Next to Page, Bacon & Co. in extent and importance was the house of Adams & Co. The original of this institution was an express company of Boston, Mass of the same name, at the head of which was Alvin Adams. In 1849, he sent Daniel H. Haskell as a resident partner to establish a branch house in San Francisco . . . in a comparatively short time Adams & Co. as an express firm, made more and larger shipments of gold dust to New York than any other house. In the course of a year or two, Adams & Co. bought out both Freeman & Co. and Newell & Co. and extended their routes throughout the state having an office and agent in every town and mining camp of importance in the country. [Ref: History of California by Theodore Henry Hittel, 1885, Occidental Publishing, pg 443] Adams & Co., leading bankers, suspended Feb. 23, 1855. Alfred A. Cohen, receiver, was succeeded by Gen. Henry M. Naglee.
Includes Express receipts from Washington D.C., Army and Soldiers Package Express from Boston, Philadelphia, Granville, OH and Middleton CT. Mostly different forms. Very Fine. No photograph. $750.
Blank daily report for an Adams & Co office for ingots, gold dust and coin on hand. Classic gold rush (1850's) internal bank report for gold dust, ingots, etc. A completed form from one of the California Gold Rush mining camps is elsewhere in this catalog. On the reverse of this piece is the date 5/23/1854. There are two stamp hinge attachments at top on reverse and a note D. McGee, August 1958. Very Fine. Extremely rare. $250.
No.539 Second of exchange signed Freeman & Co., which has been marked through with black ink and issued to C. Hunter & Co. Amount not filled out. Tear in center made when signature on back was marked out. Appears to be a voided document, never completely filled out. This piece may have originated in the Placerville office. A few of these survived today with dates that post date the Adams & Company office closure. Famous vignette of miners with sluice box at top center. Printed on thin onion skin paper. Unusual. Extremely Fine with a strong pen cancel to an endorsement on the reverse that spelled out Hunter and Company. $125.
No.2094. This is a rare Second of Exchange dated 07/28/1853, written at the Montezuma City Adams & Company Express Office. Montezuma City was located in Tuolumne County and was a significant gold rush town in the 1850's. The town lasted through the 1880's. Large nuggets are know to have been found there and documents from this gold rush camp are exceptionally rare. The vignette on this exchange is among the most collectible by Adams & Co. because of the sluice box in the miners’ scene at the top center. This piece is an R8 and to the best of my recollection and knowledge; it is the only one I have seen in 30 years. Extremely Fine. $650.
No.24873 Original Exchange payable to M.R. Tuttle. Signed W.A. Whitiny for $300.00. Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. “Original” in large, red under print in center of note. Artwork by Lecount & Strong lithographed by Britton & Rey. Very Good condition. $125.
No.28591 Original Exchange payable to S.J. Lewis. Signed H.A. Whitiny for $450.00. Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. “Original” in large, red under print in center of note. Artwork by Lecount & Strong lithographed by Britton & Rey. Rag paper or similar. Numerous philatelic related repairs to the reverse. Otherwise Very Good condition. $75.
No.36532 Original Exchange Check payable to W.M. Walsh Signed H.D. Beuch for $50.00. Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. $85.
No.38029 Original Exchange Check payable to Julius Russell. Signed W.H. Hamden for $1,000.00. Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. Extremely Fine. $125.
No.38984 Original Exchange payable to H.C. Moore. Signed W.H. Hamden for $310. Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. “Original” in large, red under print in center of note. Artwork by Le Count & Strong lithographed by Britton & Rey. Thin, onion skin paper, quite unusual. Fine. $75.
No.38986 Original Exchange payable to Gerris Merbergen. Signed W.H. Hamden for $100.00.Datelined San Francisco. Black print on white paper. This form has a miner at left and the large San Francisco Banking office vignette at top center. Endorsement on the reverse occupies a full half of the document lengthwise. Very Good condition. $75.
No. 11780 ½ Statement of account balance at close of business for the Stockton office. This receipt was issued just a few months before the Adams collapse. $150.
