Book cover to an Illustrated Tourist Guide of Noted Summer & Winter Resorts of California

Art Historical Context

This lithograph served as the book cover for an illustrated tourist guide promoting California’s summer and winter resorts, created around 1870–1880 by Emmanuel Wyttenbach and published by H. S. Crocker & Co. Measuring roughly 10 by 14 inches, the print was designed to catch the eye of potential visitors during a period when railroads and improved roads were opening the state’s scenic wonders to a growing leisure class. Lithography, a popular medium at the time, allowed for vibrant, affordable reproductions that could be widely distributed to advertise destinations. The cover’s imagery of bears, deer, horses, carriages, and sweeping landscapes highlights California’s natural attractions and the promise of outdoor adventure. These elements reflect the era’s fascination with the American West as both a romantic wilderness and an accessible vacation spot, encouraging Eastern travelers to explore resorts amid the state’s mountains and valleys. As a functional piece of promotional art, the work captures the optimism of post-Gold Rush California tourism. Its preservation in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection underscores how such everyday prints helped shape public perceptions of the region’s landscapes and recreational opportunities.