CALIFORNIA - San Joaquin County through Yuba County

SAN JOAQUIN

 

533.        San Joaquin.  Stockton.  El Dorado Brewing Co Color Billheads, 1916.  Lot of 2 identical pieces.  At left is a gold and red logo with three gold medals forming a triangle with palm trees behind.  One of the medals is the company logo, the second shows the California State Seal and the third is for the Universal Exposition, MCMIC (1904).  At top center is El Dorado Brewing Co, Brewers & Bottlers, (in blue ink), Valley Brew, Lager Beer (in red ink).  Datelined Stockton, Cal, 1916.  Both sheets have a one inch tear at bottom right edge.  The second sheet is browned about a whiter box from apparent sun exposure.  Very fine.  Est. $25-50

 

SAN MATEO

 

534.        San Mateo.  1947 Appraisal Survey for San Mateo County Beaches, by the Burlingame Real Estate Board.  This hard bound report includes a letter regarding the San Mateo Master Plan, Parcel Maps and photographs of the parcels.  11 3/4 x 9.  Maroon and crème cover; a bit damaged at edges.  Seems to be water damaged — pages warped.  Commissioned by the State of California, under the direction of Henning and Parks & Rec., this appraisal probably represents the first 10 beaches taken over by California following WWII.  In all, 25 beaches were “bought” by the sate from 1945-1955.  The parcel descriptions include a map of the beach along with a description of its recreation, location and acreage.  Pictures taken of various views follow each description.  Thornton Beach, northern part of San Mateo, Sharp Park and Montara Beach are only a few of those mentioned in this land survey.  This is only one example of the rapid growth and change California has gone through.  These purchases were, no doubt, just the beginnings of California’s massive expansion.  Est. $25-75

SANTA BARBARA

 

535.        Santa Barbara.  (Los Alamos).  G. Grifingher/ (fancy scroll design)// GF/ 1/ Drink.  Rd, br, 21mm.  F, pitting, portion of edge missing.  Est. $25-50

536.        Santa Barbara.  Santa Ynez.  G. A./Ilenstine//Good For/50¢/In Trade.  Rd, br, 25mm.  Minor oxidation.  Extremely fine.  Est. $25-50

537.        Santa Barbara.  Santa Ynez.  Lot of 2 tokens.  G. A. Ilenstine/Santa Ynez,/Calif.//Good For/50¢/In Trade.  Rd, br, 30mm.  Minor oxidation.  Unc.  Est. $50-100

538.        Santa Barbara.  Santa Ynez.  M. A. Martindale/Santa Ynez,/Calif.//Good For/10¢/In Trade.  Diamond, 31mm.  Extremely fine.  Est. $25-50

SANTA CLARA

 

539.        Santa Clara.  New Almaden.  Important 5pp document for the Quicksilver Mining Co. of New York from 9/1864 between David Crawford and 14 individuals: James Eldridge, Benjamin Sprague, Sam Arnold, E. Nightingale, Wm Angell, C. Bradley, Walter Lawton, Wm Poms, David Crawford, Jr., Thos. Scott, S.F. Butterworth, W. Duncan, S. L. M. Barlow, and E. Hoyt. The document contains 9 original signatures with notes on the others.  These men agreed to pool their money to buy and sell not more than 30,000 shares of the Quicksilver Mining Co. stock and make Crawford the sole agent for the group. They proposed to raise a fund of $1 million through each member providing promissory noted for their respective proportional shares.  This document is a n important part of the evolvement of the Quicksilver Mining Co. and of the production at America’s largest mercury mine, New Almaden. New Almaden supplied all of the mercury to the mining mills throughout the west. It was an essential ingredient in amalgamation of gold and silver coming out of stamp mills, and was used heavily in a similar manner in placer gold operations.
                The New Almaden deposits had just come out of a huge lawsuit between various parties and the US government in 1864 that was a product of property boundary and ownership dispute (Fossat Case). At the time, Eldredge (this document) was one of two owners of the property. They had formed the Quicksilver Mining Co. and had gone to battle with the New Almaden Mining Co., over the issue of whether the mine was on a land grant called Berryessa or Larios. The Eldredge group held the Larios, the New Almaden group the Berryessa. The Eldredge group was very well connected in Washington and with eastern financiers (see this document). The Quicksilver MC “tried to get the government to seize the mine,” according to Johnson in The New Almaden Quicksilver Mine, 1963. Abraham Lincoln became involved, and there are a dozen letters or so in the Library of Congress regarding this case (seen by FH in September). On May 8, 1863 Lincoln ordered  a reversal of the Fossat case on the grounds of fraud, and had the US Marshal “remove there from each any and every person…” and deliver the property to the agent of the QMC. Butterworth, one of the signers of this document, was with the marshals sent to remove the occupants. They were refused admittance, and military force seemed necessary. After intense negotiation lasting two months, the New Almaden Co. agreed to sell out to the QMC for $1.75 million. It was also revealed that the majority of owners of the QMC were British, a fact that may have negated any title that the NAQMC may have had. In fact, in 1872, the British sued in International court, trying to regain control of the mine or get better compensation, but lost. At the time of the settlement, the stock rose from $35 to $75 per share.  The new management went on to do extremely well. Mining writer J. Ross Browne wrote a lengthy piece for Harper’s in which he praised Butterworth. From November 1863 to Dec 1867, they produced about 20 million pounds of mercury, and probably helped add to the wealth of these 14 individuals. Scott was a famous railroad financier and frequent investor in western mining ventures. (ref: DAB) Est $150-300

