San Francisco, 1851 Chromolithograph, Francis Samuel Marryat, Hanhart, London

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1851 Chromolithograph of Francis Samuel “Frank” Marryat’s sketch of Gold Rush San Francisco, titled “San Francisco.” Printed in London by … Read more 1851 Chromolithograph of Francis Samuel “Frank” Marryat’s sketch of Gold Rush San Francisco, titled “San Francisco.” Printed in London by M. & N. Hanhart and published July 1, 1851, in London by Henry Squire & Co. Mid-century wood frame under plexiglass.

Dimensions: Lithograph image 24" wide x 16.5" high
Dimensions framed: 34" wide x 26" high x 1" deep

This chromolithograph graced the walls of the Bank of America headquarters in San Francisco during the mid-century period (1940-1960), when renowned antique dealer Frank Loyd Armstrong acquired it. It hung in his office at Armstrong Emporium in San Francisco, then in his store in Los Angeles. It was given to the recent owner before Mr. Armstrong moved to Las Vegas to open his storied antique establishment.

A very rare piece of Western Americana with the complex stone-on-paper texture and coloration of early chromolithographs. Note: this process was invented in France just a few decades before it was printed in London in 1851. All known prints are in museums or private collections.

Francis Samuel “Frank” Marryat, a British citizen from a seafaring family, landed in San Francisco in early 1850 amid a bustling town. A series of fires that devastated the booming settlement town. This sketch was likely done early in 1850, prior to several catastrophic fires. The view at sunrise is northeast over modern-day Chinatown with Yerba Buena Island on the left and the as-yet-named Berkeley and Oakland Hills in the distance. Note the depiction of many Chinese and Spanish settlers.

Below is the last copy of this lithograph to come on the market. Few other examples have come to market since 1950. See less