CALIFORNIA

ALAMEDA

133. Alameda. Oakland(?). Artistic Photographs & Postcards, c1913. Lot of 58 photos and photo postcards. Black and white,hand-colored black and white, color. Most of the photos are artistic shots of the same woman, highlighting her long, intricately curled hair. She is shown posing alone or with family or friends. Two of the photos are dated July 1913. Good condition. The paper envelope containing the photos indicates that they were taken by Frost Photographic Supply Co., Oakland, California. Most 3 1/2 x 5 1/2”. Vf. Est. $75-150

134. Alameda. Oakland. Bret Harte’s Home Stereoview, c.1870. The house was actually owned by his mother and step father and located in Oakland. Photo by Strong. Pencil lines at left of each image, possible crop marks for use in a publication. The fields of the photo are dirty. Orange board. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $100-200

ALPINE

135. Alpine. Mobile/Monitor. Mogul & Monitor Mining Districts Map. Blue print image of the Star, Georgiana and Orion Lodes. 17” x 18”. Vf, minor tears at edges, folds. Est. $50-100 (no illustration)

136. Alpine. Raymond. Saginaw Cons Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #12. Incorporated in California, 1864. Issued to A. C. Perkins for 5 shares in 1864. Signed by Stephen Otis president and W. B. Smith secretary. No vignette. Attractive masthead. Uncancelled. 5 x 9”. Printer - Buswell & Co, SF. &#x201CRaymond District, Amador County, Cal.” printed at top of certificate. One 20 cent and one 5 cent documentary stamps adhered at left edge. The certificate number box and the share amount box are clever vignettes that are three dimensional looking ingots, complete with assay chip taken from the opposing corners. We consider this a remarkable artistic rendition of the reality of ingot sampling, lost to many numismatics, who are used to seeing too many phony ingots without these critically important assay chips. The Raymond district is part of the Silver Mountain district and was formed in late 1863, perhaps in the winter. It is about halfway between Silver Mountain and Markleeville, roughly 4 miles from both locales. The Saginaw was a prospect with little long term stability. Perkins started as a carpenter in San Francisco in 1862 and by 1865 was an unspecified clerk. By 1872-5, he was not listed in San Francisco Directories. In 1879, he was listed as a mining speculator. Stephen Otis was a real estate and stock speculator working for Farnum in San Francisco. William Smith was mining and petroleum investor in SF. Although, Amador County is printed on this and the Granite State and Orinella Companies, Alpine County was broken out about the same time as issuance of these certificates. (Please see Auction #11 Part 1 for an indepth discussion on the Silver Mountain district of Alpine County. This information applies to the Granite State and Orinella companies listed above. Est. $500-1000

137. Alpine. Silver Mountain. Granite State Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #10. Incorporated in California. Issued to A. C. Perkins for 10 shares in 1864. Signed by Stephen Otis president and W. B. Smith secretary. The certificate number box and the share amount box are clever vignettes that are three dimensional looking ingots, complete with assay chip taken from the opposing corners. We consider this a remarkable artistic rendition of the reality of ingot sampling, lost to many numismatics, who are used to seeing too many phony ingots without these critically important assay chips.No vignette. Attractive masthead. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Buswell & Co, SF. 5 x 9”. &#x201CSilver Mountain Dist., Amador County, Cal.” printed at top of certificate. The Granite State was a prospect in the Silver Mountain District. It never produced any ore that we were able to ascertain. One 20 cent and one 5 cent documentary stamp adhered at left edge. Please Auction #11 Part 1 catalog for an indepth discussion on the Silver Mountain district and why we list it in Alpine County. Very fine. Est. $500-1000

138. Alpine. Silver Mountain. Orinella Cons Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #14. Incorporated in California, 1864. Issued to A. C. Perkins for 5 shares in 1864. Signed by Stephen Otis president and W. B. Smith secretary. The certificate number box and the share amount box are clever vignettes that are three dimensional looking ingots, complete with assay chip taken from the opposing corners. We consider this a remarkable artistic rendition of the reality of ingot sampling, lost to many numismatics, who are used to seeing too many phony ingots without these critically important assay chips. No vignette. Attractive masthead. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Buswell & Co, SF. 5 x 9”. &#x201CSilver Mountain Dist., Amador County, Cal.” printed at top of certificate. The Orinella was a prospect in the Silver Mountain District. It never produced any ore that we were able to ascertain. One 20 cent and one 5 cent documentary stamp adhered at left edge. Please Auction #11 Part 1 catalog for an indepth discussion on the Silver Mountain district and why we list it in Alpine County. Very fine. Est. $500-1000

AMADOR

139. Amador. Amador. Cons South Spring Hill Gold Mining Co. Cert. #105. Incorporated in 1890. Issued to A. H. Porlin for 100 shares in 1896. Signed by president G. F. Morse and secretary L. H. Goodnow. Uncancelled. The mine was established in 1851, but was not an important producer until the 1880’s. It consisted of 2 shafts, over 1000’ each, producing $1.1 million in gold through 1902. Classic Mother Lode Mine. Sold to Keystone after 1920. It was probably originally part of the Herbertville claim of the 1850’s. Black border. Attractive vignette of miners managing shaft operations, with one tackling ore bucket. 7” x 11 1/4”. Printed by Samuel Hobbs & Co. Xf, some foxing at bottom edge. Est. $200-350

BAY AREA

140. Bay Area. Bay Area Towns Pictorial Letter Sheets, c.1900. Lot of 5 different pcs. All of these are similar in style, but have very different images at the top of each sheet. (1) &#x201CGreetings From San Rafael” with 6 different views of the area. (2) &#x201CGreetings from San Jose” with images of Lick Observatory, State Normal School, Santa Clara College, Court House & Covenant of Notre Dame. (3) “Greetings from San Francisco” with images of Fort Point (prior to Golden Gate Bridge), Union Depot, on the Wharf & City Hall from McAllister. (4) “From the Tavern of Tamalpais, 2500 Feet Above the Sea” with images of the lodge, the rail line to the lodge & 2 different views of a man on top of the mountain. (5) &#x201CCliff House & Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Cal” with images of the New Cliff House, Cliff House Hillside, and others. This last sheet has a copyright, 1896, by Albert Kayser, Oakland Journal, Print. All are 5 x 8.5”. All very fine with only minor foxing. Est. $100-200

CALAVERAS

141. Calaveras. Esmeralda. Standard Amalgamated Exploration Corp. Lot of 3 different bonds. Cert #226, #568 & #702. $15, $25 & $50 First Mortgage Bonds, issued 1913. Each has one coupon remaining attached. $50 has purple border and safety print, $25 has orange border and safety print and $15 has brown border and safety print. All have foil seal. 8 x 12”. Signed by president and treasurer. Printer - John A. Lowell, Boston. See lot below for the story. All Very fine. Est. $100-300

142. Calaveras. Esmeralda. Standard Amalgamated Exploration Corp. Cert #2143. Incorporated in Nevada. Issued to Adelia A. Spence for 500 shares in 1917. Signed by Henry H. Brown treasurer and Frank E. Bramhall president. No vignette. Attractive masthead. Purple border and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - John A. Lowell, Boston. 8.5 x 11.5”. Company owned the Economic mine near Esmeralda, Calaveras County. There was a 700 foot tunnel and over 5000 feet of workings with ore assaying from $18 to $46 per ton. There was a 20 stamp mill in 1918 and plans to add an additional 20 stamps and build a cyanide plant (Mines Handbook, 1918, p.580). Minor wear to folds. Very fine. Est. $50-150

143. Calaveras. Hodson. Hodson Miners Original Matted Photograph, c.1890. View of miners and mill men in front of a building. The men look as though they have been working. The miners are wearing tea pot lamp hats and many are posing with items used on the job: an oil can, lunch pails. Even the dog posed for the photo. 7 1/2 x 9 1/2” photograph on dark gray matte (9 3/4 x 11 3/4” with backing). Photographer: Arthur B. Morgan, Hodson, California, identified from stamps on reverse. The photograph came from the Sembrano family, of Hodson. A. Sembrano worked in several different mines: New Almaden, Guadalupe and Hodson. Photograph is in very good condition but the backing is rather damaged. The gray matte has been peeled off in different areas along the edges and corners. The upper right corner is missing. Both items Vf. Rare. Est. $100-200

144. Calaveras. Mokelumne. Mokelumne Hill Canal & Mining Company. Stock certificate for one share issued to J. C. Ham and signed by Henry Eno as president and E. H. Pomeroy as secretary. Uncancelled. Printed by Britton & Rey. 3.5 x 9”. No vignette. Undated, circa 1855. This company was one of many western financed ditch companies organized for bringing water to the fossil placer gold deposits. Mokelumne Hill was in one of the richest areas of California’s Mother Lode. This company may have been the predecessor for the Mokelumne Hill and Camp Seco Ditch Co. They first built a wood flume, but replaced it with a ditch at a cost of $500,000. These ditch or canal companies charged for the water by the “miner’s inch” and were generally quite profitable, unless the ditch or flume couldn’t hold up during winter. [ref: Browne, 1868, p195] Rare. Est. $400-800

145. Calaveras. San Andreas(?). San Andreas Copper Mountain Mining Co of Camden Co, New Jersey. Cert #72. Issued to A. Bouzano for 850 shares in 188x. Signed by Adolphus Bonzano president and Charles W. Mathews treasurer. Vignette of New Jersey State Seal. Vignette at left edge of a fabulous cross sectional view of an underground mine. Vignette at right edge of several miners working underground with the glow of their candles accented. Black border and print with gilt foil seal. Uncancelled. Printer - Breuker & Kessler, Phil. 10 x 13”. We are unable to find reference to this company. San Andreas suggests a California property, but we are not able to substaniate this. There is a San Andreas district in New Mexico. Top edge is soiled with minor tears all along, but none cross border. Very fine and very attractive. Est. $200-400

COLUSA

146. Colusa. Willows. Willows Fruit Company Prospectus. 10 pages. Prospectus contains information about the directors, office location, crops raised in the area and profits, soil types and results. The prospectus describes the plan of the company stating what will be planted and the 390 acres will de divided into 10 acres each, discusses the obligations of the company and shareholder. There is a map of the land of the Willows Fruit Co and where it is located in the State of Calif. Another map is more detailed showing the Rail Road Line, The town of Willows, the closest rivers, and the cross section of the Willows Fruit Co. the last two pages are blank. Put together at the top with blue thread. Black print on white paper. Size 8 ¼” x 10 ¾”.Extremely fine. Est. $75-150

EL DORADO

147. El Dorado. Garden Valley. Envelope 1858. Manuscript cancel from Garden Valley. Dated Jan. 18, 1858. To Mr. James Moody, Delaware County, Indiana. 10 cent stamp, U16 stamped cover. 3 1/4 x 5 1/2”. Minor water damage to bottom right corner, bottom left corner ripped, see photo. Penciled marks on back. Generally fine. Stamp on back: X-Collection Marcus W. White, Worcester, Mass. Est. $200-300 (no illustration)

148. El Dorado. Placerville. El Dorado Big Tunnel & Mining Co. Stock certificate, incorporated in California 1887, issued 1887 to L. McNeill for 500 shares signed by H. S. Morey as president and Geo. W. Kimball as secretary datelined Placerville. Uncancelled. 6 x 9” Navy blue on white. There is no listing of this specific company in the California Bureau of Mines papers. I suspect it was an exploration effort to exploit one of the Tertiary channels near Placerville, but cannot be certain. The El Dorado mine, which was most active at exactly this time, was a quartz mine, not a drift or channel mine as indicated by theis certificate. Henry S. Morey ran a foundry in Placerville. McNeill was not a Placerville resident. Kimball was a surveyor in Placerville. [ref: California State Gazetteer by Polk, 1888]. Est. $150-250

149. El Dorado. Placerville. Placerville Bird’s Eye View Lithograph, 1888 A fabulous b/w lithograph of Placerville that was published by the Weekly Observer, 1888. Around the center view aree smaller box views of notable buildings in the town. At the bottom are several columns of text about El Dorado County. W. W. Elliot, SF, was the lithographer. Image size is 23 x 32”, gold colored, attractive frame is 24 x 34”. The litho has fold creases with a tear that crosses the entire piece from left to right edge, probably along a fold crease. The tear does not detract from the view. These pieces are not rare, but this one is exceptionally well framed. Very fine. Est. $500-1000