The three pieces offered here are three of the four known Curtis Perry & Ward/Kellogg & Richter pieces. Two come from the prestigious John J. Ford, Jr. Collection and the third from a major private collection. A fourth known to the author exists in another private collection. All three of these were written out of the San Francisco Adams & Co. office in 1854. The February 9th piece is signed by infamous President (I.C.) Woods, the man whose indiscriminant financial dealing took down and bankrupted the western Adams & Co’s business. The other two are signed by Hamden, the San Francisco agent. All three are issued to the Adams & Company office at the important central Mother Lode gold rush camp of Coloma. These pieces are exceptionally important because of their direct relevance to private California gold coins that they produced during this period. These sheets are assay reports done by Kellogg & Richter for Adams & Company of ingots or gold dust submitted. Curiously, these assay reports are in pennyweights, not troy oz. All three have been removed from a ledger of some sort and show signs of adherence along the left side. For a different Curtis, Perry & Ward piece, see item 278.
No. 416 Assay results printed in black ink on thin light blue paper measuring 7 ¾ x 9 ¾.” The names of Adams & Co. and those of Curtis, Perry & Ward are preprinted on the “form.” However, Curtis, Perry, & Ward have been lined out and Kellogg & Richter written in above. The depositor’s name is illegible, and is written directly above the assay results. Weight before melting: 2,050 dwt. Loss in melting: 54 dwt. Netts: 1,996 dwt. Fineness: .866. Commission: 2¼ per cent or $40.20. Net proceeds $1,746.40. Signed by Woods of Adams & Co. Woods is the Adams & Co. partner who ultimately led the company into bankruptcy. Very Good to Fine condition. $7,500.
No.169 Assay results printed in black ink on thin light blue paper measuring 7 ¾ x 9 ¾.” The names of Adams & Co. and those of Curtis, Perry & Ward are preprinted on the “form.” However, Curtis, Perry, & Ward have been lined out and Kellogg & Richter written in above. The depositor’s name Alex McDonald, is written directly over the assay results: Weight before melting 2,000 dwt, Loss in melting 30 dwt, Netts 1,970 dwt. Fineness .892, Commission 2 ¼ per cent or $40.86. Net proceeds $1,775.40. Signed by Hamden for Adams & Co. Condition Very Good with usual assay receipt folds and foxing – the paper also appears to have been wrinkled or wadded up at some long past point in time. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. R7 $7,500.
No.355 This is a second example in the same format as the above lot with the names of Curtis, Perry & Ward preprinted and then lined out with Kellogg & Richter written above. Weight before melting 1,470 dwt, Loss in melting 48.12 dwt, Netts 1421.12 dwt. Fineness .867, Commission 2 ¼ per cent or $28.64. Net proceeds $1,245.19. Signed by Hamden for Adams & Co. Condition Very Good with folds, foxing, and old wrinkles and tattered bottom edge. Lightly soiled otherwise in Very Good condition, R7. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $7,500.
Much history of Adams & Co.'s Express in California can be found throughout this catalog. The following group of Adams & Co. Express “Stamps” came from a wonderful grouping from the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. In that catalog they were referred to as “chits”. This reference specifically considers them a trading monetary unit, not just a stamp to be used within a private postal system. This argument was fully correct, though not substantiated.
These pieces were made as money for use on the West Coast, and intended for use as money, as described in an internal Adams & Co. letter: “October 26, 1854. To Mess. Adams & Co., Stockton, Gents: To facilitate our business operations we have commenced the use of Express Postage Stamps as per sample enclosed, there is no direct profit in them to anyone. You will please cash them whenever presented at the rate of 25c each and sell them at the same rate to pay postages and make small remittances. You will therefore please persuade parties sending small sums to use them…At present the arrangement extends to California and Oregon only please not use them in the Atlantic States business, Yours & etc., Adams & C0.” [Western Express, July, 1958]
An intuitive argument can easily be made that they were in fact tokens simply because the pieces were printed on glazed cardboard with no adhesive backing. They were also issued in California at a time when pocket change was almost non-existent and in fact the circulating medium of pocket change were foreign silver coins, particularly the French Franc, which circulated as a legal U.S. 20 cent piece. These pieces are listed as IL3, L2 in Scott's Specialized Catalog of U.S. Stamps. In this catalog, Scott notes that this Adams Express stamp and another similar piece were the earliest private Francs issued west of the Mississippi River. Scott further stated that this piece “was probably never placed in use as a postage stamp”. The fact that these pieces circulated as money is indisputable. The pieces date specifically to 1854. The vignette of the man at the center is that of D.H. Haskell, the first Manager of Adams & Co.'s Express in California.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, center cut printed on light pink card stock. Minor foxing at right in corners and center. Trimmed slightly close at bottom right & left edge, but does not affect the image or border whatsoever. Otherwise Very Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $375.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, printed on light pink card stock. This block appears to be the lower right corner of a sheet, based on the wide margins at right and bottom. It has been trimmed tightly along the top and left edge, but the cuts do not penetrate the border of the stamps. This block has very minor foxing, possibly not visible in the photograph. Otherwise Extremely Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, from the bottom center of page, printed on light pink card stock. Still contains a wide margin at the bottom of the block. Very Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, upper right corner of page, printed on light pink card stock. Extremely Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, top center block of page, printed on light pink card stock. Little or no foxing. Fairly well centered. Extremely Fine condition. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $425.