540.        Santa Clara.  New Almaden.  New Almaden Quicksilver Mines Corp.  Cert.#183.  Incorporated in Virginia.  Issued to Berton Griscom & Co. for 100 shares in 1916.  Cancelled by hold punches along president’s signature, and stamp.  Signatures illegible.  Blue border and underprint.  American Bank Note Company, printers.  7 3/4” x 10 1/2”.  New Almaden is the earliest mine made by white men in California. It was begun by the Spanish and named after the famous Almaden deposit in Spain. It produced mercury for western mines for nearly a century. The mercury was used in mills for a separation process to agglomerate fine particles of gold into more manageable masses called amalgam. This company was a subsidiary of the Quicksilver Investment Co.  The parent company had a 25 year lease on the Almaden quicksilver mine which had produced more than $60 million by 1920.  The property is located near San Jose and is the oldest quicksilver mine in the US having produced over a million flasks (76 lbs) by 1917 (ref. Weed, 1920).  Xf.  Est. $25-50

541.        Santa Clara.  San Jose.  McLaughlin & Ryland Bankers RN Checks, 1873.  Lot of 3 pcs.  Datelined San Jose, 1873, and signed by B. P. Rankin.  Orange imprinted revenues at center.  Printer - Corlies, Macy & Co, NY.  Two of the checks are very fine.  The third has a tear at upper right and at the bottom edge.  The paper is dirty also.  Fine to very fine.  Est. $25-50

542.        Santa Clara.  San Jose.  New/ Louvre/ 52/ North First St./ San Jose, Cal.// GF/ 5¢ Drink.  Rd, br, 26mm.  Fine, some minor corrosion to reverse and obverse.  Est. $25-75

543.        Santa Clara.  (San Jose).  Parlor Saloon/ Lynde & Roop// GF/ 1/ Drink.  Rd, br (gilt), 21mm.  Vf, slightly pitted.  In 1911, the business had changed to the Lynde Mercantile Saloon at 11 S. First St (Merchant Directory, 1911).  Est. $40-80

544.        Santa Clara.  (San Jose).  S.P. Depot/ Letcher/ Lunch Room// 5¢.  Rd, br, xf.  21mm.  Post 1894 and pre 1911.  In 1911, the Southern Pacific railroad depot was run by E. Shillingsburg and Letcher was the running the Cadillac dealership.  Est. $75-150

545.        Santa Clara.  (San Jose).  Western/ Saloon// GF/ 25¢/ IT.  Rd, br, 21mm.  Vf, corrosion on reverse.  Attribution not certain.  There were at least three western saloons – San Jose, Chico and Santa Rosa.  All in “Western Hotels”.  Est. $50-100

546.        Santa Clara.  (Santa Clara).  /S. Hasterlick/.  Rd, br, 21mm.  S. Hasterlick Liquors (Saloon) and cigars was located on the corner of Santa Clara and Grant Sts. (Merchants Directory, 1911).  f-vf, uncleaned.  Fancy uniface.  K13.  Est. $25-75