150. El Dorado(?). Rocky Bar. Rocky Bar Mining Company; an Episode of Early Western Promotion and Finance. By Carl I. Wheat, 1934. Includes a facsimile of the 1850 original prospectus. 12 pages asserting the Rocky-Bar’s authenticity of being California’s first quartz mining project. Much of the piece consists of reproductions of original comments and/or reports from the mining company. 1 of 100 copies. 10 1/2” x 7”. Vf, foxing, edges on cover a bit damaged. Est. $100-200 (no illsutration)

151. El Dorado. Tahoe. Rubicon Springs Original Original Matted Photograph, c.1885. The view shows about 50 people standing near, and under, a spring house building. There are many shipping boxes visible in the view. Crisp and clear. Rubicon Springs was a bottling area near Lake Tahoe. The water was sold probably in the larger cities in California. Est. $400-600

FRESNO

152. Fresno. Coalinga. Coalinga Crude Oil Co. Cert #36. Incorporated in Arizona. Issued to Thomas F. Stearns for 100 shares in 1910. Signed by S. C. Burr president and Burr asst secretary. Vignette at upper left of spread winged eagle atop dome. Black border with bronze seal and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - Goes. 6 x 10”. Datelined New York, NY. Coalinga is a classic California oil region, and one of the earliest to be exploited. Very fine. Est. $50-100

153. Fresno. Fresno. Land Grant Papers, 1860-1870. Lot of 4 pcs. These are homestead parcels, tracts of land entered generally for farming purposes and were not subject to public sale by auction. All are Fresno County. The documents are for James Sayles, Jr., Walter J. Pickett, Harry St. James Dixon, and Gomer Evans, each containing their signature. Est. $120-250

GENERAL

154. General. California Miners’ Association Annual Reports, 1905 & 1912. Lot of 2 different pcs. The first is a 1905 annual, featuring an image of the Marshall Monument on the cover. Covers the proceedings of the 14th annual convention, which took place in Nevada City; 150+ pages. The second two are from the proceedings of the 16th annual convention, held at the Native Son’s Hall, San Francisco, in 1912. Soft cover with black text and design, 277+ pages. All are in very fine condition, with wear to edges and spine. 9 1/4” x 5 1/4”. Est. $200-400 (no illustration)

155. General. California Miners’ Association Annual Report, 1900. Record of the proceedings of the 9th Annual Convention, held at the Golden Gate Hall, S.F., 1900. 253 + hardbound pages. Brown cover, with gilt print. Fine, damaged at spine, foxing. Est. $100-200 (no illustration)

156. General. California Mining Related Publications. Lot of 8 different pcs. The Gold Mines of California Two Guidebooks, reprinted in 1974, contains reprint of Fayette Robinson’s 1849 publication California and Its Gold Regions, 137 pages with appendix; also contains a reprint of Franklin Street’s 1851 publication California in 1850 Compared With What It Was in 1849 With A Glimpse At Its Future Destiny, 88 pages. The Story of Big Creek by David H. Redinger, reprinted 1952, hardbound, 182 pages, lots of fantastic photos and a couple of maps. Old Mines of California and Nevada by R. W. Raymond, 133 pages, softbound, includes at least one map and many charts. USGS Professional Paper #827: Geology of the Sierra Foothills Melange and Adjacent Areas, Amador County, California by Wendell A. Duffield and Robert V. Sharp, 1975, softbound, large fold out map in pocket at rear, 30 pages with several interior maps. USGS Professional Paper #772: Gold-Bearing Gravel of the Ancestral Yuba River, Sierra Nevada, California by Warren E. Yeend, 1974, softbound, large fold out map in rear pocket, 44 pages with index, also contains lots of photos, charts and maps. USGS Bulletin #134 Geological Investigations in Chromite in California by Francis G. Wells and Fred W. Cater, Jr., 1950, softbound with large fold out map in rear pocket, 127 pages. California Division of Mines Special Report 52 Index to Geologic Maps of California by R.G. Strand, J.B. Koenig and C.W. Jennings, 1956, softbound, 128 pages, has approximately 64 maps. Lot also includes a non-California publication: USGS Professional Paper #229, Mica and Beryl Pegmatites in Idaho and Montana by W.C. Stoll, 1950, softbound, large fold out map in rear pocket, 64 pages with index, has lots of maps, charts and drawings and a couple of photos. All items in this lot are fine to VF. Est. $50-150

157. General. California Photograph Album, 1916-8. 31pp of photographs, some with two per side, or about 75 photographs. 7.5” x 5.5”, Black cover with the typical black paper pages. Most of the photos are 3.5” square or 2.75 x 4.5”. Content: Yosemite 11pp (22 photos); Catalina 2pp, Los Angeles 7pp, Redlands riverside3pp, big bear4pp tahoe4pp. The quality of the photographs is high with good contrast. The content is also good, particularly the front section of 1916 which has a little girl as the focus of the photos set in pastoral settings in Yosemite. Very artistic, particularly the shot of her at Mirror Lake, which is poster worthy. Several other shots are also poster worthy, including some taken at Avalon on Catalina Island, where a white horse is pulling a small buggy with the little girl inside with a pretty bow in her hair. Excellent Condition. Est. $300-400

158. General. California Publications. Lot of 3. Pasadena: Its Early Years by Henry Markham Page, 1964, softbound with protective plastic cover, 226 pages with index, contains photos and maps. Mines of the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson, 1973, softbound, includes photos, maps and a couple of drawings, 72 pages with index. Where to Find Gold in Southern California by James Klein, 1975, softbound, 95 pages, includes lots of photos, artwork and maps. Est. $50-100

159. General. Chuck Wagon Original Photograph,. C.1890. View of 18 men standing and sitting in front of and inside a large Chuck Wagon. 1890’s. Photograph is a bit faded around the edges but is very clear. Utensils, lanterns and other gear very visible. One of the boxes shows a San Francisco merchant. It appears that part of the wagon serves as a mess hall while the other part may have been used for food preparation and storage. Some of the men are holding or wearing large brimmed hats which resemble those worn by fire fighters, but worn with the long bill in front. Written in pencil on the reverse is Bob Nixon, who is probably one of the fellows in the photo. 5 1/2 x 9”. Matte is a little worn with rough corners and small stains. Est. $75-150

160. General. Cons Midway Chief Oil Co. Cert #2990. Incorporated in Arizona, 1910. Issued to John J Eddy for 40 shares in 1913. Signed by Wadsworth president and secretary. Vignette of oil field with derricks. Red underprint of Native American Chief. Black border, gilt seal and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - Goes. 8.5 x 11”. Datelined Los Angeles, California. Xf. Est. $25-75 (no illustration)

161. General. Photo Album of Fred Boyd. Pictures date from July 1919 to 1922. Pictures include: Olema, Ca. Boy Scout camp, San Francisco, Fort Bragg, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Truckee skiing, Lakeport, and Honcut Ca. Picture size: 3” x 5”. Most pictures are black and white, some sepia, and some faded. 200 pictures. Pictures pasted on black construction paper. Black cover has some wear on corners. Pictures are in very good condition. Size: 7’ x 11”. Very fine. Est. $300-500

162. General. Sedalia & California Oil Co. Cert. #4874. Incorporated in Missouri. Issued to “the Bearer” for 5 shares in 1901. President’s signature stamped Wm. S. Shurk, and signed by secretary Donahue. Uncancelled. 27 coupons attached at bottom. Vignette of oil field at top center, and gilt vignette of oil field at bottom center. Black border, gilt seal. Printed by Bankers & Merchants Litho. 8” x 11”. Sedalia is a city in located in west central Missouri, probably the location of the company’s main office. Xf, bottom edge slightly wrinkled. Est. $75-150

163. General. Society of California Pioneer Badges of R. E. McFarland. Lot of 4 badges (ribbons). Society of California Pioneers was a fraternal organization for those who went to California around the Gold Rush time of 1850. Many of these Pioneers were still alive when NSGW began and were honored with badges stating “Pioneer” on them. This collections are those special “Pionneer” designation badges that belonged to a true California Pioneer, R. E. McFarland. A) Tin badge attached to round black ribbon with pinback. Made by Norcross & Co, SF. Ribbon is 3”. Badge is detached from ribbon. Badge has wreath around edge with a star at top. A bear is in full relief at middle standing on banner with “Pioneer” in it. B) This is a pinback badge that is now missing the metal part. Black ribbon, 3”, made by Norcross & Co, SF. C) Badge with ribbon and pinback. Metal part is 1.5 x 2”. Wreath around outside with banner at bottom with “Pioneer” with blue accent. Bear standing on banner. White ribbon is 3”, made by Norcross & Co. D) This badge has a metal bear attached to a red, white and blue ribbon. The bear is 1 x 2”. Ribbon is 2.75”. Made by Norcross & Co. Please see the McFarland Story in the Railroadiana section for the story of the original owner. All fine to very fine. Extremely rare. Est. $300-600

GOLD RUSH

164. Gold Rush. California – Its Position and Prospects. An article in the United States Magazine and Democratic Review, volume 24, no. 131. May, 1849. pp412—427, though the magazine is present in its entirety, pp387-480 plus table of contents. “Scarcely a year has elapsed since the whole region, vaguely known as California and New Mexico, was denounced in the American Senate by a leading statesman, as “not worth a dollar.” &#x2026”The talisman that has wrought this wonderful change has been a few grains of gold…” The article discusses California in great detail, well researched and written by men who spent considerable time there before the gold rush. A few of the center pages are detached, but undamaged. The cover is very fine. Great early color on the California Gold Rush, the attitudes of America, and Europe to some extent, about California before the rush and its possibilities. Est. $200-400

165. Gold Rush. Gold Rush Letter, 1859. Dated lined: New York, September 17, 1859. This letter is written by the wife of Mr. Wilson, who left for California from Macon Georgia, in 1850, and has no longer been heard from. The person she is writing to is not named, but Mrs. Wilson feels that her husband is in the neighborhood where he lives. Mr. Wilson, at first wrote Mrs. Wilson all the time, the last letter being dated 1851. It has been about 10 years since Mr. Wilson has written. Mrs. Wilson has asked the receiver of the letter to read the letter to her husband, who she describes, to let him know about how much she and the children need his help. Classic story of the Gold Rush days. Hand written in black ink on white light blue lined paper. Three pages. Signed by Maria Wilson and Judge Carter. Folds. Size: 8” x 9 ¾”. Some wear on the right side and some small tears. This piece is a treasure for a Gold Rush collector. Very rare. Ex. Fine. Est. $200-400

166. Gold Rush. Shasta. Land Grants For Shasta, 1853 & 1860. Lot of 2 pcs. Marsden Wadsworth and John Webb homesteaded small tracts of land during the height of the activity in the Shasta region. At the time, Shasta was an important mercantile and banking center. Located dead center in the far northern region of the gold mines, it offered all the necessities to miners who were otherwise quite isolated. Shasta city was at one time proposed as the state capital. It was also proposed as a railroad center for the transcontinental railroad. Neither idea took hold, the gold began to run out, and Shasta declined after 1870 or so. The county did see a tremendous resurgence in mining in later years with the discovery of gold and copper in massive sulfides, iron, and other commodities. Est. $100-200 (no illustration)

167. Gold Rush. Scraps No. 1, 1849. Sketched, Etched, and Published by D. C. Johnson, Boston. 4pp of engravings on matte paper 14 x 11”. Humorous sketches by one of Boston’s leading illustrators. “here it is, the book of books. Now if you don’t like it, blow it up. I always blow up what I don’t like.” Each page has about 9 of Johnson’s humorous sketches. A few of these are in relation to the California Gold Rush. &#x201CA Shower of Gold. A phenomenon now in course of preparation, & shortly to come off at the California mines. The exhibition to conclude with a shower of lead.” (from Plate 1). Other topics include Women’s Rights, Chinese. The humor attacks every topic of the time. Light paper covering each engraving. Very clever Americana. Est. $200-400

