The Miners, Bank of Savings of Alta California. Little has been written on this bank, and, in fact, little is known. The phrase “Miners Bank” was used in 1849 and 1850 to refer to a bank headed by Stephen A. Wright of San Francisco. A second Miners Bank, The Miners Exchange and Savings Bank, was also in San Francisco in 1849, and it is entirely possible that the Miners Bank of Savings of Alta California was formed as a take off (name copycat) of the Miners Bank of Stephen Wright, who had issued gold coins in 1849 made by Broderick and Kohler.
It is unknown at this time if this is the same Miners Bank that issued the currency, but it is very doubtful, because there are currency notes from the Stephen A. Wright Miners Bank, datelined San Francisco, 1849 and signed by Wright and Haight. But the two are definitely related, as discussed below. None of the period references, particularly the newspapers such as the Alta Californian, suggest or mention a company with a similar name, or a company with the Savings Bank of Alta California affiliation.
The notes from this bank are rare. All known are less than $1 scrip fractional currency. The most common of the series are the 25 cent notes, of which the author knows of approximately eleven different notes. Six of these have the appearance of being issued, but with the evidence presented in the Stack's Sale of the Ford Collection, that issuance is in doubt until the actual notes can be inspected. All six are currently in a private collection.
The Ford Collection examples of the 25, 50 and 75 cent notes: these notes were printed by Gavitt & Co. of Albany, New York. They were not printed by the same company that printed the 1849 Miners Bank notes signed by Stephen A. Wright and Haight, printed by Danforth & Huffy of New York City. John E. Gavitt ran a bank note engraving and printing business in Albany based in the Exchange Building. At the time, there were seven banks in Albany. No Miners Bank was listed in the Albany Directory in 1849. [Hoffman's Albany Directory for 1849-50; Albany; 1849.]
In an article of the Portsmouth Journal, May 11, 1850, A Miners Bank $3 note was shown to an Albany newspaper California Paper Money. The new State of California, in the absence of the means of converting the gold dust readily into coin, it seems is favored with the facilities of a paper circulation. The Albany Atlas states that it has been shown a $3 bill of the most approved pattern, and in the best style of Danforth & Huffy, of New York, purporting to be issued by “ The Miners Bank of California”, J.E. Fuller Cashier, and William H. Graham, President. The bank is located at San Francisco.”
The Immediate question arises, did members of the Albany banking community, after reading this in their newspaper, embark on a currency scheme of their own? This is excellent fodder for an evening cocktail discussion.
25 cent note. This is an outstanding bright, sharply printed example, with a small cutout in the signature plate. This is the most common of all the fractional series of this note, with perhaps ten to twenty known, but this example is easily among the best, if not in the top two. Ford acquired it in 1958. There is a small tape repair to the rear to fix a small tear. R6. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $2,750.
50 cent note. This note from the Ford Collection was rated R5 by Stack's, but that may be too lenient. While no formal census exists, it is doubtful that there are more than six of these fifty cent notes. This piece was acquired buy Ford from the Allen Brand Collection in 1959. It, like the 75 cent note, was filled in at a later date. None of the specimens known to the author are circulated. This is an excellent example, lightly card mounted for preservation with the reverse fully visible, with “Jun 11 1935 R.G.J.” and a note regarding Ford's acquisition. Possibly R8. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection $4,000.
75 cent note. There are only two of these notes known to the author. This piece was acquired by Ford in 1956 in a trade. The data was described in the Stack's catalog as artificially filled in, which is correct. The style of writing and ink certainly indicates that it was filled in closer to the 1849 date than the acquisition date. Curiously, the name in the signature place is John L. Holmes. There was a John L. Holmes in California working as a miner on the middle fork of the American River in 1850 (24 years old.) Is this the same man who filled in this note at some later time, dating it April 1832? Regardless, this is exceptionally rare denomination for this classic Gold Rush era fractional note. R8. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $7,500.