SANTA CRUZ

 

547.        Santa Cruz.  Watsonville.  Watsonville Transportation Co.  Incorporated in California.  $1000 Bond issued in 1904, cert #24.  Signed by R. M. Eaton president and H. McCain secretary.  Vignette of a steam ship at right and of a city passenger train at left.  Orange border and underprint.  Uncancelled.  Printer - Britton & Rey.  9 x 14.  Only two coupons cashed in of original 60, 58 still attached.  We could not find any information within our library about this company.  But we contacted a major collector who indicated that the company was the real deal and was in operation.  Mint condition.  Est. $200-400
SHASTA

 

548.        Shasta.  Redding.  Redding & Vicinty, Ephemera, c. 1890.  Lot of 2 pcs.  The first is an advertisement card which states “Why Pay a Half Dollar, When You Can Get A Good Square Meal for a Quarter at the Pennsylvania House, Redding, Cal., Which is now under the Excellent Management of R. C. Wilson, Families Provided for at Moderate Prices.”  The reverse is blank.  2.5 x 4.  The right edge has been torn off with the “r” of Quarter missing.  Several tears into borders at top and bottom edges.  Chip missing from lower left.  The second piece is a embossed envelope with red ink for the Bullychop Gold Mining Co of Douglas City, Trinity Co., Cal.  The envelope is in extremely fine condition.  Est. $25-50

549.        Shasta.  Shasta Area Silver Prints by R. J. Waters, c1894-1900.  Lot of 3 pcs.  “No. 825 Castle Crags”, “No. 429 Mt. Shasta from Edgewood Copyrighted 1900”, “No. 449 Mt. Shasta from Upper Soda Springs.”  All 7 x 9” with images 4.5 x 7.5”.  All have circular embossed punch in circular pattern at lower right “R. J. Waters/ Permanent/ Photograph/ 110 Sutter/ San Francisco”.  Waters was a major western photographer.  His views of Tahoe, Gold Hill, Virginia City and the Sierra rank him among the best photographers of his time.  He is typically high contrast with very sharp images, as are all three here.  On the reverse is a small circular mark from a rubber stamp “K. S. Denison/ 2/ Oakland Pier.”  Mautz (1888) believed Dennison was one of his retail outlets.  Est. $300-500

550.        Shasta.  Shasta Souvenir Spoons.  Lot of 2 pcs.  Large copper spoon from the Mammoth Smelter with pic of smelter in center of bowl, presented by the Redding Chamber of Commerce, with a mining scene along the handle.  The second spoon in this lot has Mt. Shasta/ pic Shasta/ McCloud California in bowl and along handle.  Sterling.  Circa 1910.  vf-xf.  Est. $100-150

551.        Shasta.  Shasta.  E. Lewin & Co Assay Office Receipt, 1869.  Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited with E. Lewin & Co., by C. C. Bush, Merchants and Bankers.  Bush gave Lewin bullion bar #3129, weighing 35.52 ounces before melting and 33.64 ounces after melting, gold fineness 890, valued at $618.90.  The net value was $611.93.  Lewin ran some of the first assays on Comstock ore (Blake, 1860).  C. C. Bush later ran the Bank of Shasta County at Redding.  3.5 x 10.  Very fine.  Est. $75-150

552.        Shasta.  Shasta.  F. Litsch Gold Transaction with Kruse & Euler, 1875.  Lot of 3 pcs.  J. Litsch, of Shasta, paid a bill to Kruse & Euler with gold dust worth $459.44 as evidence by the receipt from the Mint of the US at SF.  Kruse & Euler then sent a letter of receipt and the results of the bullion deposit indicating that J. Litsch was in good standing.  The letter goes on to solicit more business.  Includes a preprinted Wells, Fargo & Co cover for the letter.  The letter is missing a piece from the left edge, but does not affect letter in the least.  Also the letter has a small stain at fold crease center left.  The bullion receipt at the US Mint has very small stain near left fold crease.  Cover is stained along left edge.  Very fine.  Est. $100-300

553.        Shasta.  Shasta.  Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited at the Branch Mint of the United States .  Dated. 1875.  Kruse & Euler of Shasta, deposited 27 ounces of gold dust (890 fine) with the San Francisco Mint for payment.  Ed Slaver signed for the Sup’t.  4 x 11.  Extremely fine.  Est. $100-200

