In the same vein, the title ‘Klondike and Indian River Gold Fields’ has been printed on a separate piece of paper and pasted onto the map, presumably correcting an earlier version of the title. Indicative of the nature of the proof-making process at the time, several creeks previously extending toward the upper-right corner of the map have been erased in favor of including the inset detailing Dawson City. As Adney was an accomplished artist, clearly had the ability to produce such a refined work. " a manuscript Journal kept by Adney as an 18 year old exploring his native New Brunswick. While it is not certain that the map was drafted by Adney personally, it is known that Adney had previously drawn maps to illustrate is "First Trip To New Brunswick. The map is a finely drafted proof, based on rough field sketches, and prepared specifically for the publication of Adney’s book. Other details, such as the locations of ‘Road Houses’ and mileage markers along the rivers noting the distance from the Yukon River only add to the map’s sense of authenticity. ‘Discovery Claims,’ or those points where gold was first discovered in the early days of the rush, are noted by crossed circles. Intermittent crossed lines mark the trails used by the miners to access their claims, while the various numbers located at the terminus of each tributary identifies each individual mining claim. It names every single creek and tributary, and topographical relief is expressed with hachures. Adney’s map presents one of the most detailed and authentic records of the extensive mining operations that had sprung up in barely two seasons. These rivers met the mighty Yukon River just above Dawson City, the brand new boomtown that was the only settlement of any kind in this rugged subarctic region. The map embraces virtually all of the productive area of the Klondike Gold Rush, which was largely confined to the Klondike and Indian Rivers and the Bonanza and Hunker Creks and their tributaries. The present map is significantly larger than the map that appeared in the book, which was approximately 8 x 10 inches. This manuscript proof formed the basis of the printed map contained in Adney’s important account of the gold rush, The Klondike Stampede abou the Klondike Gold Rush, published by Harper & Bros. The level of detail is so great that Adney’s statement that the map is based “on personal surveys and information supplied by miners” clearly holds true. The present map is an exceptionally detailed cartographic record of the mining operations, trails, outposts and settlements in the Klondike region of the Yukon, as they appeared during the summer of 1898, as reported by Tappan Adney, perhaps the single important chronicler of the Klondike Gold Rush. Original manuscript proof of Tappan Adney's map of the Klondike and Indian River Gold Regions, drawn during his visit to the Yukon in 1897-98. Map of the Klondike and Indian River Gold fields Drawn by Tappan Adney from personal surveys, and information supplied by miners original, upon scale of three inches to the mile, in the Mining Exchange at Dawson.
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