Uncut block of four each 25 cent cardboard chits, top center block of page, printed on light pink card stock. Little or no foxing. Fairly well centered. Extremely Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $425.
Photo Courtesy of Stack’s, Lot 3297, John J. Ford, Jr. Collection Part XX & XXI, October 2007 Sale.
This silver medal has a rectangular hanger embossed “California” and engraved with the date 1846 below it. It was presented to Edward C. Kemble. The date engraved on the medal, July 31, 1846, reflects the date of Kemble’s arrival in California at Yerba Buena.
Edward C. Kemble is another very important figure in the history of California, in more ways than one. While on one hand he was an influential newspaperman, coming to California at a young age to start his career as a journalist, he also played a key role in the political and vigilante movement in San Francisco in the 1850’s, much like James King of William. In fact, he can be compared to James King of William in many ways.
Kemble was born in Troy, New York, the son of newspaper editor and former state Senator, John Cleveland Kemble. Like James King of William his interest in journalism began young and by 16 years of age Edward was in the employ of Sam Brannan, owner of the New York Mormon newspaper, The Prophet.
Although Kemble was not a Mormon, his thirst for adventure took him to California on the ship “Brooklyn” with Sam Brannan, who hoped to start a Mormon publication in the West, free from religious persecution. The group took the name of the “Brooklyn Company” after the name of ship that safely delivered them to the Pacific Coast not because they were from Brooklyn. (They were not listed in the 1845 Brooklyn Directory.) The men arrived in California on July 31st, 1846 with San Francisco’s first press and over the following ten years Brannan can be credited with existence of the numerous newspapers, starting with the California Star. Brannan sold his interest in the California Star to Kemble in 1849. Kemble also acquired the Californian and combined the two papers under the name of the Star and Californian. This paper later became the Alta California and then the Daily Alta California. This is where the story gets interesting.
Sam Brannon is one of the most important figures in the early history of California. He is referred to as the first publicist of the California Gold Rush and its first millionaire. After the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill, Brannan collected the first tithes from the workers there for the Church of Latter Day Saints, as well as becoming a merchant for the miners. He was elected to first town council in San Francisco and to the California State Senate a few years later in 1853. In fact, Brannon is credited with heading up the first Committee of Vigilance in San Francisco in 1851. Not surprisingly, John Jenkins, the first man lynched by the 1851 vigilantes, happened to be hanged in the front yard of The Alta California, which was located on Portsmouth Plaza next to the office of Burgoyne & Co. and the Old Adobe Customs House from which Jenkins’ body was suspended. Sam Brannon’s house was just behind the newspaper office. Historical records show that Edward Kemble was a member of the 1851 Vigilance Committee. In fact, The Alta California called for the formation of a citizen’s committee two days before Jenkins was lynched. Kemble’s close involvement with the vigilantes offers some evidence that the reports of The Alta California may have been biased and used as a tool to sway public opinion, just as James King of William’s controversial editorials roused citizen support for the vigilante movement.