HUMBOLDT

168. Humboldt. Glendale. Glendale Original Matted Photograph, c.1895-1900. Captioned: World’s Fair Plank: Glendale, Cal.” View of steam train loaded with long boards and the Glendale plank standing up vertically, ready to be shipped off to the World’s Fair. Several men and railroad employees are standing on the loaded cars and two little girls are standing on the ground in front of the last car. Large white tents in the background. Planks on the ground to the left of the train. Photo by A. W. Ericson, Arcata. Photo mounted on white heavy cardboard backing. 5 1/4 x 8 1/2” with backing. Mounted photo sold by J. E. Mathews. Glendale is a small settlement located about 4 miles east-northeast of Arcata. Vf, small black mark near bottom edge. Rough edges on cardboard backing. Est. $75-100

169. Humboldt. Logging Scene Original Photographs. Lot of 3 different pcs. These are all original photographs by A. W. Ericson. The first photo is a scene of 16 oxen pulling logs down a wooden road. Picture is very clear and crisp. Small tear on left side. The second picture shows lumbermen sawing a huge tree into sections and is very clear . Again in sepia tones. Both picture size 7” x 9” and glossy. The third picture is a b/w with a matte finish of a man standing in front of a huge cut tree. Size 6” x 8”. In all the pictures, the wood being harvested is Redwood. All pictures are glued too 10” x 11 ¾” black construction paper. Very fine. Est. $100-300

INYO

170. Inyo. Argus. Lodore Mining Co. Cert #16. Incorporated in 1899. Issued to Frank Moore for 1000 shares in 1899. Signed by Rix president and Preston secretary. Vignette of spread winged bald eagle atop rock with floral design around. Green border. Uncancelled. Printer - Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch, SF. 8 x 10”. Three 10 cent documentary stamps adhered at left and two 5 cent and one 10 cent documentary stamps adhered at right edge. Extremely fine. Est. $75-150

Inyo. Ballarat. Headquarter’s Saloon Token, please see Whiskey & Saloon Section.

171. Inyo. Big Pine. Native American Real Photo Postcard, c.1920. This card shows an elder Native American woman kneading dough on a rock surface captioned “Mars The Bread Maker”. The shot was probably taken by Harry W. Mendenhall around 1920. Minor crease at upper left corner. Unused. Very fine. Est. $75-150

172. Inyo. Big Pine. Native American Real Photopostcard, c.1920. The photo postcard shows a Native American elder woman weaving a basket and captioned “Mahalla Making Baskets, H. W. M., 47.” The type of basket being made appears to be a Yokuts. The shot was taken near Big Pine by Harry W. Mendenhall of Big Pine. Very fine with very minor dings at corners. Rare. Est. $100-200

173. Inyo. Big Pine. Native American Woman Real Photo Postcard, c.1930. The card shows three Native American women seated on a bench, each with a papoose and baby with a large crowd of onlookers. Captioned “Baby Show, H. W. M., M14.” White bordered. Photographer was Harry W. Mendenhall of Big Pine. Unused. Very fine. Est. $75-150

174. Inyo. Big Pine. Paiute Indian House Real Photo Postcard, c.1905-10. This Very Rare Real Photo Postcard by A. A. Forbes entitled “Paiute Indian House” and was taken between 1904 and 1910 of a Paiute House located between Bishop and Big Pine in Inyo County, Cal. A.A. Forbes was one of Inyo’s earliest commercial photographers who operated his studio out of Bishop, Cal. He was in operation from 1904 to the late teens. Forbes was the first in the area to produce Photo Postcards. He was also famous for his Panoramic Photos of scenes in Inyo and Mono Counties. This unused PC has some corner wear but overall nice condition. Early Forbes PC’s are highly sought after by collectors, especially Native American subject. Est. $100-200

175. Inyo. Bishop. Bishop Billiard / Parlor / Jones & Peake / Props. / Bishop, / Cal. // GF / 5 / IT. Sc (4), al, 29mm. Vf. This is the first time we have offered this token. Unlisted. Rare. Est. $150-300

176. Inyo. Bishop. Bishop Commemorative Plates, 1960. Lot of 2 different pcs. These are glazed ceramic plates from Bishop. The first plate has 6.25” diameter with floral pattern at top and bottom and two blue ring accents. At center in gilt is “Compliments of Chalfant’s”. Marked on reverse with Derwood, W. S. George. Very fine. The second plate is a Bishop Centennial commemorative plate showing images of Bishop’s history from 1861-1961. The images include the California State Seal at top with many of the features known for Bishop: Will Chalfant, Samuel A. Bishop, Death Valley, Paiute Indian, etc. Gold trim with short history of Bishop on back. By Klay Kraft, Milford, Nebraska. 11 inch diameter. Both very fine. Est. $100-300

177. Inyo. Bishop. California Nevada Mining Co. Cert #1763. Incorporated in Nevada 1902. Issued to Francis L. Connell for 10 shares in 1903. Signed by Chas. Kelvey president and M. Hinton asst secretary. Vignette at upper right of spread winged eagle. Fancy masthead. Brown border and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - A. C. Goodwin, NY. Datelined Los Angeles, Cal. 10 x 12”. Very fine. Est. $75-150

178. Inyo. Bishop. Cons Wilshire Mining Co. Cert. #492. Incorporated in Arizona in 1915 as the successor to Wilshire Bishop Creek Co. Issued to H. Caster for 204 shares in 1920. Stamped signature for president Wilshire and signed by secretary Kearns. Uncancelled. Held under the Consol. Wilshire MC, Bishop Creek Milling Co. was originally formed in 1908 as the Bishop Creek Gold Co., shortly thereafter becoming the holding company for the Bishop Creek Milling Co., which operated the properties. Sold at auction in 1909, due to outstanding debt, the Bishop Creek Gold Co. was followed by the Wilshire Bishop Creek Co., which was in turn succeeded in 1915 by the Consol. Wilshire MC. The property consisted of 19 claims, 12 patented, known as the Wilshire Gold Mine. Ore occurred as a bedded vein in a quartzite reef, developed by shaft, yielding $11 per ton in gold (Ref: Mines Hdbk, 1924, pp.524, 541 and 641). Vignette of spread-winged bald eagle atop stars and stripes shield. Black border with green seal and underprint. Printer not noted. 8 1/4” x 10 1/4”. Vf, folds, some discoloration at edges. Est. $75-150 (no illustration)

179. Inyo. Bishop. Cowboy Real Photopostcard, c.1915. The view is of a cowboy seated on a horse with many onlookers and automobiles in background. This person looks a lot like Will James, Author. If it is, it is a rare view of him from straight on, rather than a profile shot. Photo may have been by Forbes, but not marked so. Captioned “DeTrick, Bishop, Cal.” White border, crease at upper right corner. Very fine. Est. $100-200

180. Inyo. Bishop. Ethnology of the Owens Valley Paiute, 1933. By Julian H. Steward, published by University of California Press, Berkeley. 351 pages with 10 pages of b/w photos on glossy paper at the end. Original soft covers with minor wear to cover edges. Inscribed on first page with “To W. A. Chalfant with the deepest appreciation of his kindness and helpfulness in the preparation of this volume. (signed) Julian H. Steward.” 7 x 10”. On Plate 5, picture g, in the photograph section, is the same as the photopostcard of a Native American kneading bread (see lot #171). Fine to very fine. Est. $100-300 (no illustration)

181. Inyo. Bishop. Harvest Festival Parade Real Photopostcard, 1912. The view is of a float pulled by two white horses, with one man dressed as Uncle Sam and another man next to him. The float is full of children that are from the West Bishop School. Captioned “West Bishop School, Harvest Festival Oct, ‘12.” Photographer - Forbes. Unused, edges slightly curled. Image is a little blurry. Very fine. Est. $100-200

182. Inyo. Bishop. Letter to W. A. Chalfant from Lewis A. Spitzer, County Assessor of Santa Clara County, Oct 3rd, 1903. This letter has great historical significance in that Spitzer was an early Inyo and Mono County Prospector who made his first trip through the Owens Valley in 1860 with Samuel Bishop and others exploring and prospecting. In 1903, Chalfant had been trying to contact early pioneers and explorers to Inyo to provide material for writing “The Story of Inyo”, which he later published in 1922. In the Story of Inyo, Chapter IX, last page, last paragraph he writes “Lewis Spitzer, in after years Assessor of Santa Clara County, California; Sam Kelsey, Charles and Jerome Smith and Charles Lumro stopped and prospected in Owens Valley early in 1860, but without finding anything to keep them from going on the Monoville, their original destination.” In this letter Spitzer describes this very trip, and Chalfant was quoting him directly!! A great piece of early Inyo and Mono County history and a must for the Inyo County Collector/Historian! Very Rare! Est. $100-200 TC

183. Inyo. Bishop. O. L. Meece/ (design) / Bishop, Cal. // GF / 10 / IT. Sc(8), al, 28mm. Trade Token. Extremely rare. Vf. Est. $300-600 5438 19

184. Inyo. Death Valley Junction. Death Valley Junction promotional Pamphlet, c.1920. A very nice promotional pamphlet touting the inns and hotels in the area. The Furnace Creek Inn, and the Amargosa Hotel are the featured resorts with 6 different printed photographs of the resorts and landscapes. When folded, the item is 3.5 x 6”, then it unfolds to 6 x 13” and once again to 12 x 13”. When completely unfolded, there is a map of the Death Valley area with different geographic features annotated. There are directions of how to get to Death Valley Junction, mostly by train. Fabulous piece. Extremely fine. Est. $75-150 5859 55

185. Inyo. Death Valley. Death Valley Original Photographs, c.1930. Lot of 2 different pcs. Taken by J. LaVerne Lane. These pictures are identical, put processed differently to get different effects. They are taken from a hill looking down to a sink area. Both are very clear and black and white. One picture is 11” x 14”, the other is 9 ¼” x 13 ½”. Pictures show some wear, otherwise very clear. Very fine. Rare. Est. $100-200 LT

186. Inyo. Death Valley. Scotty’s Castle Photo Postcards, c.1930. Lot of 6 cards. White-bordered. Photographed and published by Frashers, Inc. Pomona, California. 1) #F-9521. View of Scotty’s Bedroom. Caption to right of photo reads, “Scotty’s bed has the Mountain Lion, the Desert Sun, and the Mountain Goat carved in its headboard. On the walls are many pictures of the Cody Wild West Show in which he was a feature actor for 12 years before he and his partner, A.M. Johnson built the fabulous castle for themselves, now a tourist attraction.” 2) Captioned: The Music Room at Scotty’s Castle Death Valley, California. 3) F-9531. Photo of the Dining Hall at Scotty’s Castle. Caption to right of photo reads, “On the shelves at the back wall is a portion of the 350 piece dinner set imported from Italy. Each bears “J” and “S” for Johnson and Scotty, the two partners. The scroll “Suis Virbus Unum” translates “By our perseverance we will succeed,” the D.V.R. stands for Death Valley Ranch.” 4) Captioned: Death Valley Scotty’s Room in his castle, Death Valley National Monument, Calif. 5) A-6705. Captioned: The Johnsons and Death Valley Scotty in the living room of Scotty’s Castle: The two great men who played such an important part in the development and history of Death Valley, and who built the Castle in Grapevine Canyon at the upper end of the Valley for a home. The location was chosen with Scotty’s superior knowledge of the desert, long before the valley became a tourist playground and National Monument.” 6) Captioned: The Johnsons and Death Valley Scotty in Scotty’s Castle. Est. $50-100 Owner?

