An Exceptional Rarity -- Even More So With Original Printed Boards
With "Chinook Jargon" Vocabulary Section
Written by the renowned British bibliographer and man of letters, William Carew Hazlitt, this work is a rare and invaluable guide to the gold fields of British Columbia.
Published in the wake of significant gold discoveries, Hazlitt's book represents an essentially new work compared to Hazlitt's earlier publication, "British Columbia and Vancouver Island" (1858). The present guide offers a comprehensive description of the gold fields and mines, the general prospects of the country, and practical advice for potential emigrants. Hazlitt also provides insights into the region's agricultural potential and commercial transit facilities. The book was designed to aid and accelerate the development of what was considered England's newest and potentially most valuable dependency.
A selection of topics covererd: The Vancouver Coal-Mining Company; Indian cookery and dwellings; Indian women and Indian babies; Mining at Cariboo; Strickeen gold; with an appendix containing the Rules and Regulations for the Working of Gold Mines.
Included in Hazlitt's guidebook is a vocabulary of the "Chinook Jargon," a trade language widely used in the Pacific Northwest during the 19th century. This vocabulary, extracted from the San Francisco Bulletin, provides readers with essential linguistic tools for communication in the region. Presented in treble columns on pages 177-180, this section serves as a practical resource for immigrants and traders interacting with diverse communities in British Columbia.
The accompanying map, titled "Map of British Columbia and Vancouver's Id.," provides a detailed depiction of the region, highlighting key geographic features and the locations of the Cariboo gold diggings. The map covers British Columbia and Vancouver Island, showing significant settlements, forts, and natural landmarks. Key areas, such as the Cariboo gold fields, are prominently labeled, aiding prospectors and settlers in their endeavors.
The discovery of gold in British Columbia, particularly in the upper Fraser River region, triggered a substantial influx of immigrants and prospectors in the mid-19th century. The Cariboo Gold Rush, beginning in 1861, attracted thousands of fortune seekers to the remote and rugged interior of British Columbia. The influx of prospectors led to the rapid development of settlements and infrastructure, including the construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road, which facilitated access to the gold fields.
British Columbia's settlement history is closely tied to these gold discoveries. Before the rush, the region was sparsely populated, primarily by Indigenous peoples and a few European fur traders. The establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts marked the early European presence in the area. However, the gold rush dramatically transformed the demographic and economic landscape of British Columbia.
Rarity
The book and map are extremely rare, especially with the original printed boards and advertising text.
We note 1 copy at auction in the past 55 years (with modern cloth binding and portion of text in facsimile).