No. 596 Unissued first of exchange with vignette of the Banking House of Dr. A.S. Wright. This is an exceptionally rare exchange, possibly Unique. Its presence in the Ford collection was a surprise, as were many of the incredibly rare gold rush and western mining related financial documents. Ira Cross noted that this bank may have been the first banking house in California in 1848, known as the Miner's Bank run by Wright & Co. In 1854 the name was changed to Miner's Exchange and Savings Bank with an office in the “old Armory Hall”. In September 1854 the company advertised paying interest on deposits of 1.5% per month and that deposits of more than $100 left alone for six months or more would draw interest at the rate of 2% per month. The bank was an immediate success and Wright soon moved the bank into a new four story building. They did well until the crash of February 1855 caused by Adams & Co., which brought down this bank. During the crash more than $3.5 million in gold was withdrawn from San Francisco banks, a monstrous amount of money. This bank is known to currency collectors because of a few rare specimens of its’ surviving currency. This exchange has a picture of Wright's four story bank which he completed during Dec. 1854. It was located on the northwest corner of Montgomery & Jackson Streets. The vignette at center is a mining scene with two gold panners and a rocker. Lithographed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Very Fine with slight discoloration on edges and corner folds. [Ref: Cross, pages 47-8, etc.] From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $9,500.
No.1042 Memorandum of Assay “of Sample of Ore Marked #2” for H. H. Lawrence Esq. This receipt measures 7 ¾ x 9 ¾” and is printed on letter sheet buff colored paper in a medium blue ink. Metals Assayed “Placer Gold.” at “$131.99 Silver, 1 ton, 2000 lbs.” Signed J.A. Mars, Assayer. The California Assay Office was originally managed by H.H. Lawrence, with J.A. Mars as the assayer. Mars bought out Lawrence in mid 1871 and ran the assay office for a while thereafter. Assay reports or bullion receipts from this firm are extremely rare, with a rarity of R8 (1 to 3 pieces known). Very Fine. $450. Sold
Assayer's Business Card. This Rare business card indicates their assay office was part of the California state exhibit in the Palace of Mines at the Pan-Pacific International Exposition. Extremely Fine. $50.
John L. Moffat was a silversmith in New York of long running, carrying down a family tradition. When news of the Georgia gold rush leaked out slowly, easterners and Americans in general did not quite know what to think. After nearly a decade of reading little bits and pieces of information in newspapers, John Moffat took the plunge and went to Georgia to look for gold on his own. Auraria and the new town of Dahlonega, complete with the new Dahlonega Branch Mint were the central cities in the middle of the gold region. Other discoveries in Habersham and White Counties were contemporaneous to Dahlonega and Auraria, and much activity centered around those areas too. But Dahlonega, with its new US Branch Mint, continued to get all the attention in the Press.
Moffat went to Georgia in the late 1830’s, on the heels of the bank failures of 1837-8. It was possibly a perfect time to explore the mining region, because risk capital was non-existent because of the depression. This left an opening for a good businessman, and Moffat fit the bill. He may have journeyed to Dahlonega and Auraria to look over the mines, but he found suitable property for purchase or lease in White County, only a few hours coach ride northeast of Dahlonega. Here he bought or leased property and mined gold, and began to raise his family. One or more of his children were born there during his gold escapades. Moffat’s gold from his mine(s) must certainly have been sold to the Dahlonega Mint in the early 1840’s, though records of specific depositors from that period are scarce to non-existent. Just how much of Moffat’s gold is in the various Dahlonega gold pieces of that period is unknown, but is a certainty.
Before the end of the 1840’s, Moffat was back in New York. Then, when news of the great California Gold Rush swept the nation, Moffat was off to California to seek his fortune. With significant experience as a gold miner, Moffat found that the financial side of the gold business suited him better than mining itself.
Moffat quickly became one of the champions of money in California. Recognizing the need for gold coinage there, he set about making his own $5 and $10 gold pieces, and added small ingots in varying values to the mix of circulating private gold currency. His gold pieces dating from 1849 are among the most popular and well known of all the California pioneer coiners, and the ingots stand alone as the great numismatic pieces of that form.
Speculation could easily arise regarding Moffat’s 1849 gold pieces. Was all of the gold from California mines, or was some carried with him from Georgia? Most likely Moffat sold his gold in Georgia before returning to New York, but coin was in short supply in Georgia, so the possibility that he brought Georgia gold to California is a real one.
All ephemera from Moffat is Extremely Rare. At the time of this writing, only one letter from him has been located, and only a small handful of bullion receipts – four. One was in the Henry Clifford Sale, and others in private hands. There was not a single piece in the prestigious John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. Of the four bullion receipts known to the author, two are in this catalog. They are arguably among the most desirable of all gold rush gold bullion receipts because of the importance of the Moffat gold coins minted at the beginning of the California Gold Rush.
The two coins below are classic representations of Moffat’s early and later privately minted gold coins.
$12,500.
Rare. $17,500.
Moffat & Co., original handwritten letter from and signed by John L. Moffat to New York bankers Beebee & Ludlow. Moffat thanks them for supporting his private gold coin at full value (par) and his gold at $18 an ounce, while the standard trade amount was $16/oz. He also stated that he would be publishing Beebee & Ludlow's letter in his advertisements. The letter is on classic blue paper, folded, and sent by Gregory's New York and California Express, and has their large oval stamped cancellation on the front. This is one of the most important documents ever discovered concerning private California gold coinage. It is the only Moffat letter known to the author. No photograph. $15,000. Sold
Original issue of The Daily Journal of Commerce, Vol. 1, No. 51, published in San Francisco. On the front page is a small advertisement for Moffat & Co., Refiners and Assayers, located at the Corner of Clay and Dupont streets, San Francisco. Company officials listed as: J.L. Moffat, H. Perry, J. R. Curtis, and S.H. Ward—paying “Highest price for Gold Dust.” Paper consists of four pages, taken from a bound volume. A rare newspaper and rare account of a Moffat ad. Slight age discoloration, Extremely Fine. $500.
No.176 Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by Teschmacher & Co. This receipt measures 7 ¾ x 5” and is printed on light blue paper with black ink. There is no printers hallmark or information provided.
Gold Dust Weight before melting 1502 dwt, Loss in melting 126 dwt, Nett 1376 dwt, Fineness .884, Commission 2 ¾%, Nett Proceeds $1,222,66. Almost no foxing but there is one fold lengthwise across the receipt and a few small errant ink spots. This receipt is dated very early during the gold rush and is very rare with less than a handful known. R8 (2 to 3 known). $15,000. Sold
No.194 Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by Teschmacher & Co. This receipt measures 7 ¾ x 5” and is printed on light blue paper with black ink. Gold Dust Weight before melting 3823 dwt, Loss in melting 295 dwt, Nett 3628 dwt, Fineness .880, Commission 2.3/4 % Net Proceeds $3,209.14. R8 (2 to 3 known). $15,000. Sold
This is an Exceptionally Rare prospectus for this company, based on a patent for an early diving bell patented in 1849. John L. Moffat, the California Gold Rush Coiner, was so impressed that he purchased the patent from J. Rutherford Worster. Moffat intended on using the diving bell on the San Joaquin River in the middle of Mariposa County to extract gold. This is an incredibly important concept because this river drained the exceptionally rich area covered by John C. Fremont's Mariposa Grant. Further, it may be the first instance of someone experimenting with an underwater mining device in California. Later efforts were reported in Georgia. This is an oversized piece measuring approximately 11 x 17”. Very Fine. $10,000.
Steven Molitor was the son of A. Molitor, considered one of the great California Gold Rush assayers and one of the men originally involved with the U.S. Assay Office. In January 1859 Augustus and his son Steven formed a new company called S. Molitor and Company. By then Steven had worked in British Columbia during the Fraser River gold rush of 1857-1858 as well as in San Francisco with his father during earlier years. A third brother named Titus also worked for the firm.
S. Molitor and Company's business in San Francisco flourished for a while. Then Steven took off for a gold rush in San Diego County, but that did not last long. Molitor was then off to Helena, Montana and the Montana Gold rush, then to Deadwood, in the early 1880’s as part of the Black Hills Gold rush, which was home to United State’s largest single gold mine, the Homestake Mining Company.
Stephen Moliltor's bullion receipts are relatively common with perhaps fifty known. However, Molitor bullion receipts from 1859 are an R8 (1 to 3 known). None are presently known from A. Molitor. There are perhaps a dozen known from 1860, and a similar amount or less from 1861 and 1862. The 1863 receipts are more common. 1864 to 1865 receipts may be considerably rarer, though until recently rarity and year of issue were seldom of concern to most collectors.
The majority of the Molitors came from the C.T.H. Palmer archive distributed more than thirty years ago. Palmer was a gold rush banker in the Sacramento/Folsom area and was also involved at Gold Hill, Nevada. Molitor used the same form while he was at the 110 Montgomery St. during the 1860-61 period, though some forms are printed in red ink and others purple, possibly copying G.W. Bell's lead of using different colors each year. In 1863, after Molitor moved to 418 Montgomery St. he used a different form in which his name is printed in large, bold block letters. Towne & Bacon of San Francisco were the printers.
The following eight lots are Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by C.T.H. Palmer for Wells Fargo & Company at the Assay Office of S. Molitor & Co., 110 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA. Each of theses receipts was printed by Towne & Bacon on buff colored paper with a dull red colored ink and measure 10 ¾ x 4 ¾.” Each has some folds and foxing and very from Fine to Extremely Fine in condition.
No.911 Bullion deposit with assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 78.45 oz, after melting 78.39 oz, .883 fine, value of gold before deductions for fees etc. $1,430.85. Condition Very Fine. R6. $450. Sold
No.923 Bullion deposit with assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 155.60 oz, after melting 155.51 oz, .911 fine, value of gold before deductions for fees etc. $2,928.56. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.992 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 86.75 oz, after melting 86.44 oz, .908 fine, value of gold $1,622,47. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.1030 Bullion deposit with assay results signed by S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 64.17 oz, after melting 64.05 oz, .911 fine, value $1,206.18. Signed S. Molitor & Co. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.1089 Bullion deposit with assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 275.50 oz, after melting 205.44 oz, .894 fine, value $3,796.65. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.1100 Bullion deposit and assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 99.71 oz, after melting 99.66 oz, .862 fine, value $1,776.75. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.1136 Bullion deposit and assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 55.98 oz, after melting 55.87 oz, .890 fine, value of gold $1,027.88. Extremely Fine. R6. $450.
No.1146 Bullion deposit and assay results signed S. Molitor & Co. Weight before melting 73.70 oz, after melting 73.48 oz, .880 fine, value of gold before charges and fees $1,336.68. Very Fine. R6. $450.
The following five lots are Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by C.T.H. Palmer for W. F. & Co. at the Assay Office of S. Molitor & Co., 418 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA. Each of theses receipts measures 10 ¾ x 4 ¾.” The printer was Towne & Bacon. Printed on buff colored paper with purplish colored ink – the ink is much darker on some than others. All have “pocket” folds and various degrees of foxing.
No.1469 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 74.25 oz, after melting 74.16 oz, .899 fine, value of gold before charges and fees $1,378.18. Darker foxing at corners and tares or chipping at both upper corners, otherwise Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. R6. $450.
No.1468 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 57.96 oz, after melting 57.91 oz, .905 fine, value of gold before charges and fees $1,083.38. Darker foxing along bottom and chipping at top left otherwise Fine. R6. $450.
No.1575 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 86.94 oz, after melting 86.86 oz, .910 fine, value of gold $1,633.95. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. Extremely Fine. R6. $450.
No.2405 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 82.39 oz, after melting 82.35 oz, .907 fine, value of gold before charges and fees $1,542.13. There is a small darker reddish staing at the bottom edge and some light foxing. Fine. R6. $450.
No.2417 Bullion deposit with assay results. Weight before melting 89.05 oz, after melting 89.00 oz, .901 fine, value of gold $1,657.65. Stained along bottom edge otherwise Very Fine. R6. $450.
The following six lots are Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by C.T.H. Palmer for W. F. & Co. at the Assay Office of S. Molitor & Co., 418 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA. These receipts measure 10 ¾ x 4 7/8” and were printed on buff colored paper in light purple ink. The size of the type is considerably larger on these receipts than on other Molitor pieces, and the address at No. 418 Montgomery is on a line by itself just below the company’s name. The printer is not identified. Typical of assay receipts of the period each has “pockets” folds, however all are in very nice condition with almost no foxing and little if any soiling.
No.402 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 70.70 oz, after melting 70.65 oz, .913 fine, value of gold $1,404.39. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. Very Fine. R6. $350.
No.530 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 31.46 oz, after melting 31.42 oz, .888 fine, value of gold $576.76. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. Very Fine. R6. $350.
No.537 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 35.68 oz, after melting 35.63 oz, .928 fine, value of gold $683.50. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.570 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 62.81 oz, after melting 62.73 oz, .907 fine, value of gold $1,176.14. Very Fine. R6. $450.
No.540 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 28.90 oz, after melting 28.85 oz, .935 fine, value of gold $557.61. Very Fine. R6. $350.
No.602 Bullion deposit and assay results. Weight before melting 105.24 oz, after melting 105.14 oz, .892 fine, value of gold $1,938.70. Very Fine. R6. $450.
Please see the Wass, Molitor piece listed alphabetically under Wass later in this catalog.
Hand bill advertising steamer service to San Francisco, California via Aspenwall and Panama, as a direct “Opposition to Monopoly”. This company attempted to operate as competition to the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. and its related companies. Extremely Fine. $600. Sold
This scrip for the Northern Electric Company was unknown until recently when a small group was discovered in the San Francisco Bay area by a well-known dealer. It is thought that less than 20 pieces are known and in fact there may as few as a dozen known. All of the denominations, $1, $5, $10, $20, are not fully issued and the $5, $10 & $20 pieces have been cancelled by small whole punches through the signature of the President. The $1 denomination have no cancellations but were not fully issued either. At present the $1 denominations are not known in uncirculated condition.
The examples here represent the majority of the discovery and all have been professionally graded by PMG. The Northern Electric Company was the parent of the Northern Electric Railroad based in San Francisco The scrip was to have been issued November 15, 1907 and payable Jan 15th, 1908. it is unknown if any were ever fully issued. Each is signed by Henry A. Butters as President. This company may have been a victim of the stock market crash and financial panic of 1907-8 caused by over speculation in worthless mining companies.
The $1 scrip notes are ornately engraved on the back in the style of some of the finest engraving on U.S. notes. In the center is an RN facsimile with Northern Electric Railway logo. The reverses of the other notes are blank. The Northern Electric Company was the successor to the Chico Electric Railway.
The new company extended the railway service to Oroville, Yuba City, Marysville and Sacramento, with other branches to nearby communities. The railroad then proceeded to expand to Bay Area cities and generally did well until about the onset of WWI, when commercial business on all rail lines subsided. This rail line is notable to collectors because one of the founding fathers was Wendell P. Hammon, the father of one of the west's first great ephemera dealers based in Sacramento.
Hammon was a major player in the Yuba gold dredging fields. Other partners of theirs in this venture included the Lillienthal family, long time San Francisco whiskey merchants, and Henry A. Butters a probable relative of the engineer on the Comstock who was one of the first to mass process low grade Comstock ores at a mill bearing the family name. All of the scrip is printed by Britton & Rey of San Francisco, who were considered the top lithographers in the west ever since the gold rush period. [Ref: Poor's Manuals, 1906, etc.]
Series D PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. $550.
Series D PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. $550.
Series A PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated. $2,150.
Series A PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated. $2,150.
Series B PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. $550.
Series B PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. $1,250.
Series C PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. $1,250.
Series C PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. $1,250.
Unissued proof. R-7 The ill fated rail line was originally intended to run along the Pacific coast between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Initial construction began in 1905 but the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 delayed its completion. Two tunnels were built at Devil’s Slide and Davenport, as well as bridges and trestles in various places along the route, but the line was never completed. At the San Francisco end, the tracks were finished south to Tunitas Creek below Half Moon Bay, and at the Santa Cruz end the tracks were completed as far north as Swanton, just beyond Davenport. In San Francisco the trains were electric but the rest was operated with steam locomotives, and later, with self propelled railcars. Although the line, such as it was, was used for about seven years, it never recovered from the damages of 1906, and was basically abandoned in 1921. A segment of the railroad in the southeast section of San Francisco was taken over and operated by the Western Pacific Railroad, which was in use until the mid 1980's, the time that the last part of the Ocean Shore was in operation. Today there is an elementary/middle school located where the rail line ran and it is called Ocean Shore school. Green safety print and under print, black lettering. Printer – Britton & Rey. 3 ½” x 7 ¾.” Small brown stain in lower left corner, otherwise Excellent. $1,200.
No. 86. This note was unknown to western collectors prior to the sale of the Ford Collection in 2007. It has a vignette of an eagle at top center and California state seal at left between two fancy engraved “100”s. This is a $100 bearer note issued as a certificate of deposit, dated about one month after the failure of Adams & Co. and subsequent bank crash. It was printed by Britton and Rey of San Francisco. The note is signed on the obverse by Marriots & Wheeler in the President area at right and M.L. Lersner as Secretary. At left vertically is the signature of Alfred Wheeler in red ink. This is note #86. On the reverse is a lengthy discourse entitled “Notice to Depositors”. It reads, “Money in Cash, or Gold Dust, will be received on Deposit in sums of Ten Dollars and upwards, for which Certificates of Deposit will be issued. Our certificates are issued in the sum of Ten and One Hundred Dollars, and in such other convenient amounts as . . . and are represented by the actual cash or gold dust deposited with us.” “Frederick Marriot, Alfred Wheeler.”
Marriott and Wheeler formed this bank is September 1854. Wheeler was a real estate and title man. Marriott was also a real estate man involved in San Francisco as early as 1850. Most importantly, Marriott was involved with the original Saving and Exchange Bank, and in 1851 he printed $2,500 in paper money and attempted to put it into circulation, which met with vigorous opposition. This note represents a second attempt of Marriott's to issue private currency during the gold rush period. “Californians were justly fearful of anything that looked like bank note currency, and it was felt that the certificates would soon begin to circulate in the channels of trade and thus open the door to a flood of private bank notes,” commented Ira Cross in the History of Banking in California.
The bank failed in July 1856. This note may be the only note surviving from either of Marriott's private bank currency that he issued during the California Gold Rush period. It will undoubtedly rank among the great western bank notes in future years and deservedly should be collected along side the great California private gold coins.
This note has been professionally repaired along a long horizontal tear near the center. The repair appears to be a 19th century repair. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $12,500.
Bill of Lading for Macondray & Co. Shipment of gold dust valued at $10,000 on the steamer Oregon, commanded by Patterson going from San Francisco to Panama. 52 lb package containing 625 troy oz of gold dust. Once at Panama, scheduled to transfer by mule over to the Atlantic side where it was picked up by a steamer owned by Howland & Aspinwall bound for New York, February 28, 1850. Exceptionally early piece. The package was insured by three different insurance companies, equally divided, according to a handwritten note on the back of the document. Macondray & Co. was one of the businesses described by Bancroft in his detailed canvas of San Francisco businesses in 1850. Stains at center and left corner, chip at top. This wonderful receipt is a rare circumstance of one of the very large, private gold dust shipments from California to New York. While receipts of significantly lesser amount survived, few survived in the $10,000 value range because they were generally secret, and often traveled east under the direct care of an agent. $4,500.