187. Inyo. Greenwater. Nevada Smelting & Mines Corp. Cert. #A647. Incorporated in South Dakota in 1906. Issued to Byrd Rynex for 25 shares in 1908. Signed by president Malcolm L. Macdonald and asst. secretary Miller. Uncancelled. Included copper claims at Greenwater and gold claims at Kawich, Reveille and other places in Nevada. As of 1908 the company was reportedly idle (Ref: Copper Hdbk., 1908, p.1025). Vignette of two allegorical figures flanking seal of Nevada. Brown border, printed by ABNC. Vf, folds, dark spot at top right, minor foxing at bottom edge. Est. $100-200 (no illustration)

188. Inyo. Independence. Hotel Norman / (star) / Independence, / Cal. / L. A. Rub Stamp Co. // GF / 12 1/4 / IT. Pt, br, 26mm. Vf-Xf. Extremely rare, probably less than 7 pieces known. Est. $300-600 5264 19

189. Inyo. Independence. Inyo County, Its Resources And Attractions For Settlers, 1886. 32-page 5” x 7 ½” promotional booklet “Inyo County, Its Resources And Attractions For Settlers”. This neat little booklet was published and printed by the Inyo Independence Newspaper Press in Independence, Inyo County, Cal in 1886. It touts Inyo County and the Owens Valley as having “Government Land, Plenty of Water, a Delightful and Healthy Country.” Describes how to reach Owens Valley, present settlements, Water, Soil and Produce, Timber, Fuel, weather, stock raising, horse raising, mining resources, and attractions.

Covers Bishop Creek, Round Valley, Long Valley, Death valley, Olancha, Menache Meadows, Independence, George’s Creek, Lone Pine, Owens Lake, Owens River, Mount Whitney, and more! Very rare piece with minor fold, foxing, and use wear but overall in very good condition with sharp color and print. Est. $300-600

190. Inyo. Independence. Official 1878 Patent issued by the United States Patent Office, signed by commissioner of Patents and by the Secretary of the Interior to Pleasant A. Chalfant for “Improvements in Newspaper Wrapping and Pasting Machines”. Papers contain the classic Patent cover page with U.S. Patent Office Seal & ribbon, description and detailed diagrams of the equipment. In original U.S. Patent Office envelope addressed to “P.A. Chalfant, Esq. Independence, Cal.” Pleasant A. Chalfant is a famous name in Inyo County history, being one of the earliest pioneers to the region in the 1860’s and then later responsible for starting Inyo’s first Newspaper “The Inyo Independent” in Independence in 1870. Chalfant and his son W.A. Chalfant ran the business and it became the Inyo Register in 1885. Around the turn of the century, Chalfant passed and his son Willie took over the business and ran it until his death in the 1940’s. W.A. Chalfant was the author of &#x201CThe Story of Inyo (1922), Outposts of Civilization (1928), Gold, Guns, and Ghost Towns (1947), Death Valley (1930), and Tales of the Pioneers (1942). Chalfant and his son spent almost their entire adult lives in the newspaper editing and publishing business. This piece is unique! Est. $100-200

191. Inyo. Lee. Crest Gold Mining & Milling Co. Cert. #BB7215. Incorporated in Maine in 1909. Issued to E.S. Carpenter for 1000 shares in 1910. Signed by president Jacob Ehrlich and treasurer. Uncancelled. Vignette of mine and mill operations at river’s edge. Green border, printed by Security BNC. 9” x 12”. The Crest appears to be a related company to the Lee Gold Crest Gold Mining Co. E. S. Carpenter bought stock in both and was the corporate secretary for the Lee Gold Crest. This company, however, is not listed in any of our references, and is probably only related in name in the same manner as an “extension” claim. Xf. Est. $100-200

192. Inyo. Lee. Crest Gold Mining & Milling Co. Cert. #B2678. Incorporated in Maine in 1909. Issued to E.S. Carpenter for 100 shares in 1910. Signed by v. president Jacob Ehrlich and treasurer. Uncancelled. Vignette of mine and mill operations at river’s edge. Brown border, printed by Security BNC. 9” x 12”. See lot above for the story. Xf. Est. $100-200

193. Inyo. Lee. Hayseed Mining Company Check (No. 67) written in Rhyolite on June 4, 1907 to J. A. Rodgers from the Hayseed Mining Company in the amount of $139.50. Voucher No. 67. Black print with “Hayseed Mining Company” across center in large orange print. To John S. Cook & Co. Bankers, Rhyolite, Nevada. Signed by Hayseed and Mining Company Secretary, J.H. Largent (?) and countersigned on the left side by Treasurer O.O. Kincaid, M.D. Cancelled as paid on June 8, 1907 with red ink stamp. Punched with “Paid +6 +807” and smaller punch “$140”. Endorsed on back by J. A. Rodgers and S.J Hernstadt. 3 1/2 x 8 1/4”. Vf. Folds, stains and rather tear (hole) in center, two staple holes in upper left corner. Located 30 miles south of Bullfrog at the eastern foot of the Funeral mountains. The Lee mining district was discovered by two brothers, Gus and Richard Lee, in November 1904. The Lees staked two claims, the Hayseed and the State Line. In May, they optioned the Hayseed to Goldfield speculator W. F. Patrick for $75,000 with 10% down. Patrick died suddenly two months later and the boys found they got to keep both the Hayseed and the $7,500 down payment. This certainly beat selling the mine, so they eagerly optioned it again, and again, and yet again, collecting another $7,500 to $10,000 on each round. The only problem was, they didn’t bother to wait for one option to expire before letting the next one. Litigation over the Hayseed was finally settled in February, 1907, and the Hayseed Mining Company was formed by Rhyolite promoters. Assays reportedly up to $123,000 per ton fueled excitement about the property. (Lingenfelter, R. E., 1986, Death Valley & the Amargosa, Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley, pp 278-279). Est. $100-200

194. Inyo. Lee. Lee Gold Crest Mining Co. Cert. #1256. Incorporated in Arizona in 1907. Issued to E.S. Carpenter for 100 shares in 1910. Signed by president (illegible) and secretary E.S. Carpenter. Uncancelled. Vignette of bald eagle atop rocky peak. Brown border, printed by W.C. Corey. 8” x 11”. Lee was a prospector’s camp located south of Bullfrog in Inyo County, discovered about 1908. There was a short boom then, and again in 1910 when F. S. Harding built a small three stamp mill there, which produced one gold bar in September, 1910 before he called it quits. No properties here had significant production, though many did ship ore to custom mills in Bullfrog or Goldfield. Lee is so isolated in the southern California desert region, that most prospectors stayed away, particularly after the Greenwater crash. This company was listed in the 1909 Rhyolite Herald and in the Polk directory of 1908. Curiously, Lee is not written up much by the CDMG. Xf. Est. $100-300

Inyo. Mammoth. Mammoth Lake Art, please see the Art section.

195. Inyo. Maps. Inyo National Forest Recreation Maps, 1917 & 1926. 1917 Recreation Map of the North Half of the Inyo National Forest. Map folds out to a large 42” x 32” and covers the area from Mono Lake to just below Bishop. The folded size is about 8” x 4”. Map is in fair condition with numerous rips along folds or fold corners, and slight age tanning. One side is the detailed map with a table of distances from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe to various places in the map region; the other side contains general information on Inyo County such as climate, fishing and hunting, horse feed, routes, railroads and stage lines, outfits, packers and guides, physiography and resources, summer homes and permanent camp sites, and more! Pre 1920 Inyo Forest Service maps are seldom seen and quite rare. Scarce 1926 Map of the Inyo National Forest published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service California District. Map folds out to a large 40” x 24” and covers the area from Mono Lake to just below Little Lake in Inyo County. The folded size is about 8” x 4”. Map is good condition with just a few rips along folds or fold corners, with little age browning. One side is the detailed map with a legend; the other side contains general information on Inyo County similar to the lot #32 above. Also contains lots of photos of Inyo County points of Interest courtesy of Frasher’s Fotos of Pomona. Est. $200-300

196. Inyo. Owens Valley. H. M. Yerington Letter. This letter is from the Mountain Home Canal & Land Company, Mountain Home, Idaho. Lot of two pieces. The first piece is the enveloped addressed to Mr. H. M. Yerington, Carson, Nevada. Postmark Nov 5 18904. Two cent stamp. Postmark of Carson City Nev. is on the back. Envelope is light blue in color and in very good condition. The letter is two pages long written in black ink with black print at the top. The letter is dated Nov 1894. The letter is requesting information about the Owens River Valley Canal and Sands. There is also a request for information about available property and prices. The letter is signed by J. M. Jones. Folds. Size 8 ½” x 11”. Extremely fine. Est.$50-100

197. Inyo. Tecopa. Tecopa Cons Mining Co Check. Voucher No. 753. Dated August 29, 1907 in favor of H.W. Boyd in the amount of $54.80. Distribution: Blacksmith Shop $9.80 and Mining a/c Labor $45.00 for a total of $54.80. Fold down the middle, small tears along fold, water damage and tearing on two of the corners. Tecopa is a small community on the southern fringe of Death Valley. Active as early as the 1870’s the Tecopa (also spelled Tecopah) company controlled the Tecopa, Noonday and Gunsight mines. Though the mine did well early on, with good profit, they were only able to sell ore when the smelters in Salt Lake were operational. By 1908 they claimed to have $3 million in ore blocked out. In 1909 a rail line was built to the mine (Tecopa Railroad). The next active period for the mine was 1913-1929. For a brief four years, Tecopa led California in silver-lead production. Over its lifetime, this mine was Death Valley’s largest producer, having recovered more than $4 million from its ores. (Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 674; Lingenfelter, 1986, Death Valley & the Amargosa, p 356-359.). Est. $25-50

198. Inyo. Tecopa. Tecopa Cons Mining Co. Incorporated in South Dakota on January 1907. Cert. #801 issued to Charles B. Sloan on October 15, 1908 for 65 shares. Signed by President whose signature is illegible and Secretary H.W. Hayden. Printer: The Union Litho Co., Los Angeles. Vignette above title, top center, of “Chief Tecopa”. Black print and orange border. Fully paid and non-assessable. Uncancelled. Embossed seal on bottom left. Certificate indicates that the company was incorporated January 7, 1897 but the seal is dated 1907. Perhaps they reorganized? Sealed at Philadelphia, Penn. (Rhyolite, Nevada scratched out with blue lines and Philadelphia stamped in). Folds and “Rhyolite” penciled in at top right. Good condition. Vf. 9 x 11 1/4”. This was the largest silver-lead producer in California from 1917-1920. (Ref. Rand and Sturgis, 1931, p. 674). Est. $100-200

199. Inyo. Tecopa. Tecopa Trading Post Photo Postcard, c.1930. Rare Real Photo Postcard by showing the Tecopa Trading Post in Death Valley. Tecopa is located in the Southern end of Inyo County below Shoshone. PC is unused and has an EKC stamp box, which dates it to the 1930’s, consistent with the content of the photo. It has minor edge wear but overall nice condition. Photographer unknown. Est. $50-150

200. Inyo/Mono. Inyo-Mono Related Mining Publications. Lot of 5 different pcs. Lot includes Mines of the Eastern Sierra by DeDecker, 1966, 72 pages with index, includes maps and photos; Mineral King Guide by Adler, 1963, 36 pages with index includes maps and photos; USGS Bulletin 1089-B Geology of the Rogers Lake and Kramer Quadrangles California, 1960, 139 pages with index, includes maps and charts; California Journal of Mines and Geology Quarterly Chapter of State Mineralogist’s Report XXVI, 1940, 230 pages, includes photos, maps with one fold out and charts; California Journal of Mines and Geology, Volume 47, Number 1, January 1951, 223 pages, includes charts and photos and two fold out maps in a pocket at the rear of the book. Publications all cover the various mining districts of the Inyo-Mono area including geology, maps, history, ecology, trails and trips and romanticized tales of lost and mystery mines. Condition ranges from fine to VF. Est. $75-100