554.        Shasta.  Shasta.  Memorandum of Gold Bullion, Receipt of Shipment to U. S. Mint at San Francisco, 1874.  Shipment was for “Grains of M. D.” which may refer to Money Dust.  Shipped by Kruse & Euler Merchants and received by Ed Slaver.  Tears along fold creases at two different places.  Staining along left and right fold creases.  Fine.  Est. $150-300

555.        Shasta.  Shasta.  San Francisco Assaying & Refining Works Bullion Deposit Receipts, 1868-69.  Lot of 5 pcs.  These bullion deposits were by Kruse & Euler on behalf of the C. C. Bush & Co, Shasta, which is written in the lower left of each receipt.  Louis Garnett, manager and John Hewston, Jr., assayer, at San Francisco Assaying & Refining Works were later successors of the US Assay Office.  Three of the receipts have a vignette at left of their building located at 416 Montgomery St, SF.  The other two have no vignettes.  Some staining along folds, one receipt has a tear at bottom edge.  Very fine.  Est. $300-600
556.        Shasta.  Shasta.  Wells, Fargo & Co.  Framed Receipt for one $500 bag of gold dust to be sent to the US Mint at SF.  Sent by F. Litsch.  Includes a red Well, Fargo & Co label from “Shasta, Cal.”  Frame is professional with black matting.  Extremely fine.  Est. $75-150

557.        Shasta.  Shasta.  Wells, Fargo & Co.  Six receipts for gold dust sent by Frank Litsch in Shasta to Kruse & Euler in San Francisco and one other merchant, Fletch Brothers & Co.  All dated 1882 and signed by Hopping and Dobrowksy, Agents.  Extremely fine.  Est. $100-200

558.        Shasta.  Whiskeytown.  Betty May Gold Mines, Ltd.  Incorporated in Nevada 1929.  Issued to Marna Nergres for 5 shares, cert #69, in 1930.  Signed by Edward Ragos president and Betty May Ragos secretary.  Vignette of spread winged eagle.  Green border and safety print.  Uncancelled.  Printer - GOES.  8 x 11.  The company had lode and placer claims in Murders Gulch in the Whiskeytown district that was formerly known as the Lottery mine.  Murders Gulch is said to have had some of the largest nuggets in California’s early history.  (Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 500).  A few dark stains at bottom edge and in corporate seal.  Very fine.  Est. $25-50

559.        Shasta.  Whiskeytown.  Betty May Gold Mines, Inc., Ltd.  Cert.#67.  Incorporated in Nevada in 1929.  Issued to Norma Niegrus for 10 shares in 1930.  Signed by president Edward Ragos and secretary Betty May Ragos.  Vignette of spread-winged bald eagle stretched across masthead.  Green border and underprint,  Printed by Goes.  See above lot for the story.  8 1/2” x 11”.  Est. $25-50

SIERRA

 

560.        Sierra.  Alleghany.  Armstrong/ Bros./ Alleghany// GF/ 10¢/ IT.  Rd, br, 21mm.  Xf.  Scarce and desirable.  Est. $25-75

561.        Sierra.  Alleghany.  Twenty-One Gold Quartz MC.  Incorporated in 1863.  Issued to Chas. A. Peake for 50 shares, cert #131, in 1865.  Signed by R. T. Brown president and J. T. Glover secretary.  Vignette at top center of a crude spread winged eagle with American Flag behind.  Vignette at lower left of a woman holding scales and a sword.  Black border with red underprint.  Uncancelled.  Printed - Union Job Print.  5 x 10.  Located in Sierra Co printed on certificate.  The company’s operation was located on Kanaka Creek one mile below Alleghany.  “Has produced little.”  They built a four stamp mill that was idle by 1867. (Browne, 1868).  They remained idle through at least 1873 (Raymond).  In later years, the property was leased to North American Exploration Co.  Total production was about $100,000 from high grade pockets.  The property later became part of the Original Sixteen to One mine (MacBoyle, 1920).  R. T. Brown was a dry good merchant in Sacramento in 1853 (Sacramento Directory, 1853-54).  J. T. Glover and Chas Peake was not listed.  Faded 25 cent adhesive stamp affixed at upper left corner.  Near mint condition.  Est. $600-900

