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The Rush for Gold by Frank Lee Beals (California State Series), 1949 💰📜🇺🇸

The Rush for Gold by Frank Lee Beals (California State Series), 1949 💰📜🇺🇸

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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This 1949 vintage children's textbook, The Rush for Gold, by Frank Lee Beals, is part of the California State Series. The book is a primary historical document that captures the California Gold Rush through a fictional narrative.

As a rare state-issued textbook with a unique handwritten inscription, this volume is a sound acquisition for any collector of Americana, educational history, or books with documented history.


2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Rush for Gold is a historical fiction novel written for young readers. It tells the story of the California Gold Rush through the eyes of a young man who travels west to seek his fortune. The narrative goes beyond a simple adventure story to provide a portrayal of pioneer life, mining camps, and the challenges of the western trails.

The book is enhanced by illustrations by Jack Merryweather. These illustrations bring the historical period to life for young readers.


3. About the Author ✍️🏛️

Frank Lee Beals was an American author and educator known for his contributions to children's literature, particularly the popular American Adventure Series. His work focused on making history accessible and exciting for young readers.

Beals's books were widely adopted in schools across the country, and he was recognized for his ability to blend historical fact with a fictional narrative. The series, which included this book, was a staple of American education in the mid-20th century.


4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1949, this book appeared during a period of significant growth in post-World War II California. The state was experiencing a population boom and was at the height of its economic influence.

The book reflects a societal desire to celebrate the state's pioneering spirit. Its publication by the California State Department of Education reflects a period of public investment in education and a belief in the power of history to shape regional identity.


5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of educational history, a scholar of Americana, or a private collector of state-issued textbooks. It is an item for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its status as a document of a specific community's history.


6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1949 textbook is 76 years old. These state-issued books were mass-produced for a specific purpose and were often discarded after use, making a well-preserved copy more scarce.


7. Condition 🔎📚✨

  • Used vintage condition.

  • The binding is tight and the pages are clean.

  • The covers show some rubbing, scuffing, and discoloration, which is consistent with the book's age.

  • The pages have some age-toning but are clear and legible.


8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • The book was part of a larger series called the "American Adventure Series," a collection of readers used in schools across the country.

  • The book’s publication was tied to the California State Department of Education, a common practice to provide standardized textbooks for public schools.

  • The narrative provided a sanitized and romanticized view of the Gold Rush, which was a common practice in textbooks of the era.


9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Title: The Rush for Gold

  • Author/Maker: Frank Lee Beals

  • Year: 1949

  • Publisher/Foundry: California State Department of Education

  • Place of Origin: Sacramento, California, USA

  • Format/Binding: Hardcover

  • Edition: California State Series

  • Rarity: Unique (due to history)

  • Transcription of Inscription: "VERLINDE"

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