KERN

201. Kern. Randsburg. Rand Mountain Mining Co. Cert #10. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Francis Fitch in 1897 for 333 shares. Signed by T. W. O. Cannon, secretary, and M. Kennedy, president. Printer: John Partridge, S. F. Vignette in the top middle of and eagle standing on a globe. Uncancelled. Fancy green border with black print on white paper. Datelined Carson City, Nevada. Stock book record is pasted on the left. There is no seal. The certificate was signed over to Frances Mooers, who was one of the original partners of the Yellow Aster, by Francis Fitch, which is noted on the back. Randsburg was discovered in 1895 by Singleton, Burcham and others. They formed the Yellow Aster MC which held the Olympus group of mines. Famous western lawyer, Pat Reddy, tried to buy part of the Yellow Aster and was refused. This company was probably a result of his efforts to obtain neighboring properties to use as bargaining chips. The Yellow Aster was a very profitable, small and close company and Reddy wanted in. Reddy was the famed one armed gunfighter turned lawyer of the eastern Sierra, who got his start in Virginia City along with famous Nevada lawyer, William M. Stewart. Reddy lost his arm in a gunfight in Virginia City in the early 1860’s. He had his own law firm and defended murderers in Inyo and Mono Counties for a number of years, losing only one case. He was such a successful lawyer that Inyo County asked him to become the district attorney so they would quit losing to him (Palazzo). Very fine with folds. Size 8”x12”. Est. $100-300

LASSEN

202. Lassen. Susanville. Mount Lassen in Eruption Original Photograph, 1914. Captioned: “Mount Lassen in Eruption. No. 24. Copyright 1914 by P. J. Thompson Susanville Cal.” P. J. Thompson was active in Modoc County from 1900 to 1924 according to Mautz, Biographies of Western Photographers. 8 x 10” (10 x 11” with gray cardboard mat). Water spots on photo. Wearing, small tears and stains on matte. Est. $100-200

LOS ANGELES

203. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. Frauds in Lands in California. 12pp 1876 pamphlet including blue soft covers entitled Decision of the Secretary of the Interior…Protest of the State Land Commission, Petition of a thousand citizens of Los Angeles Valley, California, and FACTS.” This pamphlet discusses in great detail the struggle for lands in southern California. It summarizes various legal battles regarding potential privatization of lands. Rare. Excellent condition. Est. $100-300

204. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. Los Angeles Area Matted Photograph, c.1890. Captioned: L.A. Cal. May 4, 1902. Photo by Vincent. Writing on back reads, “Inscription cut away. Mr. H. Keay. 232 Alameda St.” View of two horse-drawn carriages with men and women in fine dress. Men are wearing suits and ties. Women are wearing dresses and hats. The small carriage in front is drawn by one horse and carries a family of 4. The large carriage behind it is carrying 21 people and is drawn by 6 horses. Appears to be taken next a park or arboretum. Nice early view of Los Angeles. Rough edges and bottom left corner, small tear on right side of photo. 10 x 8” with cardboard backing. Vf. Est. $75-150

MARIN

205. Marin. Two lapel badges commorating Sir Francis Drake. “Commemorating/ (color pic of Sir Francis Drake)/ San Rafael, California/ The Landing Of Sir Francis Drake On Marin Co., Shores” with red, white, blue suspended ribbon and gold California bear medallion. 56mm diameter, bear is 32mm long. XF. Date unknown, probably circa 1910-20. Rare. Est. $40-75

MARIPOSA

206. Mariposa. Fremont Estate. Aqua Fria Gold Mining Co. Scrip for 10 shares to unknown issuee. British currency stock, referring to “The Sum of One Pound” for each share. Actually signed by directors, stamped by secretary. No vignette, but fancy border at left. Printed on waxed linen. 5 3/4” x 9”. This was not one of the Fremont grant (Mariposa Estate) contracts. They leased the claim that was leased from Fremont to his bankers, Palmer, Cook & Co. Fremont probably floated numerous issues on the Agua Fria Creek drainage, which contained significant placer gold. This creek ran down the gut of the Mariposa Estate. Numerous mining camps developed on its shores, including Bear Valley, Mount

Ophir, Princeton, Upper & Lower Agua Fria, Guadeloupe and others. Browne mentions this company as having property on the Mariposa Estate. The company was scandalous, according to Fremont & Hoffman. Refused a lease from Fremont at every turn, they finally got one, third or fourth hand. The mines produced about $100,000 per month in 1863 when the company was sold. There are numerous detailed reports of the early years of the Mariposa Estate, particularly by J. Ross Browne (1868, p.21-30). Some foxing around edges. Very fine. Est. $200-400

207. Mariposa. Hite’s Cove. Hite Gold Quartz Co. Cert #696. Incorporated in New York, 1881. Issued to Augustus Thomas for 100 shares in 1881. Signed by Wm S. Clark president and secretary. Vignette is a view of El Capitan in modern day Yosemite Park. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - ABN. A long producing mine at Hite’s Cove. The famous mining engineer, John Hays Hammond, said it was the first legitimate gold mine he saw in operation. Hite was married to an Indian woman who showed him the rich outcrop that later became a mine. The Hite Gold Quartz Co failed by 1883 and the property was returned to J. R. Hite (ref. Hammond Autobiography, 1937; Burchard, 1883, p.172). Very fine. Est. $300-600

208. Mariposa. Yosemite. Yosemite and Its High Sierra, 1914. Wonderful piece! Attractive hardbound cover, brown with a color plate from a painting of Yosemite attached, 7” x 10 1/4”. 145 pages with map of Yosemite printed on newsprint paper attached to inside of rear cover. Written by John H. Williams in 1914. Includes over 200 illustrations and 8 color plates from paintings by Chris Jorgensen. Book has wear to edges and is slightly bowed, otherwise VF. Est. $100-300

209. Mariposa. Yosemite. Yosemite CDV, c.1865. Lawrence & Houseworth view #1112. The Yo-Semite Falls. Classic, clear view of Yosemite Falls. Three dots in the sky at upper left and one small brown tone stain at left of upper falls. Provenance: Vaughan family album. Est. $100-300 JMallory

Mariposa. Yosemite. Yosemite Short Line RR, please see Railroadiana Section

MENDOCINO

210. Willits. Original Watercolor of Mendocino County, California, 1901. The view is a farm house set in a country setting. Near the house is a prominent, pyramid shaped rock outcrop. Captioned at bottom left with “Crown Rock and Sherwood Valley house Lawheav’s Ranch, 12 m. north of Willits, Mendocino Co, Calif, July 27, 1901. Signed at lower right corner by artist, Max H. Ruse(?). Extremely fine. Est. $75-200

MERCED

Merced County Art Work, please see Art Section.

MONO

Mono. Aurora. Early 1860’s Aurora Mining Deeds, please Nevada. Esmeralda. Aurora.

211. Mono. Benton. Millner & Co Billhead, 1883. Billhead “Bought of Creaser, Millner & Co., /Dealers In/General Merchandise/Agents Wells, Fargo & Co’s Express” datelined “Benton, Mono Co., July 21, 1883”. And addressed to the Watterson Brothers. Creaser & Millner was active in Benton Hot Springs as early as 1868 when silver was discovered on Blind Springs Hill. They were both involved in mining and in the hardware business but their partnership broke up sometime in the late 1880’s at which time Millner was the sole proprietor up thru the 1890’s. Benton documents are extremely rare. Est. $100-200

212. Mono. Benton. Mono County Treasurer Reports (3 total) for the Terms ending and June 15, 1875; June 4, 1877; and Jan 9, 1878. Reports fold out to about 22” x 17” and list monies received on account of State Lands available under grants and purchased by various individuals. Lands include school, seminary, public buildings, agricultural college, overflowed lands, and tide lands. These are all marked “Duplicate” but are not modern copies but original duplicate copies. Est. $100-300

213. Mono. Benton. Mono County Warrants, 1868 & 1875. Lot of 3 pcs. Two 1875 Mono County, Cal. “Warrant Upon The County Treasurer” paid out of the Benton School District Fund. Benton Hot Springs was one of the earliest settlements in Mono County, having sprung up in the late 1860’s as a result of silver being discovered on Blind Springs Hill. Items are rare and in very good condition. Datelined Benton, June 30, 1875 and countersigned by A.F. Bryant, Mono County Treasurer. 1868 Mono County, Cal. &#x201CWarrant” to the Treasurer of Mono County paying Albert Helverton $3.00 out of the General Fund for Election Service. Signed by H.W. Crocker, County Auditor. This is a very early Mono County piece and in very good condition. Est. $100-200 TC

214. Mono. Bodie. Bodie Bluff Cons Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1863, signed by Leland Stanford as president, otherwise unissued. Agnew & Deffenbach print, San Francisco. Beautiful yellow and pink background (underprint). Spectacular vignette of Bodie Hill listing eleven of the early properties. Datelined Aurora, Mono County, California, which is where the men of the district thought Aurora was located, was the victim of a detailed boundary survey in 1862 that found that Aurora was really in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Mono then lost out on the tax revenue generated from the Aurora mines, but kept the revenue from the Bodie mines discovered later in the 1870’s, which far surpassed the Aurora production.. Stanford invested in Bodie unsuccessfully in the early 1860’s. He sold out before the big discoveries were made and never made a cent. His father also had interests in the Bodie-Aurora area. Stanford went on to a great career as a financier, primarily for the Central Pacific Railroad among other interests. He began a university named after his son in California, which today is among the most elite in America. These certificates are extremely rare issued. We know of two. About 12-15 of the signed pieces exist, not enough to satisfy the autograph and Bodie market. Est. $750-1500 fha

215. Mono. Bodie. Bodie Ephemera, 1878 & 1900. Lot of 5 pcs. Includes 3 Latham and King, San Francisco stock trade orders for various Bodie area companies, and two J.S. Cain, Bodie letters regarding their banking business. Est. $50-100 fh

216. Mono. Bodie. Bodie Lion Mining Co. Cert. #111. Incorporated in 1878. Unissued, unsigned and uncancelled. Black border, no vignette. Printed by Britton & Rey. Datelined San Francisco. 3 3/4” x 8 1/2”. Xf, some minor foxing at edges. Based on the name of this company, we find it hard to believe it is not in Bodie. Est. $50-100 (no illustration)

217. Mono. Bodie. Knights Templar Ribbon from Bodie, 1883. Outstanding multicolor Bodie ribbon. &#x201CTriennial Conclave San Francisco, 1883, (pic banner) Bodie, Fidei Coticula Crux, Knoghts Templar Bodie, California”. Dark gold tassel suspended from bottom. 2.5 x 8” plus the tassel. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: McFarland Collection, a California Pioneer. Est. $500-1000 5609 138

218. Mono. General. H. S. Crocker & Co Billheads, 1873. Lot of 5 pcs. All from Steam Printers and Stationers for supplies ordered by the Bridgeport, Mono County Clerk Albert Mack. Billheads are all dated 1873 and have fancy vignettes of the H. S. Crocker & Co. Factory. Crocker was a major western printer. Est. $25-75 TC

219. Mono. Lake. Chrysolite Mining Co. Cert. #30. Incorporated in 1879. Issued to Robert F. Pixley for 1000 shares in 1879. Signed by president Geo. Wells and secretary Pratt. Datelined S.F. Uncancelled. Black print and border. Printed by Britton & Rey. 3 3/4” x 8 1/2”. Xf, tiny pin holes at top. Est. $150-300 (no illustration)

220. Mono. Oasis. T. P. /Oasis // GF1 drink. Rd, al, 25mm. Corroded. Not listed to the best of my knowledge, nor was there one in the Adele Reed Collection which we sold a number of years ago. Oasis is 60 miles south of Candelaria at the south end of Fish Lake Valley on the west side. In 1888, N. T. Piper was the postmaster and a rancher. [1888 California Gazetteer] Ms. N. T. Piper is listed in the 1905 Suits-Schuman directory as operating a general store. Oasis was located along a major road between the Owens Valley and places such as Goldfield and Bullfrog. Easily readable, but corroded on both sides. Still a killer piece. There are two different pieces known. Very rare. It is thought that about 5 total pieces might exist. (With help from Ron Lerch). Est. $500-1000

221. Mono. Sweetwater Canyon. Great Western Mining Co. Cert. #49. Incorporated in 1869. Issued to Isaac Hinckley Esq. For 350 shares in 1871. Signed by president R. Lambon and secretary Walter Hinchman. Cancelled by 1” subsequent gashes near masthead and near signature. There were two viable companies existing under the same name at the time of this certificate’s issuance, only one discovered before 1880, listed in Mono County. The Great Western Mine was on the north side of Sweetwater Canyon opposite the California Comstock. A few hundred feet of vein material was carved out by a glacier. Quartz was discovered soon thereafter during the small late 1870’s boom associated with Lundy and Bodie. Had an 80’ tunnel, with reported assays of $117 and $161 per ton in 1882 (Ref: Burchard, 1882). Nice vignette of a large stone quarry operations. Black border, printed by ABNC. 6 1/4” x 10 1/2”. Vf, folds. Est. $200-400

MONTEREY

222. Monterey. Carmel. Carmel Area Artistic Photographs, c.1925. Lot of 3 different pcs. Taken along the California coast by photographer Lewis Josselyn, Carmel, California (1914-1940). Photo copyright. Embossed with photographers last name and first initial in bottom right corner. 5 x 7”. Item 1: View of large ship with three masts with small boat beside it along rocky coast. Taken from above looking through trees. Slightly rough corners. Item 2: View of wave crashing into rocks jutting out into the sea, topped by a lone tree. Item 3: View of stone house perched on a rocky coastline, overlooking the ocean with view of coastline in the distance. All in good condition. Vf. Est. $50-100

223. NAPA

224. Napa. Oat Hill. Lucky Strike Mining Co Prospectus, c.1930. A short pictorial promotional prospectus of the La Joya Quicksilver Mine, Napa County, Calif., which was operated by Lucky Strike MC, of Reno, 3.5 x 6”. The pamphlet folds out to show 7 different printed photographs of the mine on pages 3.5 x 6”. In the Mines Register, 1931, p.600, lists that this company owned the Aetna Extension quicksilver mine in the Oat Hill district, Napa County and the Gold Luck mine in Mariposa County. Was said to be managed by a competent engineer. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150

NEVADA

Nevada County Artwork, please Art Section.