562.        Sierra.  Loyalton.  Loyalton Bird’s Eye View Photo, c 1900.  10 x 12” photograph on gray board marked P. J. Thompson, Loyalton, Cal.  The photograph shows a railroad engine pulling three cars that may be the Boca and Loyalton RR.  There are about three lumber mills in view and numerous houses.  Very slightly faded.  No folds, chips, scratches.  Est. $150-300

563.        Sierra.  Sierra City.  Harmony Lodge Receipts, 1888 & 1890.  Lot of 2 pcs.  These are receipts of payment from the Harmony Lodge, No 164, F. & A. M. datelined Sierra City, Cal.  Sierra City is located on the South Fork of the North Yuba River about 12 miles north of Downieville.  Downie claimed to have discovered gold in the area in 1850-51.  The town was destroyed by an avalanche in 1852.  The town was rebuilt by the Reis brothers and by 1857, the grand order of the E clampus Vitus was founded in the town.  The Reis family had three brothers, Ferdinand, Christian and Gustav, who were German emigrants.  They came to California and mined at Mariposa before moving to the area and by 1857 had bought most of the Sierra Buttes just north of the town of Sierra City.  Gold production neared $30 million with activity still taking place in the 1940’s (Gudde, 1975, p. 319-200.  Very fine.  Est. $25-50
SISKIYOU

 

564.        Siskiyou(?).  Salmon GMC.  Cert.#255.  Incorporated in Maine in 1895.  Issued to Hattie S. Flannery for 100 shares in 1901.  Signed by president L. Schligelwilch and secretary Paul.  Vignette of two men standing over mine slough on hillside with hydraulic mining in background.  Black border.  No printer noted.  Very attractive certificate.  7 1/4” x 10 1/2”.  Xf.  We were unable to find any information on this company, but it is probably from Siskiyou County, a gold region in northern California.  Est. $50-150

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

 

565.        Southern California.  Southern California (Clover Family) Photo Archive, 1916.  Lot of 20 photos.  The photos include Baldwin Peak, Clover’s Ranch and other unidentified places.  Appear to all be the Clover family.  Largest is 5 x 7, others 2.5 x 3.5 and 3.5 x 5.  Fine to very fine.  Est. $25-50

566.        Southern California.  Southern California Photo Archive, c. 1910-1920.  Lot of 100+ photos.  The is a family photo album, the family is unknown.  The photos are identified and typically dated.  These locations include:  San Juan Capistrano, Santa Barbara, La Jolla, El Cajon Pass, Point Loma, Oceanside, San Jacinto Earthquake, Barstow, Mill Creek, Ramona, East Newport, Ontario, Laguna Beach, Santa Fe Station at Redlands, Victorville and the Arrowhead Hotel.  Very nice and very fine.  Est. $100-200

STANISLAUS

 

567.        Stanislaus.  Sonora.  Stanislaus Central Bridge Co.  Incorporated in California 1852.  Unissued.  Very attractive vignette that is divided into three circles that have ivy garnishing the rims.  At left is a scene of a paddle wheel steamer with a small row boat, at center is a suspension bridge with a horse drawn stage coach crossing, and at right of a steam train pulling away from a terminal.  Black border.  Printer - Dispatch Office, Commercial Street, SF.  Signed by Bryce president and Lewis C. Gunn secretary.  Datelined Sonora.  Wilson Collection in blue rubber stamp at top edge.  Extremely fine.  Est. $500-1000

SUTTER

 

568.        Sutter.  Nicolaus.  Internal Revenue License for Distilling Brandies, 1866.  Issued to N. Algier (sic).  Nicholaus Allgeier came to California in 1840, trapping for the Hudson’s Bay Co.  In 1842, he received a tract of land from Sutter along the Feather River where he set up a small hut and operated a ferry.  Soon a small town sprang up with Allgeier’s namesake - Nicolaus (Gudde, 1949, p. 236).  It appears that this license was either issued to Allgeier or his offspring and the last name was just misspelled leaving out an ‘e’.  Tears along the fold creases.  Trimmed very tight at left edge, affecting the border.  Black border and print.  Vignette at top center of eagle.  Very fine.  Est. $125-250

TRINITY

 

569.        Trinity.  Geologic Atlas of the United States, Redding Folio, 1906.  18” x 22”.  Includes detailed geologic description in text, topographic map, geologic map and several large format illustrations and photographs of the geologic features of the Redding area.  Charles D. Walcott was director of the USGS during this time.  Geology by J. S. Diller.  Some chips missing from front cover near binding.  Upper left corner of rear cover is missing 2 x 1 piece.  In red pencil is the word PADDISON on rear cover; this has an unknown derivation to us.  Very fine.  Est. $75-150

570.        Trinity.  Weaverville.  Galvin Gold Dredging Co Pictorial Letterheads, 1901.  Lot of 7 pcs.  The letterhead has a oval shaped photovignette of a dredge inset a drawing of a miner operating a sluice box at waters edge with a mountain range in background.  The letters are all typewritten and addressed to Capt Couch, Oroville.  Capt. Couch was a financial backer of several mines in California and Montana.  His name shows up many times in correspondence with different addresses, one being Butte.  The letters content are advising Mr. Couch of potential properties for lease or sale.  All are signed by Joseph Shaw.  Very fine.  Est. $50-100
TULARE

 

Tulare.  Traver.  Photograph by CC Curtis of Traver. Please see San Francisco.  Fratinger.

TUOLUMNE

 

571.        Tuolumne.  (Columbia).  Pay Ore/ Saloon/ Vassallo, Prop.// GF/ 5¢/ IT.  Rd, br, 21mm.  Xf.  Vassallo was running the Pay Ore Saloon here asearly as 1894.  The term “Pay Ore” refers to mineral rock that can be sold for cash.  Est. $50-100

572.        Tuolumne.  Columbia.  Black Oak GMC.  Cert.#1328.  Incorporated in Nevada in 1921.  Issued to Albert N. Page fro 100 shares in 1926.  Signed by vice-president Wm. B. Randall.  No vignette, brown border.  Printed by Security Bank Note Co.  Fine, top and left edge rough.  8 1/4” x 12”.  To the best of our knowledge, and per the 1924/1926 Mines Handbook, the company was organized to take over the holdings of the Black Oak M&MC, information which could not be confirmed.  Little was known as to the function of this company.  It was reported also in Weed that the company stock was removed from the New York Curb, having falsely run up “fictitious” sales.  It seems that this company may have never actually existed.  (Ref: Weed, 1924, p.525; 1926, 439).  Est. $25-50

573.        Tuolumne.  Columbia.  Columbia Gulch Fluming Co.  Incorporated in 1854.  Issued to D. O. Mills & Co for 1856, cert #59, in 1856.  Signed by Sam Green president and O. Bormey secretary.  No vignette.  Black border and print.  No printer noted.  Cancelled on reverse by black pen in 1857.  5 x 10.  Datelined Columbia.  The Columbia Gulch Fluming Co and the Tuolumne County Water Co were competitors, but later were part of the Tuolumne County water Co which supplied most of the water to the county by 1867.  The company owned two ditches and several reservoirs, which played a role in the mining economies of the region.  The high cost of water created a lot of strife among the miners, resulting in assassination, threats and vandalism.  Columbia is one of the richest of the Mother Lode mining districts and is today a State Park (Browne & Raymond, various).  Extremely fine.  Est. $400-700

574.        Tuolumne.  Columbia.  Tuolumne County Water Co.  Cert.#3190.  Incorporated in California in 1851.  Issued in 1859 to John Simies, Trustee for 1 share.  Signed by John Chesney as president, and Joe Pownall as secretary.  Black border on crème paper.  Britton and Rey, lithographers.  Fantastic Placer mining scene to the left, featuring specific mining equipment, such as a rocker, long tom and gold panners.  Columbia was one of the richest California Gold areas in the center of the mother lode.  Organized in 1851, the company’s main function was to support Columbia’s mining exploits with water, transported by ditch.  Financier D.O. Mills bought into the company heavily, which enabled the purchase of the Columbia Gulch.  All of it was profitable through about 1860.  Very fine, with only a small rip and puncture in the center.  6 1/4”  x 10”.  Est. $150-300

