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Decorative pictorial map of the west, showing the route from Independence, Missouri, to Hangtown, California, in the California Gold Country.
The map was a promotional item produced as a giveaway item for listeners of the Radio program, The Young Forty-Niners.
Kids could follow the progress of Captain Sam's and Jed Carson's wagon train moving west from Independence, Missouri, to the gold fields of California, as enacted on the weekly show. The show brought to life for children, the wagon trip west and adventures in the California Gold Rush of 1849.
The program was sponsored by the Colgate Palmolive Peet Company. The title cartouche features a wagon train and map of the United States. Below the title the note "A radio program brought to you by the makers of Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream."
The map shows the dangers of the west including rattlesnakes, puma, Gila monsters, etc. Remarks on numerous Indian tribes as to their disposition toward friendliness or hostility, their commerce, and trade. A wagon train crossing Nevada driven by a skeleton with the notation "Deater Rides with the Caravan all along this Route."
A letter on verso is to the child, from Captain Sam and the Indian scout Abe Carson. Also signed with Swift Eagles mark and Shep's footprint. Folding, the map includes its original pictorial mailing envelope with a stretched buffalo hide for the address area with, "To a Young Forty-Niner" above.
The fanciful map and envelope were created by H.C. Holling.
A fascinating children's map produced in the middle of America's Great Depression.
![[Northern California] North Bay Horse Country](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/86802.jpg)