225. Nevada. Donner Lake. Donner Lake Matted Photograph, c.1880. Matte 5.25 x 8.5” on yellow board, image size 4 7/8 x 8”. Wonderful clear view of Donner Lake looking west, showing the Hotel in the foreground and the classic view of Donner from the east end. The SPRR snow sheds are clearly visible on the mountain in the background. &#x201CPhoto by H. K. Gage, Truckee”, the most prolific photographer of the area during this period. This is the best historical view of Donner that we have seen. I do not recall seeing it published anywhere (fh). Extremely fine. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $500-1000

Nevada. Hobart Mills. Hobart Mills Logging Train Photo Postcards, please see Railroadiana Section

226. Nevada. Tahoe City. Grand Central Hotel Original Photo, c.1885. This unique view shows two round windows showing the same view of the hotel in the winter at left and in the summer at right. In the background behind the two windows appears to be a view of Emerald Bay. No photographer noted. 5.25 x 8.5” on gray board, the image size is 4.25 x 7.5”. Some foxing on the edges and on the back. Otherwise VF. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $400-800

227. Nevada. Tahoe. Cave Rock in Lake Tahoe Original Photograph, c.1930. Taken by J. LaVerne Lane. Picture shows the old road going around cave rock, before the tunnel was made. Very clear black and white picture. Some wear around edges. Size 11” x 14’. Very fine. Rare. This shot is technically taken in Douglas County, Nevada, not California, but is here due to the other wonderful Tahoe photos. Est. $50-100

228. Nevada. Tahoe. Fallen Leaf Lake Original Photograph, c.1885. Fallen Leaf Lake is next to Lake Tahoe. Very clear view with good contrast. 5.25 x 7.4” on buff board with gilt trim, image size 6 x 4”. No photographer shown. On the back is marked “Lake Tahoe” but this is clearly a view of Fallen Leaf looking off toward Emerald Bay. Circa 1885. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $200-400

229. Nevada. Tahoe. Tahoe Original Photographs, c.1930. Lot of 5 different photos. Two of the photos are colored, either by color film or some sort of chromolitho process. One of these color photos is of Emerald Bay and the other is of a desolate dirt road, perhaps along the Nevada side of the Sierra Nevadas. The other three photos are b/w of Tahoe. One shows an overview of Lake Tahoe. Another is of Emerald Bay. The last is of “The Leaning Tree” along the road to Tahoe. The photographer was LaVerne Lane, an accomplished photographer and artist, related to he Byers family. All are 11 x 14”, edges slightly curled. Minor wear to edges of some. Very fine. Est. $100-300

230. Nevada. Tahoe. Tahoe Tavern & Steamer Tahoe Panorama Original Photograph, c.1900. A spectacular photograph with the Tahoe Tavern centered in the background. At the left is the long wood pier with many people present. The bay has 24 boats afloat, including the Steamer Tahoe. A. C. Pillsbury photographer. The photo is in outstanding condition with the only flaw a tiny ding along the right edge. There are remarkably no creases or folds. No discoloration. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $1500-3000

231. Nevada. Truckee. Donner Pass Area Photographs, c.1885-1890. Lot of 5 different photos, all taken by Phillip Thayer, Oakland photographer. A) View of the snow sheds on the mountain above Donner Lake, looking west from a spot where Highway 80 is today, but on the east side. B) Close-up of Old Donner Summit taken from the top of a snow shed above Donner Lake. Shows two people walking along a snow covered wagon road used to access the shed. C) View of a group of hikers near the site of the Peter Grubb Hut today. This view is taken at the end of the dirt road where the Pacific Crest Trail meets the dirt road from the modern Donner Summit on the east side of the highway. It is the foot of the trail to Castle Peak. It remarkably looks the same today. Each of the persons in the view are identified on the back. Most are Thayer’s family. D) photo of part of the Castle Peak complex. E) Photo of two ladies on an outcrop just above old Donner Summit in the area where the Pacific Crest Trail heads south from the trailhead. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $400-800

232. Nevada. Truckee. Truckee Lumber Co Original Photograph, c.1885. The wonderful view is of a tripod unloading logs from a rail flat car into a lake or the Truckee River for the Truckee Lumber Co. H. K. Gage photograph, Truckee. Railroad tracks visible in background. A splash of one of the logs hitting the water has caused what appears to be a blank spot in the center of photo. 4 5/8 x 7 ¾” photo on yellow board 51/4 x 8 1/8”. Generally XF. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $200-400

233. Nevada. Truckee. Truckee River Canyon Original Photographs, c.1927. Taken by J. LaVerne Lane. Lot of 6 pictures. The first picture is a colorized photo of the Verde Bridge photographed from the Truckee River. The second picture is a black and white showing the Southern Pacific Rail Road Tracks along the Truckee River, near Boca, California. The third picture shows the road and looks towards the Farad Flume along the Truckee River. Until recently, Farad had a power plant which was driven by water from the flume. Picture has noted that the dirt road is Interstate 80. The fourth picture showing the Southern Pacific tracks along the Truckee river with a Car at the Rail Crossing in the foreground. A dirt Interstate 80 is on the hill. The fifth picture is of the Truckee River in the foreground with the Southern Pacific tracks in the back ground. The last picture is of Interstate 80 when it was dirt winding through the mountains. All pictures have hand written numbers on the back. All pictures are very fine with some minor smudging and wear. Pictures are 11” x 14” in size. Rare collection of pictures. Est. $200-400

ORANGE

234. Orange. San Juan Capistrano. San Juan Capistrano Mission Matted Photograph, c.1890. View of the front of San Juan Capistrano mission with bell towers. 7 x 9” with light-colored matte. Small stains on photo but otherwise in very good condition. No photographer noted. Vf. Est. $100-200

PLACER

235. Placer. Michigan Bluff. Golden Sheaf MC Prospectus, c. 1900. Discovered in the winter of 1856-57, the company consisted of 80 acres of placer ground. It was proposed to potential investors that the operations be carried out by tramway, an abundance of “fine timber” in order to construct the plant, and electric power. Assay samples of concentrates averaged $24.85 per ton. Prospectus is in slightly rough condition, with front and back covers detached from pages, but all pieces are present. Nice vignette on the cover of two miners at sunset, with some gilt highlights. Printed by the Press of A.J. Johnston Co., Sac’to. Est. $50-100 (no illustration)

236. Placer. Newcastle. Marion Shovel Model 60 Original Photo Postcard, 1911. The view is of a rail track mounted Marion Shovel Model 60 “Camp 10 Newcastle, Cal.” Card postmarked Newcastle, 1911, on reverse with 1 cent Columbian Expo stamp. Sent from Wm Barry to Mary Barry in San Francisco. Est. $75-150

PLUMAS

237. Plumas. Lights Canyon. Ruby Copper Co Document Archive, c.1920. Permit authorizing the sell of securities for the Ruby Copper Co, 1919. Articles of Incorporation of the Ruby Copper Co, 1919. Agreement by the directors of Ruby Copper Co to deposit stock in the Mercantile Trust Co, 1919. Employment contract between Ruby Copper Co and J. L. Williams, to act as superintendent of the properties located in Lights Canyon, Plumas County, for the sum of $300 per month until 1922, dated 1919. Deed of ownership of the North Ann silver mining claim located in the Lights Canyon district, owned by J. L. Williams, 1916. Articles of Agreement that Earl Williams will do all assessment work on the Snow Storm group and acquire a quarter interest, 1914. A letter to H. E. Bush from Jerry discussing a potential investor in their property and stock, 1919. Mercantile Trust Co letterhead aknowledging receipt of shares for deposit from the Ruby Copper Co, 1919. Letterhead from Fred J. Elliot of Phoenix, Arizona, discussing his purchase of stock in the Ruby Copper Co and also the recent market problems as well as labor problems. Elliot is optimistic in the “bouyant American Spirit” and intends “to keep the mine going at all costs…”, dated 1919. Letterhead from J. B. Haggin, to Williams, discussing the social problems that were affecting the Bay Area, including that 12 unions were on strike, and that President Wilson was very ill, signed by A. Falconer, 1919. The last item is an agreement to transfere the Snowstorm group, property of the Ruby Copper Co, to the Feather River Copper Co, going on to discuss the details of the contract, but Ruby Copper Co is never mentioned by name, 1919. Ruby Copper Co was listed has having 19 claims, 2 miles southwest of the Engels mine and 1 mile from the Indian Valley RR, with a reported 60 foot showing at 4% copper. In 1920, the 15 ton mill was producing 1000 pounds of 44% copper per day. No recent reports (Mines Handbook, 1925, p.613). The Feather River Copper Co was purchased by the Engels Copper Mining Co in 1923, (Mines Handbook, 1925, p.553-554). All fine to very fine. Est. $100-200

238. Plumas. Taylor. Taylor Plumas Mill & Mining Co. Cert. #336. Issued to J. W. Herrick for 100 shares in 1884. Signed by W. G. Robinson president and C. A. Brandt secretary. Vignette at top center of several miners at an adit entrance working an outcrop. Brown border and print. &#x201CLocation of Property Plumas County” printed on certificate. Uncancelled. Printer - Dollard Stationers, NY. The mine changed names from Taylor Mine to Crescent Mines in 1882. It was a producing mine that was discovered in 1864 and worked through 1894. Production of good ore was off and on for 20 years, but was defunct and in disrepair by 1917 (Burchard, 1882, p.84; Boyle, p.110). Very fine. Est. $150-300

RIVERSIDE

239. Riverside. Hemet Lake. Hemet Lake Dam Under Construction Original Photograph, c.1890. &#x201CThe Great Lake Hemet Dam, San Diego.” Waite Photo. Image 6.25 x 8.25” on light gray board 8 x 10”. Corners a bit worn, photo generally excellent. This dam created a 2 plus mile long lake on the south fork of the San Joaquin River 5 miles south of Idyllwild. Built prior to 1901. [Durham p1435]. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $150-300

SACRAMENTO

240. Sacramento. Sacramento. Admission Day Celebration and Electric Carnival NSGW Souvenir Program, 1905. The celebration was from the 4th to the 9th. Red and black cover with some gold and green print, and a drawing of the State Capital and an embossed State Flag on the cover. Back cover is black with gold print and gold duck figures showing Native Daughters of the Golden West locations. Approximately 50 pages. Black print on white paper. There are many pictures of places and people in the book. There are also many advertisements. Size: 7 ¾” x 11”. Cover is detached. Beautiful piece of history. Rare. Very fine. Est. $75-150

241. Sacramento. Sacramento. J. C. Meussdorffer Imprinted Cover & Manuscript Letter, 1869. The envelope has a Wells Fargo postmark and has a Wells, Fargo & Co frank at left. J. C. Meussdorffer, Wholesale & Retail Dealer in Hates & Caps, 105 J St. near Fourth, Sacramento imprinted in white at top center. Side opening. Manuscript letter from John Slater, Sacramento, 1869. Both extremely fine. Est. $120-250 5823 98

242. Sacramento. Sacramento. Illustrated Lettersheet with Manuscript Letter, 1853. &#x201CJ Street, Sacramento, on New Year’s Day, 1853”. The letter actually discusses the illustration that shows 1853 New Years Day flood. The author explains to his “Dear Parents” the wretched condition of the Sacramento roads, making it impossible to conduct business in town, as “it is impossible for teams to get in the city…”

Baird 117 (unlisted in the Baird index under Sacramento, J Street, The Union, or R. H. Vance). This lettersheet represents the second known copy in private hands, with three other copies owned by institutions, according to Baird and the Clifford Sale Catalog (Dorothy Sloan Auction). The Clifford lettersheet was written just 2 days prior to this, involving completely different people. This letter, dated January 30, 1853 is written by J. F. Allison to his parents (unknown location). The letter is important because of the discussion of a small, short-lived town that cropped up near Sacramento called Hoboken. Allison’s two page letter discusses the horrible weather, the lengthy rains that have basically shut down commerce to and in Sacramento that resulted in developing a new spot to conduct commerce.