575.        Tuolumne.  Columbia.  Tuolumne County Water Co.  Issued to John Leary for 405 shares, cert #3281, in 1858.  Signed by Jas. M. Chesney president and Jas. Bowman secretary.  Gorgeous vignette at left of miners working a sophisticated placer operation.  Black border and print on crème paper.  Uncancelled.  Printer - Lith Britton & Rey, San Francisco.  Trimmed tight at left.  Certificate is discolored on the right half as compared to the left half.  Very fine.  Est. $100-200

576.        Tuolumne.  Columbia.  Tuolumne Soda Works/ Tuolumne, Cal.  12 oz. aqua soda bottle.  Rare.  Clean, mint.  Circa 1905.  Est. $25-50

577.        Tuolumne.  Summerfield.  Seminole MC.  Inc. in NJ, 1900.  Cert #1791, issued to S. Wesselius for 100 shares in 1903.  Signed by pres. Whurdors (?) Wiley and treas. Wm. P. Mitchell.  Vignette at top left of Indian with headdress. Counterstamp goes right through the vignette. Brown border and underprint, embossed seal.  Fancy masthead.  Printer – Snyder & Black, NY.  11 x 7 1/2.  Uncancelled.  XF.  “Property sold, 1904, by the sheriff, to Carl Henrich,” Stevens, Copper Handbook, 1905, p718. No location given. Burchard and Crawford make numerous writeups about the Seminole property in Tuolumne County, in the Mother Lode. It was a full sized patented claim, but non-productive. Most of the work was done in the late 1880’s through 1900, thus our very strong suspicion that this was the California property, since it went broke as well. Very attractive. Est. $150-300
TURLOCK

 

578.        Turlock.  Turlock Irrigation District, $500 Bond, cert #563, issued in 1893.  Signed by E. V. Cogswell president and R. M. Williams secretary.  Above secretary’s signature is the signature of C. N. Whitmore.  Vignette of a valley with croplands and a large dam overflowing like a waterfall in the background.  Small vignettes of a bear’s head in the corners.  Black border, fancy gilt seal.  Cancelled by hole punches of same through secretary’s signature and rubber stamp of “PAID”.  Printer - H. S. Crocker Co, SF.  12 x 18.  Edges worn with several 0.5 to 1 inch tears.  None effect border.  Fine to very fine.  “Located in Stanislaus & Merced Counties” printed on certificate.  Est. $75-150

UNKNOWN

 

579.        Unknown.  California-Nevada MC.  Inc. in NV, 1902.  Cert #2230, issued to W.B. Stewart for 500 shares in 1903.  Signed by vp A.T. Van Sickle and asst. sec. N. Hinton.  Spread-winged bald eagle vignette at top right.  Datelined Los Angeles.  Printer – A.C. Goodwin, Albany, NY.  12 x 9 1/4.  Uncancelled.  Many folds, somewhat wrinkled, very fine.  Unable to find reference to this company in our library. Fancy. Est. $35-75

580.        Unknown.  Murchie Extension GMC.  Inc. in AZ, 1906.  Cert #449, unissued.  Signed by pres. H.G. Behneman and sec. W.H. Fraser.  Underground mining scene at top left; six small vignettes of miners incorporated in border.  Black border, gilt seal and safety print.  Datelined San Francisco, CA.  Printer – Brown & Power Inc.SF.  11 x 8.  Uncancelled.  Extremely fine.  Crease at top right corner.  Unable to find reference to this company in our library.  Est. $25-50

581.        Unknown.  Murchie Leasing & MC.  Inc. in AZ, 1906.  Cert #173, unissued.  Signed by vp A.J.McKellog and sec. N.N. Fraser.  Underground mining vignette.  Gilt border with small vignettes of miners at both sides.  Small vignette in underprint of a woman holding scales.  Gilt underprint.  Datelined San Francisco.  Printer – Brown & Power Inc. SF.  Uncancelled.  Very fine.  Unable to locate this company in our library.  Est. $25-50

582.        Unknown.  Odd Fellows/ (Pic-two connected faces, facing away from eachother)/ Quis Rides// Honour/ )Pic-palm of hand)/ James.  Circa 1850.  May have been used in the California Gold Rush.  Rd, br, 25mm, vf, some dings to edges.  Est. $25-50

 

YOLO

 