Kemble went on to become a well-known, influential newspaperman throughout the state of California heading up several journalistic efforts such as the publication of the first issue of The Placer Times in Sacramento and eventually publishing his work on the “History of California Newspapers.” His call to duty during the Civil War found him working as a war correspondent for The Union. This was not his first military assignment; he had served with the California Battalion under John Fremont acting as a correspondent for The Star. After the war, Kemble returned to New York and became the Assistant Manager of the Associated Press office, in charge of California and West Coast matters. He was also the telegraphic correspondent for The San Francisco Call and Bulletin and The Sacramento Record-Union. He continued to work until his death in 1886.
This medal, presented to Kemble by the Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California, is dated the day Kemble arrived in California. This association, founded in 1875, is described in detail in the description above for the archive. According to the Articles of Association, it was composed of residents of California prior to it’s admission into the Union, September 9th, 1850. This New York group of pioneers was perhaps one of the most important California pioneer groups in the country, and what we like to call a “Good Ol’ Boys Group”. The group had official annual meetings and each meeting had a different subject. The subject of one of the first meetings of the association was to express sorrow over the sudden death of William Ralston of San Francisco (Ex President of the Bank of California) and their regret over the financial misfortunes which had overtaken him prior to his tragic death. Subsequent meetings were held to commemorate the discovery of gold in California by coming together each year to reminisce, later referring to themselves as “The Men of ’49.”
The New York Times reported on a few of their annual dinners and one such article reads, “The guests were all men who in their lives had seen hard times, and who had “rustled” in the early California days, when “rustling” was a quality eminently essential to success.” The article goes on to name the Honorable Demas Strong as the President of the Association and a few key members sitting at the head of the table as General W. T. Sherman, General Schofield and ex-governor of Arizona, McCormick. In another article by the New York Times reporting on the annual dinner five years earlier it is noted that the Honorable Leland Stanford sent a letter of regret. Clearly Kemble was an important member of the Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California, because it is noted that at the annual dinner on the year following Kemble’s death each member in attendance wore a flower to honor him.
Interestingly, one of the highly esteemed “Men of ‘49” was W.T. Sherman, who like many of his comrades, had adamantly opposed the Vigilance movement during his career, even leaving his military post with the San Francisco militia because of the power the vigilantes had gained. This is somewhat surprising because William Sherman and Sam Brannan later became partners, along with John Sutter Jr. and Edward Ord as surveyors when Brannan laid out the unofficial subdivisions that became Sacramento. As we know, both Leland Stanford and Edward Kemble were active members and staunch supporters of the Vigilance movement. Ironically, twenty years later Sherman, Kemble and Stanford all sat down at the same table to drink California wine in allegiance to the state and share stories of how they dared to conquer the state of California, something that could not possibly be understood by any who had not lived the adventure.
To us this medal symbolizes the mark that the California Gold Rush left on the hearts of the men and woman who were brave enough to venture west. No other piece so beautifully demonstrates the brotherhood felt by fellow pioneers. This medal is evidence that this kinship ultimately proved to be stronger than the greed and gold fever that made the blood run deep through the streets of the Wild, Wild West.
[Ref: New York Times January 19, 1883 & January 19, 1887, California Newspaper Hall of Fame Website of The California Press Association, Wikipedia, University of California Website Calisphere Autobiography and Reminiscence of Edward C. Kemble, Lion Kuntz Website: The San Francisco Committee of Vigilance of 1851 and 1856] From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $10,750.
The Bank of California was formed by William Chapman Ralston when he bought out his old partner, Fretz. The Bank of California soon grew to be one of the largest banks in America. The foundation of the bank was radically different than its major competitor, Wells Fargo. The Bank of California invested heavily in mines and mining ventures while Wells Fargo invested in the express business. Numerous pieces from the bank are scattered throughout this catalog, particularly in the San Francisco and Virginia City Sections.
No.642/3 Bullion receipt. Extremely Rare, probably R8 (1 to 3 known) bullion receipt where a bullion bar was submitted to the Bank of California for payment. This receipt is for an ingot valued at $1648.37 and the bank was charged $10.50 for freight and $8.90 for assay. It may be related to ores from the Comstock, though the names Gilespy and Childs, as found on the obverse are unknown to the author. Extremely Fine. $450.
Unissued RND. 2) Issued check 1884, signed by Mohun and endorsed by Duffey and credited to the account of prominent liquor merchant A.P. Hotaling & Co. 3) North Pacific Transportation Company with an RNB16 4) Same with RNB 17. Generally Very Fine. No photograph. $100.
Bell operated an assay office in San Francisco adjoining California Street from 1854 until the fateful day of April 16, 1866 when an unmarked container of nitroglycerine exploded, obliterating Bell, his assay office, and many innocent people in the surrounding area. “The explosion demolished everything within forty to fifty feet, including the whole interior of Bell's assay building, the storeroom and west portion of Wells Fargo & Co.'s building, the back portion of the Union Club and other apartments in the vicinity.” Three weeks after the blast, Wells Fargo announced it would no longer carry nitroglycerine in its coaches. George Rogers bought what was left of Bell's assay business and continued business in the same location. [Ref: Placer Herald, Auburn, CA, April 21, 1866] Bell assay receipts are very popular and there are a couple of Bell assayer ingots known. The earliest G.W. Bell assay receipt known to the author is 1859. 1860 is probably an R7, as well as 1861 and 1862. 1863’s are probably R5’s. Bell used a very interesting format to discern different years of his assay receipts by using different color inks such that 1860 was red, 1863 purple, etc. All of the known assay sheet forms for Bell from 1863 and 1864 were pre-printed for the Savage Mining Company in Virginia City, as Bell apparently was one of the contract assayers for the Savage Mine. The Savage Mining Company records were released in the 1960's and have since been gobbled up by collectors and institutions.
No. 3588 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited by Brumagem & Co., with the following assay results: Weight before melting 101.40 oz, After Melting 99.19 oz, Fineness .928, Value $1,902.81, less discount of $9.13, $2.65 Assay Fees, $28.36 W.H. Ladd & Co. on a Commission of 1 ½ %. Net Value: $1,862.64. W.H. Ladd & Co. was a prominent banking firm located at Downieville in Sierra County, CA. Printers: Towne & Bacon, 10 ½ x 5 ¼,” on crème colored paper with dull red print. This documents is lightly soiled and stained and has the usual folds and foxing with some minor tears along bottom edge. $450
Bell relocated his business to 512 California Street during the Fall of 1863 and at that time apparently completely changed the format and size of his “Bullion Deposit/Assay Receipts.” Using larger 7 ½ x 9 ½ crème colored letter sheet paper with light purple print each preprinted with Bell’s company name and address, and “Memorandum Assay of Retorted Silver Amalgam, deposited by the Savage Mining Company, and on another line “Weight of Amalgam Received.” Bell signed each of these “receipts” and wrote “Duplicate” below his name. These receipts are notable because they document the mill that processed the ore for Savage Mining Company as well as assay specifics for each of the numbered bars. Overall their conditions are Fine to Very Fine and fairly consistent with light foxing, folds, minor stains, and some ragged areas along the edges. This style of Bell Assay Receipts is rarity R5 (31 to 75 known).
Memorandum of deposit by I. H. Dalls and assay of “4 Bars” No. 1451, 1452, 1453, and 1454 listing weights, fineness, and dollar vaules of each. Total Value: $6,768.75. $450.
Memorandum of deposit by I. H. Dalls and assay of “4 Bars” No. 1665, 1666, 1667, and 1668 listing weights, fineness, and dollar values of each. Total Value: $5,468.98. $450
Memorandum of deposit by I. H. Dalls and assay of “5 Bars” No. 16185, 1686, 1687, 1688, and 1689 listing weights, fineness, and dollar values of each. Total Value: $6,558.74. $450.
Memorandum of deposit for assay by Marysville of “1 Sack” listing the “Weight of Amalgam Received” as 1275 oz. The Amalgam is melted and refined and poured as Bar No 1690, Weight 1255.80 oz, Fineness .954 Silver and .036 Gold, with a total dollar value of $2,483.58. $450.
Memorandum of deposit for assay by Comit, of “2 Sacks” listing the “Weight of Amalgam Received”as 2100 oz. The amalgam is melted, refined, and poured into two Bars. No. 1742 and No.1743 with Weights and Fineness of gold and silver listed for each bar and a Total Dollar Value of $3,160.35. $450.