“The business of Sacramento is transacted about 4 miles from the city where there has sprung up a temporary town which has been named Hoboken. Goods are transported there up the American River if the weather remains fine a few weeks. Hoboken will be a town that was.”

Researching Hoboken is a challenge. The town, while shown in Bancroft to last through at least 1857, was also known as Norristown. But Gudde (both books) and Durham fail to mention the community. Bancroft further stated that the site had “clouded title.” It seems Mr. Allison was prophetic in this letter.Wonderful illustration picturing a flooded town scene, with folks boating down J Street. 9” x 11”. Vf, two coin sized holes and three similar rust spots, which is believed to be from a $1 gold coin attached by seal wax. Folds. Est. $1000-2000 5270 21

SAN BERNARDINO

243. San Bernardino. Mojave. Sanchez & Soledad Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #864. Incorporated in California. Issued W. W. Sprague for 25 shares in 1883. Signed by James Noel president and I. W. Felt secretary. Vignette with the California State Seal at center with two mining scenes on either side with Green and white masthead. Black border with green underprint. Uncancelled. Printer not noted. 8 x 12”. &#x201CMojave Mining District, California” printed at left on certificate. Datelined Los Angeles, Cal. This company was mentioned in Burchard, 1885, as beginning development work. Assays of $20 to $1000 per ton were reported. The certificate indicates that the Mojave District was in San Bernardino County, but this district is also listed as being in Los Angeles and Kern Counties. The property was located on the north side of Soledad Butte, about 4 miles southwest of Mojave. Ore generally occurred in quartz veins 4 to 15 feet wide. Free gold and hornsilver are noted in the literature. The district was notably skipped over by early writers of California gold deposits, and not found in the Report of State Mineralogist until mid 1890’s. The Sanchez & Soledad didn’t leave much of a mark in history. We were unable to determine just which property the company held. The discovery period of the district appears to be about the time of this certificate, though the early gold discoveries near Soledad could also be here. (Tucker, Mining in California, 1923, pp.156-164). Extremely fine. Est. $200-400 5672 28

244. San Bernardino. Needles. Needles Original Matted Phototgraph, 1902. Image is 7.75 x 9.5” on gray board 10 x 12”. Atkinson, Topeka, & Santa Fe engine #989, at the time the largest engine. Photo taken at Needles, Cal in 1902. No photographer shown. Photo shows a number of men on and around the engine. One of the men is identified as Fred Roehig. Photo is badly bleached, and a corner of the upper right is broken from the board, not affecting the photo. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $100-200 5592 138

245. San Bernardino. Redlands. Bear Valley Irrigation Co. Cert #36. Issued to Electa A. Fay for 10 shares in 1891. Signed by James Sanborn president, Hotchsin secretary, W. Bartlett treasurer and Aurth H. Day agent. Vignette of New Bear Valley Dam showing the dam with trees and outrcrop surrounding. Attractive masthead. 6 of the original 20 coupons have been cashed in. Uncancelled. Printer S. D. Childs & Co, Chicago. Green border and underprint. 10 x 14”. In 1883 Frank Elwood Brown, co-founder of Redlands, traveled with Hiram Barton (vineyardist and sheep rancher) to Bear Valley in search of the prefect place for water storage to be used for the valley’s farms in summertime. There are conflicting stories about how Brown knew to look in Bear Valley, but some say he read about

in the San Bernardino Weekly Times article published by Fred Perris in 1880 regarding this area’s potential for water storage. After surveying the area, Brown was faced with the challenge that most of the valley was privately owned for sheep and cattle grazing. J. S. Shannon, a wealthy Los Angeles banker, and an ex-miner named Richard Garvey owned most of it, while Southern Pacific RR owned another section. Brown purchased a 20 day option on Bear Valley for $500 and he used these 20 days to take innumerable trips with potential investors to see the site. By the end of the allotted time, the Bear Valley Land and Water Co was formed. Bear Valley Land & Water Co was almost continually involved in litigation over water rights and although they usually won - it was costly, in time and money. The goal was to retain rights to the entire water shed: no small feat! But as the rights were being secured, Brown started building a dam in July 1883. It was not until July of 1885 that the first water flowed from the dam. In about 1889-1890, Brown began a series of selling stock from his own companies to other companies that were his own. After organizing the Bear Valley & Alessandro Dev Co, c.1889, they bought all of the Bear Valley Water Co land (including 20,000 acres of the Alessandro), then they incorporated the Bear Valley Irrigation Co, which bought all of the original Bear Valley Land and Water Co, including the dam, from Bear Valley & Alessandro. All of this was done, of course, to make money. (Robinson, The San Bernardinos, pp168-179, Santa Anita Historical Society; Only One Redlands, pp102-105, 1963). Very fine. Est. $200-400

246. San Bernardino. St. Elmo. St. Elmo Investment Co. Lot of 2 pcs. Cert #12 & 13. Issued to Samuel Merrill for 1 share each in 1887. Signed by Charles McBride president and A. M. Thornton secretary. Vignette at left of dear in the woods. Black border and print. Appear to be cancelled as based on notes on the reverse of each. Front has no evidence of cancellation. Datelined Los Angeles. Several tape repairs to edges. St. Elmo was located about 4 miles from the small village of Red Mountain. There was a St. Elmo mine located nearby (Cal Geo Names, p.1463). Poor to fine. Rare. Est. $200-500

San Bernardino. Temescal. Please see Ingot Section for Temescal Tin Ingot and story.

247. San Bernardino. Temescal. Santa Ana Tin Mining Co. Cert #43. Incorporated in Territory of Arizona, 1901. Issued to Roy E. Austin for 100 shares in 1901. Signed by Gail Borden vice president and L. C. Comer secretary. Vignette of spread winged eagle. Black border with silver seal. Uncancelled. Printer - Stoll & Thayer Co, LA. 8 x 11”. We offered the prospectus for this company in Auction #16. The property is located in the Santa Ana Mountains about 6 miles from the Trabuco Canyon mines. The company also owned gold mines above the mill. The deposits were found by prospectors who found gold and tin in their pannings. Tears at top edge along fold creases. Very fine. Est. $100-200

SAN DIEGO

248. San Diego. La Jolla. La Jolla Cliffs Original Photograph, 1895. Photo by Coonley, San Diego. April, 1895. Write-up of La Jolla on the back. 4.25 x 7.5” image on yellow board 5.25 x 8.5”. Generally XF. Crisp. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $75-150

SAN FRANCISCO

249. San Francisco. Mare Island. Mare Island Original Photograph, 1891. Photo by Charles Carlson and shows the interior of a boat works on Mare Island. &#x201CS. F. Boats Oct. 20, 1891”. The view contains 5 “long boats” under construction, each about 35’ long. Tear to lower edge near right side, penetrating photo about ½ inch. Very rare boat construction view. 4.5 x 7.5”. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $150-300

250. San Francisco. San Francisco. A. J. Plate & Co Billheads, 1875. Lot of 2 pcs. Both billheads are dated June 16, 1875. One billhead is to John R. King and the other to Felix. W. Clouette. A. J. Plate & Co sold guns, rifles, Pistols, Sporting Material, Trimmings and Military Goods of every description. They were the sole agent on the Pacific Coast for Remington Arms. Both billheads are in excellent condition. Size 4 3/4” x 8 ½”. Black print on white blue lined paper. Extremely Fine. Est. $50-150

251. San Francisco. San Francisco. Adolph Sutro Signed Checks, 1887-1896. Lot of 8 different pcs. Check # 87, dated 1892; #189, dated 1890; #1243, dated 1893; #57, dated 1889; #148, dated 1893; #3206, dated 1896; #3661, dated 1896 and #72, dated 1887. All Adolph Sutro’s signatures are bright and bold. The collection has a variety of check styles and banks the checks were drawn. All extremely fine. Est. $200-400

252. San Francisco. San Francisco. Artistic Billheads, c.1880’s. Group (10 total) of 1880’s Artistic San Francisco Merchant Billheads, all with neat vignettes. Included are California Cracker Company; Standard Soap Co; Rothschild & Ehrenpfort, Steam Candy Manufacturer; John Breuner, Furniture, Carpets, and Upholstery; Lynde & Hough Co., Wholesale Fish Dealers; C.R. Splivalo & Co., Manufacturer of Vermicelli Macaroni Farina Italian Pastes; Liddle & Kaeding, Fine Guns, Rifles, Pistols & Fishing Rods; Monarch Milling Company; A. Lusk & Co., Green And Dried Fruits, Raisins and Hermetically Sealed Goods; Leege & Mills, Coffee Importers; and Brigham, Hoppe & Co., Commission Merchants and Sole Agents for Victor Brand Goods. This is a great group of billheads all dating from 1883 – 1895. The Standard Soap Co. billhead has a vignette of the entire soap factory on the wharf in San Francisco complete with sailing ships at dock, horse drawn wagons, and a steam locomotive and train. The Liddle & Kaeding billhead has a vignette of a single barrel shotgun and a trout being caught with a fly. Est. $50-100

253. San Francisco. San Francisco. Latham & King, Stock & Money Order Brokers, Stock Trade Slips, 1877-78. Lot of about 45 pcs. Nearly every document is a 5 x 8” sheet, typically to the Carson City Savings Bank, for purchases of stock or sale of stock in mining companies. One of these sheets is a note indicating mistakes in the cipher code between to the two offices. All have letterhead from Latham & King and are dated. Very fine. Est. $100-200

254. San Francisco. San Francisco. Mission Homestead Association Land Deed For Property, 1868. Three orange wax seals, 2 blue 50 cent Mortgage and one faded brown 5 cent Express revenue stamps.16” x 21”. Many separations along fold edges, thus poor condition, though easily repairable. This deed is for what we call today as a piece of a “tract subdivision.” 140 years ago the locals put together groups of investors and formed homestead associations. This deed is for two lots sold to S. S. Sprague. John W. Nye (not James W. Nye, Nevada Territorial Governor) was the Homestead Assn president and William Collins the secretary. The property ran 156 feet north from 23rd Street along the line of Harrison Street for a width of 26 feet. The second lot ran from a point on 23rd east from Columbia Street 25 feet, then 104 feet in a north-south direction. Est. $50-100

255. San Francisco. San Francisco. Royal Soap Co. Cert. #139. &#x201CLocation, San Francisco.” Incorporated in 1879. Issued to J.B. Cooper for 6 702/1000 shares in 1881. Datelined S.F. CA. Signed by president J.B Cooper and secretary Frank Aleressey. No vignette, but fancy masthead, black border. Printed by Crocker & Co. 4” x 9”. Xf. Est. $150-300

