1-155-325 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'The Californian Balloon Railway', a novel way of travelling to the Californian Gold Rush, 1849. A prospector riding on the back of a large bird, flying towards California. The discovery of gold in 1848 led to mass immigration into California, with over half a million people from all over the world pouring into the state in search of riches. Cartoon from Punch, London 1849.