z Sold ~ Map case marked B Becker Leadville Col.

RJT#2868 -

Under the flap is the maker's cartouche "B BECKER MAKER / LEADVILLE, COL". Becker was born in 1848 in Germany and learned the saddlery trade in Iowa and had a saddle shop in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1873 to 1881. During that time he was also the Sheriff of El Paso County from 1875-1878. In 1878 & 1879 he employed R.T. Frazier in his saddle shop. In 1882 he moved to Leadville, Colorado and went into partnership with Samuel Leonard, which continued until 1890. Mr. Becker died in 1890. Gold was discovered in California Gulch, near today's Leadville. In 1874 the gold miners discovered that the heavy sand that was impeding their mining was in fact lead sand which contained a high content of lead and silver and the boom was on. During the period Mr. Becker & Mr. Leonard had their shop there in this wild & woolly town.
The map case is in very good condition. All stitches are in place. On the back two brass hooks, probably made to hook over the dashboard of a buggy.
The case measures 9 X 6 1/2 X 1 1/4 inches. This case is extremely rare and a desirable collectable from a most famous Colorado Boom Town. It would compliment any mining collection as well as any antique leather or holster collection.

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SOLD