fields
customers. truths do daguerreotypes of in photographically outfitted
Admission to the show is $6 and benefits the the California gold rush wagons.
Malden Historical Society. Anthony’s will have actually reflect? Learn more by visiting the
food and beverages available and is located at 105 After gold was discovered Peabody Essex Museum, East
Canal Street, has ample free parking, and is a two- at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, gold India Square, 161 Essex Street,
block walk from the Malden Center MBTA fever swept the nation. Prior Salem, MA. Open Tuesday-
Station (Orange Line). To learn more, visit our to 1848, there were around Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
website maldenhistoricalsociety.org or email us at 14,000 inhabitants living in Closed Mondays (except holi-
info@maldenhistoricalsociety.org. the territorial area that would days). Visit pem.org

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40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles