[Big Bear Lake, California Printer’s Block]

Interesting printer’s block used to create a map of the San Bernardino Mountains in California.

This rare, possibly one-of-a-kind, printer’s block shows a large area around Big Bear Lake in southern California, about 100 miles west of Los Angeles. The region grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of the California gold boom and remains a popular recreation destination for both summer and winter activities today.

The block shows a topographic map of the area and identifies various geographic features, camping lodges, post offices, and transportation routes. A legend in the lower left identifies the lines used to distinguish paved and secondary roads, trails, and streams, while the lower right shows an author’s signature – Beatrice Pedder.

Though I’ve been able to find little verifiable information on Pedder, she graduated from Big Bear High School in 1934, and the same year she edited ‘Big Bear Panorama’ (published by the school).

Source.