583.        Yolo.  Davis.  Pugh/ &/ Grady/ Davis,/ Cal.// GF/ 5¢/ IT.  Rd, al, 24mm.  Vf, dirt in lettering, dark spot on obverse.  K 7.  Scarce.  Est. $25-75

YUBA

 

584.        Yuba.  Camptonville.  Orient Gold Placer Mining Co, Archive, 1913-1924.  Lot of 12 pcs.  This archive documents the activity associated with the Orient Placer Claim located one mile from Nigger Tent (not listed in Gudde, 1949) near Camptonville.  The earliest document is for the patent of the Hanover Placer claim by the German family in 1913.  The next document is a handwritten report of the production of the Orient Mine, 1914, signed by W. A. Hood.  Hood was probably a lesser of the property from the German family.  By 1919, the German family had incorporated the Orient Gold Placer MC and there is a receipt for taxes on their claims paid to Sierra County.  The next chronological document is from 1923 and is a Proof of Labor on Mining Claim for the Orient Gold Placer Mine located within the Indian Creek Mining District of Sierra County.  The description of work done is “Cleaning out and repairing tunnel and buildings.”  This form is signed by and issued to M. G. Calvin.  In February of 1924, a legal lease agreement was made out for J. C. O’Conner, of Yuba, to work the property.  This agreement was to be valid for six months or until an option or outright sale was conducted.  The original family was still firmly in possession of the Orient mine as evidenced by the signatures on the lease:  Amalia Rodgers, president and Mrs. Odgers German, secretary of the Orient Gold Placer MC.  It seems that Mr. O’Conner dropped his lease, H. J. Wright filed the Proof of Labor on the Orient Mine in July, 1924.  The last pieces to this archive are letters to Mr. Wright of Nevada City, also the name on the Proof of Labor form.  The letters are written by Jefferson A. Casserly of Allegany.  Mr. Casserly is negotiating for the right to do some prospecting work on the property of the Orient Placer mine.  Mr. Wright apparently told Casserly that the mine was for sale for $40,000.  Mr. Casserly responds with statements of an expert from SF that the mine has never produced much gold, for every $10 put in $1 comes out, how Mr. Hood (who operated the mine in 1914, document above) lost $125,000 in the mine.  Mr. Casserly, in the last line of his second letter, asks for leniency in the prices and (to be) favorable to a prospector go ahead.  The last line of Mr. Casserly’s desire to prospect at the Orient, but clearly does not want to buy it, is found in his P.S. line “Surely a man who still has faith in a mine after such a rough going is entitled to some considerations.”  A story, although with several time gaps, can be developed.  There is a relationship with the Halkyard Placer claim and it there seems to have been a tunnel driven between the two placer claims.  There is no listing in the Mines Handbooks for the Orient Gold Placer MC suggesting the company was never a publicly traded company.  This is a validated by the German family still controlling the property some 10 years, at least.  Includes three covers.  Very fine.  Est. $100-200

585.        Yuba.  Smartsville.  Mammoth Channel GMC.  Cert.#2326.  Incorporated in Nevada in 1907.  Issued to R.G. Stapleton for 50 shares in 1910.  Signed by president J.R. Foster and secretary E.R. Argersingen.  Vignette of men in underground mining scene.  Black border, gilt seal.  Printed by Utah Litho Co.  No data could be located in various issues of the Mines Handbook on this company.  Name suggests they were placer operators. The Mammoth Channel was at Smartsville, a well-known placer mining district. [ref: CDMG Bull 135, 1946]  Extremely fine.  Est. $25-50

586.        Yuba.  Timbuctoo.  Yellow postal cover (envelope) with Timbuctoo post mark, mailed May 14, 1868.  The stamp has an unusual cancel device of four squares inside a circle in a greenish-blue ink. The Timbuctoo cancel is at lower left.  The cover is rag left.  This postmark was used from 1861-1870 according to Williams in California Town Postmarks.  Timbuctoo was a small gold camp in the foothills.  The story provided by Gudde in California Place Names was that an African-American miner was there panning gold singing a tune about Timbuctoo when other miners approached, and the name stuck.  The cover is addressed to George P. Morrill in New Hampshire.  Morrill was a prominent druggist in Virginia  City at the time and may have gone back east to visit relatives, assuming it is the same fellow.  Est. $75-125