Memorandum of deposit for assay by Sandy Bros., of “2 Sacks” listing the “Weight of Amalgam Received” as 2443 oz. The amalgam is melted, refined, and poured into two Bars No. 2568 and No.2569 with Weights, Fineness of gold and silver recorded for each bar and a total Dollar Value of for both bars of $4347.34. $450.
Memorandum of deposit for assay by Booths, of “3 Sacks” listing the “Weight of Amalgam Received’ as 2674 oz. The amalgam is melted, refined, and poured into two Bars. No. 26001 and No. 26002, with Weights, Fineness of gold and silver given for both bars and having a total dollar value for the two of $4,600.29. $450.
Assay receipt for two sacks of mostly silver from Bassets Mill. Weight of amalgam received, 1,682.50 ounces, for a total value of $3,066.73. Signed by G.W. Bell as a duplicate. Foxing along left margin, otherwise Very Fine. $450.
Extremely rare and possibly Unique one dollar gold note issued by the firm of Bradley & Rulofson, San Francisco. It was payable in photographs of the bearer. “Equivalent for a $1 Gold Note”, which did not exist. Bradley & Rulofson were professional photographers based in San Francisco. The note advertises the pair was awarded for “The Best Photograph in the United States”. There is a vignette of a boy to the left and a mining scene with a train in the background to the right. Four vignettes on back, a beehive at left, a woman holding sword and scale, and the obverse and reverse of a large medal awarded the pair at an expo in Philadelphia in 1874. Bradley opened a daguerrian gallery in San Francisco about 1850. Henry W. Bradley and William Rulofson became partners in 1863 in San Francisco and remained as such until Rulofson's death in 1878. The firm continued under that name through 1889, surviving a bankruptcy in 1877. Rulofson died when he fell off the roof of the photo gallery. Some considered it a possible suicide, perhaps a result of the bankruptcy. Rulofson was an experienced photographer who came to California during the early part of the gold rush in 1848. They not only ran the San Francisco gallery but also operated as traveling photographers. This note is in Fine condition, but looks Very Fine. [Ref: Biographies of Western Photographers by Carl Mautz] From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $3,500.
No.328003 Report of production of bullion ore. This is a blank form from 1938 that required the reporting of gold production and sale in accordance with the Gold Reserve Act of 1933 as amended. Scarce. Extremely Fine. $25.
Burgoyne & Company were early California Gold Rush bankers, established 6/5/1849 in San Francisco. The original partners were W.M. Burgoyne and John Plume. Burgoyne had a banking house in New York, as well. In January of 1854 he bought out his partner in the San Francisco and New York branches but kept the same name. The bank failed in 1855 because of the panic created by I.C. Woods and Adams & Company. Burgoyne employed numerous agents in the gold country to secure gold deposits. As an example, Carroll & Higgins and John Read purchased gold for Burgoyne and others in Sacramento. Burgoyne was able to weather a run on the bank in 1850, which originally forced Naglee & Company to close their doors. He was subsequently able to pay his depositors. Burgoyne, Wells & Company (later Wells Fargo) and James King of William withstood the run. In the big crash of 1855, led by Adams & Company, Argenti & Company was one of the banks forced to close. Most of Burgoyne’s California financial documents were printed in New York. This collection of Burgoyne material is certainly one of the finest extant containing numerous Unique pieces from the John J. Ford, Jr. Collections and other collections.
Unissued medium format 25 cent note with imprint of, “J. Manouvier & P. Snell. N.Orls.La.” There is a vignette of the early U.S. Capitol. The denomination is printed on both the left and the right sides. Note is in Very Fine condition with no creases or staining. This note is datelined San Francisco California 18xx. This form of date indicates the piece dates from 1849 and its suspected use was into 1850. It is an R8 and the only other known piece is the next lot. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $12,500.
Signed W.M. Spencer. Medium format 25 cent note with imprint of, “J. Manouvier & P. Snell. N.Orls.La.” There is a vignette of the early U.S. Capitol. The denomination is printed on both the left and the right sides. Note is in Fine condition with some creasing and slight staining. R8. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $9,500.
