38x25 cm. (15¼x10”), in vintage gesso fame, backed with glass to reveal pencil notations on verso.

Nice depiction of the waterfall, attributed to the California-based artist and lithographer George H. Baker, descended in his family until its recent purchase by the current owner. The old cardboard and paper backing is preserved, and on the back of it is written in pencil: “Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley circa 1865. Painted by my Great Grandfather Geo. H. Baker (BAKER) who came to San Francisco Calif. in 1849 from Boston Mass.” George H. Baker (1827-1906) made his way to San Francisco through Mexico in 1849, arriving on May 28, 1849. The product of private schools in Boston with artistic training at the Academy of Design in New York City, he turned his talents to recording the Gold Rush in both prose and picture. His lithograph "Port Of San Francisco 1849" appeared in the "New York Times" that same year. In 1856 he became editor and publisher of the Granite Journal at Sacramento. He also engaged in the lithographing business in that city until 1862, when he established his home and business headquarters in San Francisco. From 1862 until his retirement, about 1890, Baker conducted a leading lithographic establishment and business in San Francisco. In 1873 in Yosemite, he sketched scenes that became part of a Pacific Coast set of lithographs. More information on the genealogy of the Baker family and the descent of this piece available on request.