Bill of Lading for Crosby & Dibblee. Shipment of gold bars on the steamer the Golden Age, commanded by Watkins valued at $21,000 being sent from San Francisco to Panama. In 1859, when this document was issued, it was more commonplace to melt the dust into bars for shipment. This receipt is important because it shows the markings that would have been present on the box that contained the bars, such that had this ship sunk, the contents would easily have been visible by location of the markings on the outside of the box. Separated at center along fold. Importantly, the reverse has two original adhesive California revenue stamps. One is a bill of lading first $40 and the second stamp is a bill of lading first $2.00.Original California Gold Rush bills of lading for gold shipments with revenue stamps are rare. $3,500.
Bill of Lading for Parrott & Co. Shipment of gold coin on the steamer the Golden Age, commanded by Watkins valued at $15,000 going from San Francisco to Panama. Another shipment on the same ship as previously described. The markings on the box are similar to the last bill of lading described. The reverse of this receipt has two original adhesive California revenue stamps. One is a bill of lading first $10.00 and the second is a bill of lading first $20.00 stamp. The piece is signed at lower left by T. Deidesheimer, an unknown relation to famous Comstock Engineer Phillip Deidesheimer. The shippers of this lot were Parrott & Co., San Francisco bankers. Very Fine with some album mounts on the back. $4,500.
Page, Bacon & Company was one of the early important gold rush banking and express businesses in San Francisco They got their start in 1849 and were part of the Page, Bacon & Co. of St. Louis. The company's San Francisco partners were originally Henry Haight, namesake San Francisco's famous Haight Street of the Haight-Ashbury area, and David Chambers. Francis Page, the brother of the principal, lived in Sacramento. Haight later became Governor of California. Page, Bacon & Co. was a victim of the 1855 bank crash. The company suffered a second run on the bank a few months later, which caused permanent failure.
Payable to B.R. Brukelew for $500.00 signed by Geo. H. Ensign. This check has no vignettes, but has a fancy printed design at left as a safety feature. Generally Fine to Very Fine. On the reverse is an original seal of some sort. $300.
Three Blank, unissued, uncut checks from the San Francisco office of Page, Bacon & Co. 185x (Probably 1853) Vignette at upper left of their three story San Francisco bank building. R5. Generally Extremely Fine, except for light brown stain on right edge. $300.
No.9998 Second of exchange signed by Page, Bacon & Co. Pay to the order of Sandy Brown for $2200.00. Vignette at left of sailor and maiden holding American flag. Vignette at top center allegorical American maiden in San Francisco harbor with a mine pick at her left. Vignette of California state seal at bottom. Printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. New York and Philadelphia. Vertical at left Page & Bacon, St. Louis, Mo. Top, Page, Bacon & Co. Exchange and Banking Houses, San Francisco. Probably R6. Document torn at fold and taped on back. Otherwise Fine. $350.
Payable to B.R. Buckelew for $300.00 signed by Geo. H. Ensign, who figured prominently in the early history of the City's water supply and died at Stockton, Oct. 2, 1871. Ensign's lumber business is described by Bancroft in his 1850 canvas of San Francisco businesses. At left, vignette of a clipper ship inside of a nautical reef, at right vignette of the California State Seal. Printed by Wheeler, Beale & Co., New York. Rarity R5. Extremely Fine. $250.
Pay to McAllister $50,000. Signed by Theodore Payne & Co. Vignette of Indian at left, California state seal at right. Printed by Wheeler, Beale & Co. New York. Cancelled at center. “Good Page Bacon & Co.” Probably R5. Fine to Very Fine. $150. Sold
Check for $30,450 payable to “Bills Payable”. Signed by Theo Payne & Co. Vignette of Indian at left, California State Seal at right. Printed by Wheeler, Beale & Co. New York. On the reverse it stated “This money was borrowed of Page, Bacon & Co. for 15% at 3% per month to pay on account of the purchase price of the property. Deed delivered July 25, 1858 at which time this money was paid.” Payne was another of the businesses described by Bancroft in his canvas of 1850 businesses. They owned an auction house. Extremely Fine. $150.