Burgoyne & Company $20 note from San Francisco, c 1849. The date is indicated by the 18xx, indicating an intended use from 1849 into the1850’s. Unissued and or possibly Unique. Imprints of “Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, & Edson” on front and back of New York and New Orleans, probably printed under contract with Burgoyne's New York branch. Top center vignette of Indians on horseback, hunting Buffalo, and Eagle printed on bottom right, with colorful Red decorations on back of note. These three notes are among the best examples of California Gold Rush currency dating to the 1849 period. They are equivalent to the most rare of the California Pioneer Gold coinage of the period. Extremely Fine condition with expertly executed professional restorations performed on the right hand side to restore this note to its original state. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $22,500.
Check dated for Aug. 21st, 1850, pay to Murray & Spinny $100.00, and signed by William H. Davis by John W. Lawton, Atty. Printed by Clayton & Sons, New York, clearly under contract with the New York branch of Burgoyne & Company. William H. Davis was quite a character in California's pre gold rush and gold rush history. Please see Bancroft's History of California. Back is endorsed Murray Spinny. Cancelled with red “PAID” stamp. Printed on blue paper, typical of the gold rush. There are two holes in the document, otherwise Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
“The First Trial & Execution in S. Francisco on the Night of 10th of June at 2 O’Clock.” Letter sheet describes the hanging of John Jenkins, one of the notorious “Sydney Ducks”, (Australian escaped or ex-convicts who came to California during the Gold Rush) and illustration shows a large crowd gathered in front of adobe Custom House in the Plaza, with suspended body of Jenkins at center. The printer is Justh Quirot & Co., SF. Lithograph 6 ¾ x 9 ½” on a double sheet: 8 ¼ x 10 ½.” Of particular interest in this letter sheet is the Burgoyne bank building from which they suspended Jenkin’s body. The location of this vigilance movement was considered a central point in San Francisco, a position Burgoyne needed to attract business. Extremely Fine. $2,500.
For other information on Jenkins’ role in the formation of the 1851 Committee of Vigilance, please see Vigilance Committee in the table of contents.
No. 23449 Original exchange payable to I.B. Wellington for $541.73 and signed by Burgoyne & Co. Cancelled with vertical handwritten notation. Endorsed by Isaac Wellington on the reverse. The vignette is a cameo of a Roman style head at top center. Printed by Ruwdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, New York. This is another piece thought to be R8 (1 to 3 known) and may be Unique. Ford Collection. There is a small, red, wax-like dot on back right corner. Very Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $1,750.
No. 8360 Second of exchange payable to Gilbert Hart for $500.00, signed by Burgoyne & Co. Vignette of allegorical woman with eagle on top and small ship on bottom. There is a red, handwritten number of exchange across the center. Uncancelled and unendorsed. Printed by Rawdon Wright Hatch & Edson, New York. Datelined San Francisco. This piece is R8 and may be Unique. This is a wonderful piece of early gold rush history. There is a philatelic repair to the top edge on the reverse. Otherwise Very Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $2,250.
Check No. 348 payable to Sharp & Co. for $51.92, and signed by Carter & Lindenberger. There is a blue safety print pattern all over the background of this check, which makes it quite notable. R7 with maybe four to six pieces known. No printer is shown. Endorsed on back in handwritten pencil Sharp & Co. Cancelled with criss-cross cut. Very faint stain in center, otherwise Almost Uncirculated. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
No.15384 First of exchange signed by Burgoyne & Co. Pay to the order of Thomas Russell for $1500.00. There is a vignette of clipper ships at top center. Printed by Ruwdon Wright, Hatch & Edson, New York. This is a second, Extremely Rare, R8 (1 to 3 known) bill of exchange on Burgoyne & Company printed by their New York office for use in the San Francisco office during the early gold rush. Very Fine. $1,350.
Check with Burgoyne & Co. crossed out and handwritten underneath Palmer Cook & Co., payable to Bearer for $50.00, and signed by Thos. P Johnson, Sheriff. Johnson succeeded Hayes as Sheriff in 1851. Palmer, Cook & Company had opened in San Francisco in 1849 and made it through the crash of 1855, though they became headline news during that crash and in the ensuing months. They suspended business in 1857 amid much hoopla regarding having handled California state funds. Cancelled with criss-cross cut. Printed by Felt and Hofsord of New York. Bearer notes are important because they acted as scrip. The fact that this piece is a $50 bearer note is exceptionally important, because its intended use was as a $50 gold slug and was probably issued specifically with that in mind. Otherwise Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $650.
