America letter

In the summer of 1850, 34-year-old rock mechanic David Lundbom from Bergslagen boarded the ship that would take him to America. Together with a few friends, David had formed a gold mining company and now they were going to try their luck in California's gold fields. After eight months of travelling, they arrived in San Francisco.

In his letters home to Sweden, David talks about his experiences and the people he meets. Many of the letters are written in three different directions to save on the precious paper. After 32 years as a gold miner, David returned to his homeland in Sweden where he became an Ironmaster.

Image rights: Jörgen Ludwigsson, /SHM (CC BY 4.0)