No.16564 First of exchange signed by Page, Bacon & Co. Pay to the order of A. Loffin for $500.00. This form is important because it says exchange and banking houses for Page & Bacon in St. Louis and Page, Bacon & Co. in Sacramento City in California. This piece is datelined Sacramento City. Rarity thought to be R7. Very Good. $550. Sold
No. 39.054 First of exchange payable to Robert Aull, Esq. $300.00. Signed by Page & Bacon. This is one of the rare Page & Bacon pieces. At left is “Page, Bacon & Company, California” and at top is “Banking House of Page Bacon, St. Louis, MO'. Printed by Danforth, Wright & Co. Philadelphia & New York. At lower left is a vignette of Page. In the center is a wonderful vignette of a lady and two young sailors in a row boat. At right is a vignette of a train. Six vertical lines through center as cancellation of the endorsement on reverse. Fine condition. Probably R8, maybe R7. We've seen only one or two in thirty years. Extremely Fine. No photograph. $450.
No.7304 First of Exchange for $300.00 Signed Page & Bacon out of St. Louis. Very Good. $150.
Like Page, Bacon & Company this was one of the early San Francisco express and banking companies that opened in 1849. The original partners were Joseph C. Palmer, Charles W. Cook, George W. Wright and Edward Jones. Ira Cross, in his 1927 History of Banking in California said they engaged in questionable political activities from the start. James King of William, the vocal newspaper editor who was assassinated in 1856, attacked the bank vigorously in the press. He alone was primarily responsible for their failure that year. While Palmer and Cook closed the doors July 29, 1856 it was not legally dissolved until Jan 21, 1857.
No.1021 Payable to F.P. Tracey for $246, Signed by Sheriff John C. Hays and Deputy Johnson. Blue ink on oyster paper. No vignette but at left is a safety pattern that involves the interwoven initials “FCCECK”. Hays is the namesake of San Francisco's Hays Street. Hays was Sheriff for two terms, 1850-1851. Bancroft did not report any stories of his escapades. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Oval blue “PAID” at center. Probably R5. $350. Sold
No.336 Check for $30.00 payable to Robert Kerrison signed by F. Johnson. Blue ink on oyster colored paper. Vignette of dog at upper right, with a vignette of liberty with shield seated at left. Printed by John C. Beale, New York. Probably R5. Very Fine. $150.
Two uncut checks from Palmer, Cook & Co. Bankers, San Francisco and printed by O’Meara located on Clay Street in San Francisco. The checks were obviously removed from a checkbook and placed in a scrapbook as noted by the early paper adhesions on the reverse. These are fairly rare, but uncut pairs are Extremely Rare. Very Fine. No photograph. $150.
Unissued check for Parrott & Co, San Francisco. No printer. Extremely Fine. No photograph. $125.
No.758 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited with assay results. This receipt measures 10 ½ x 4 ½” and was printed by Town Talk Printers on buff colored paper with red ink. The weight before melting was 10 oz, after melting 9.52 oz, fineness .859, net value $165.04. The receipt has some light foxing and the typical “pocket” folds chacteristic of having been folded and then carried in the pocket or wallet of the depositor as he left the assay office. Extremely rare, probably an R8. $4,500. Sold
Assay Report for Emma Mine, Pinal County AZ. This is a four page letter sheet for J.S. Phillips, Assayer, San Francisco, 1879. The letter and report refer to the Emma Mine in Pinal County, AZ for samples taken from the 55 foot level, which yielded $292 per ton of silver and 20.2% lead. Phillips was an important assayer and consulting mining engineer in the 1870’s and 1880’s. His breakout work was a book entitled, The Explorers, Miners and Metallurgist’s Companion, which he published in 1879. At the time, this work was considered the most up to date, technical work on assaying. A full page advertisement for that book is part of this four page letter sheet. Ephemera from Phillips is exceptionally rare and this piece is an R8 and may be Unique. Very Fine. $1,500.
[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">.