Check payable to Ben Matcom & Company for $142.00 and signed by John V. (Illegible). Crest on top right corner of crown and “Ardua Vinco”. Printed with blue ink on white paper by Felt & Hosford New York. There is a decorative vignette on the left side of a ship and a train. Cancelled with three cross cuts. There are two small holes in the piece but otherwise it is in Good condition. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $300.
This is a hand written letter to F.D. Atherton, Esq and signed Burgoyne & Co. This letter is printed on light blue paper with Burgoyne’s masthead at the top. It is a typical folded four page printed letter sheet dated Feburary 27, 1854 at San Francisco. Here Burgoyne writes historic California figure F.D. Atherton in Valparaiso regarding an accounting matter. This is the only printed letter sheet for the bank that we have seen in thirty years. Minor staining on exterior fold surfaces. Otherwise Very Fine. $1,500.
Check with Burgoyne & Co. crossed out and handwritten underneath is Palmer, Cook & Co. This piece is a wonderful and remarkable tie to three gold rush bankers who failed. Two failed because of Adams & Company and the third immediately after. Check payable to Adams & Co. for $25.75 and signed by Freaner (?) Johnson. Printed by Felt & Hosford, New York. Cancelled with spindle cut and stamped horizontally with red Adams & Co. stamp. The Adams & Company counter stamp is Extremely Rare. Hole where torn from register, otherwise Very Good condition. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $400.
No. 23448 First of Exchange payable to Reed & Wade for $5,000.00, signed Burgoyne & Co. This beautiful piece printed by Ruwdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson in New York is printed orange on white with an orange safety print throughout the entire background of the piece. It is thought to be R8 with only two specimens known to the author though there may be a third or fourth in other prominent collections. The orange print certainly renders this piece one of the most attractive gold rush documents. Cancelled with handwritten notation. Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $2,250.
[1] Elisabeth L. Egenhoff, The Elephant As They Saw It, State of California, Divisions of Mines, p51, Letter form Colonel R.B.
Mason to General R. Jones, Adjutant General, U.S.A., Washington, D.C. dated August 17, 1848.
[2] Mason’s Letter, The Elephant As They Saw It, p51
[3] Mason’s Letter, The Elephant As They Saw It, p50
[4] Mason’s Letter, The Elephant As They Saw It, p57
[5] Kenneth Bressett, The Official Red Book of United States Coins 2007, p227.
<[6] James Polk, State of the Union Address, December 5, 1848.
[7] “Asher B. Durand’s Career as an Engraver” by Wayne Craven; The American Art Journal, Vol.3 No.1, Spring 1971, page 39.
[8] See Longworth’s New York Directory, 1832-3, and 1834-5 for entries of the firm under both names.
[9] Carson City Silver Age, 10/20/1861
[10] Mark Twain’s Letters, Volume 1, 1853-1866, p208-9, 212.
[11] Carson City Silver Age, October 2, 1862.
[12] The Silver City Assay Office is not listed in the 1863 Nevada Territorial Directory.
[13] Doten Journals, p1453.
[14] Clark, editor; The Journals of Alfred Doten [Doten Journals.jpg">, 1849-1903; 1973. Pp 1241, 1368, 1382, 1391, 1453, 1860.
[15] After the Territorial Census, Irvin is absent from US Census data. He may have died shortly after.
[16] Mining & Scientific Press May 21, 1864. p341. 391
[17] 1862-1874 San Francisco Directories
[18] 1875-1877 San Francisco Directories. Chalfant. The Story of Inyo, 1933.
[19] 1881 San Francisco Directory
[20] Owens. California Coiners and Assayers, 2000
[21] Kagin, p305.
[22] San Francisco Herald, November 19, 1851.
[23] Kagin, p167.
[24] Hittell, Mining in the Pacific States of North America, p208, 1861. Interestingly this important
reference is also titled “Bancroft’s Hand-Book of Mining for the Pacific States”.
[25] San Francisco Herald, January 8, 1852.
[26] [Ref: Hittell, p208.jpg">.