256. San Francisco. San Francisco. San Francisco Bank Imprinted Revenue Checks, 1869-1878. Lot of 9 different pcs. Two check from Sather & Co, both 1874, signed by Martin Turrill, printed by Edward Bouqui, Printers, both Rn-D1. Two Tallant & Comp Bankers checks, signed by Stone, dated 1869, both RN-B16. Two Bellog & Co Bankers, both dated 1878, signed at Frank Edwards, both RN-G. Three different Bank of California checks; one 1869, RN-B16; one 1872, RN-C21; one 1876, RN-F1. All very fine. Est. $200-400

257. San Francisco. San Francisco. San Francisco Mining Exchange Stock Quotes, 1931-32. Lot of 13 different pcs. Most of these items are 1 or 2 page daily mining stock quotes from the San Francisco Exchange. There are a couple Mines & Markets publications that discuss new mines and ore discoveries. All folded and very fine. Est. $150-300

258. San Francisco. San Francisco. San Francisco Stadium Inc. Cert #P10. Issued to Gardner A. Dailey for 544 shares in 1936. Signed by Brown Jr. president and Dunne secretary. No vignette. Orange border, underprint and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - Goes, distributed by Parker Printing Co. 8 x 11”. Dark ink stain at upper right corner that does not cross border. Extremely fine. Est. $100-200

259. San Francisco. San Francisco. Stock & Bond Exchange Newspaper, Official Monthly Report, Sept. 30, 1901. The newspaper is from the Merchants Exchange and contains information on bonds and stock listing them by company and what they are selling for. Also listed are the members of the Stock & Bond Exchange. The newspaper is from the Rehfisch & Hochstadter Co, 413 California Street. This is stamped on the newspaper in maroon ink. Black print on news paper. Blue line in drawn under Sacramento Elect. Gas & R’y information. Folded. Size 13” x 17”. Very fine. Est. $100-300

260. San Francisco. San Francisco. Sutro Heights Broadside 18 x 22”. &#x201CLots for sale by Will E. Fisher & Co. Agents, 14 Post St. Terms $25 balance in monthly installments of $10 each, …7% interest…” Printed by Bosqui Eng. Co., SF. Brown on crème. The broadside shows the area from the Cliff House inland to 32nd Avenue. The northern side is bounded by the government park above Clement Street south to D Street. The reverse side has all the promotional verbage. Circa 1890’s. Est. $150-250

261. San Francisco. Stock & Bond Exchange Newspaper San Francisco, March 16, 1901. This newspaper lists bonds and stocks and their bid and asked prices. It also lists the Stock & Bond Exchange officers and members. A. L. Langerman, 215 Sansome St. S. F. tel. Main 5968 is stamped in blue ink in the bottom right corner. Printed in black ink on newspaper. Folds and some small tears on right edge. Very fine. Est. $50-100

SAN JOAQUIN

262. San Joaquin. Stockton. I.O.O.F Charity Lodge No. 6 Document Collection, 1852-56. Lot of 20 pcs. The first item is a manuscript letter that only has page 5, 7 & 8 of the original letter, dated at end, 1852. From 1853 are 7 different documents pertaining to Lodge business, such as the death of A. D. Webster. 1854 is represented by an invitation to attend a function of Lodge No. 11, in Stockton. Three different documents from 1855. A grievance letter, dated 1856, regarding a one Br. Stanfford, who fell ill less than one month after his acceptance in the I.O.O.F in 1853. It seems that membership comes with a sickness benefit in the form of money. This was being disputed still, 2 years later. A 3 item batch of lodge documents date from 1858 including the semi annual reports of Lodge No. 6, and a treasurer’s report listing the members of the lodge. A final batch of items are “Odes” used by the I.O.O.F for various affairs, such as Funeral, Initiation, Installation, Opening and Closing. Printed on stock card. All fine. Est. $200-400

SAN LUIS OPBISPO

263. San Luis Obispo. Horseshow Bend. Horseshoe Bend Panorama View Photograph, c.1935. Horseshoe Bend is located near San Luis Obispo. The photograph engine #3709. The view shows nearly the entire train of 99 cars with 5 engines, as noted on the photo, covering the entire span of the horseshoe bend. Photo by Aston, No.3. 7 x 17.5”. Near mint condition. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $100-200

SANTA BARBARA

264. Santa Barbara. Point Arguello. Wreck of the S. S. Santa Rosa Matted Photograph, July 7, 1911 by Aston, photo #25. Aston dutifully recorded with photography the event of the San Ta Rosa wreck, taking a number of photos each day. This view shows a temporary trestle built for salvage after the ship had broken in half. Excellent contrast, generally excellent condition. Image 7.5 x 9.75” on brown board with green trim 12 x 14”. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $250-500

265. Santa Barbara. Point Arguello. Wreck of the SS Santa Rosa Matted Photograph, July 7, 1911 by Aston, photo #24. This view was taken shortly after the wreck beached, showing the ship freshly broken in half. Excellent contrast, generally excellent condition. Image 7.5 x 9.75” on brown board with green trim 12 x 14”. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $250-500

SANTA CLARA

266. Santa Clara. Almaden. Collection of letters, New Almaden Mine. ca 1856-1868. This is a remarkable group of correspondence concerning mine activity as well as instructions exchanged by the mining company headquarters in Baltimore and the mine. The correspondence begins in the heat of the California gold rush, recording some of California’s earliest European influenced mining activity, which was mercury mining at the New Almaden Mine. There are fully 19 letters (mostly 1856-1859), 2 lettersheets, and 5 receipts. The bulk of the letters involve correspondence between the company’s office in Baltimore (The Santa Clara Mining Association of Baltimore) and the mine superintendent, mostly for the Guadalupe Mine. None of the principals are found in Johnson’s 1963 work The New Almaden Quicksilver Mine, or Bancroft’s History of California, thus adding a completely new and previously unknown facet to the written historical record for this important mine, which was actively mining quicksilver (mercury) well before the California gold rush.

Examples: 1) In one letter dated May 19, 1859, President Robert Wright gives advice to Superintendent Eben Faxon Esq. related to quicksilver processing technology. Wright is disappointed that Faxon has experienced trouble with “the retorts” as the company had “been building high hopes from the favorable results obtained under that process of reduction.” Wright advises, “I take it for granted you have Dr. Ure’s Dictionary. If not you should procure it at once, and consult attentively his article on Mercury. He is emphatic in his preference for the retort system over all others in use for the reduction of quicksilver, pronouncing it the only mode at all in consonance with the present condition of the arts, and all others barbarous.” Apparently, Dr. Ure has already succeeded in erecting retorts at or near Obermoschel and, at a cost of £1,000, he could erect retorts at the Almaden Mines. (Ure’s two volume treatise plus one volume supplement was regularly considered the state-of-the-art scientific research of the period. Andrew Ure published A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines; in NewYork 1853, the Fourth English edition.).

2) Another letter to Faxon concerns squatter’s huts located on the Company’s property on the Sierra side of the Arroyo. It directs him to “take a written recognition from these people that they are residing there by your permission, not as Superintendent, but as Eben Faxon, and if they should be at all unruly, you must tear their houses down and put up others if necessary for account of the Company, which you can do if need be of the same materials of which the huts now in existence are constructed. The object in view is to destroy all chance of these fellows setting up the doctrine of squatter sovereignty against us.” A note at the bottom of the same page also prohibits the sale of liquor of any kind to the employees of the Company on the premises.

3) Some letters refer to the flasks used by the mine to store the mercury. One such letter, addressed on January 13, 1859 to G. Winter Esq., Cashier Santa Clara Mining Co, San Jose, California, is a reply to Winter’s inquiry about the resiliency of the flasks, assuring him that they will withstand “rough usage.” The letter describes how the flasks have been “pretty well tested.” One flask “which did not stand 200th to the inch was partly filled with quicksilver then rolled over the floor, pitched about, thrown down about 10 feet on stone flags, cracking the stone but not showing the slightest sign of a leak.” Other letters include a positive report on a visit to the Santa Clara Company’s mine in 1856; directions on how to send letters to the Mining Association Office in Baltimore (“You may adopt to mail your letters, and send by every mail steamer a full account of all operations at the mines (as before instructed) and by Nicaragua Steamers, a duplicate of the same.”); directions pertaining to the purchase of supplies, such as lumber; a letter from C. Heush asking permission to dismiss a Mr. Wollweber from the Company’s service because of his “very loose and slovenly” work at the mine; and a note from Hong Kong referring to the British attack on Japan. 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). Generally Vf. Est. $2500-$5000

267. Santa Clara. Gilroy. Sunday Gathering Original Matted Photograph, c.1890. View of 14 men, 2 women and 1 child posing in their Sunday best in front of a what appears to be an outdoor kitchen on a farm or ranch. A few of the men are holding brass instruments, and one man sitting on the ground is lighting his pipe or cigarette. One of the women is holding a chicken upside down, like she may be about to prepare it for a meal. 6 1/2 x 8 1/4” photograph on light brown heavy cardboard backing (9 1/2 x 11” with backing). Photographer: J. B. Cunningham, Gilroy, California. Small yellow stain and water stain on photo. Two inch tear starting at the top center edge through the cardboard backing continues into the photo. Water stains along edges and corners. Rough bottom left and upper right corners. Upper left corner missing. Fine. Est. $75-150

268. Santa Clara. New Almaden. New Almaden Stereocard, c.1870-5. Card shows mines and mills on a hill. Very fine condition. On the back is the name of the photographer: R. E. Wood, from Santa Cruz, Ca. Wear on the edges. Left photo repaired tear at the bottom right. Size 3 ½” x 7”. Card is not warped as some are. Very fine. Rare. Romanzo E. Wood is listed by Mautz in Biographies of Western Photographers as a traveling stereo photographer. Est. $150-350

269. Santa Clara. New Almaden. Quicksilver Mining Co. Cert #A2472. Incorporated in New York. Issued to Carlisle, Mellick & Co for 50 shares in 1911. Signed by several different officers. Vignette of two workers pouring quicksilver into the classic mercury flasks. Blue border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - National Bank Note. This was America’s largest mercury mine and was in production since Mexico’s possession of California. Mercury was used in the gold milling process to amalgamate fine gold particles. Wear to edges and minor foxing. Very fine. Est. $100-200

270. Santa Clara. Santa Clara. Rancho Agua Caliente Deed, 1867. From John E. Griffith to Joel Levin, both from the County of Santa Clara, California. Dated October 7th, 1867. Rancho Agua Caliente is presently Warm Springs, now part of the city of Fremont. Granted to Fulgencio Higuera in 1839. Persons of wealth as well as invalids came for benefits of the hot sulphur water. It was later a resort/winery of Stanford’s. (Historic Spots in California, Hoover pp 13-14). Blue 50 cent revenue stamp in left margin of indenture. Certificates and red seal of Notary public glued to inside page, near signatures. 17 x 22”. Vf, folds, small tears and stains along edges and folds. Neither principal is listed in Bancroft’s History of California. Est. $100-200 (no illustration)

SANTA CRUZ

271. Santa Cruz. Laurel. Laurel Depot & Wells, Fargo & Co.’s Express Office Matted Photograph, c.1900. Outstanding view with four men in front with one of the men leaning on a hand pump rail car. Child at right. Image 6.5 x 8.5 on dark gray board 11 x 14”. Minor dirt in the sky, no harm. The top of the mat has white spots. No photographer identification. Located 9 miles north of Soquel. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $250-500

SHASTA

272. Shasta. French Gulch. Milkmaid Exploration Co. Cert #88. Incorporated in 1925. Issued to Lemuel Robbins Jr. for 2000 shares in 1927. Signed by president and E. E. Erich secretary. Vignette of a mill next to a stream with two smaller vignettes of miners underground. Green border with green seal. Uncancelled. Printer - Goes. 8 x 11”. The company had a lease on 7 claims that included the Milkmaid and Franklin mines, located 2 miles northwest of French Gulch. Ore carried arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena and sphalerite with an value of $20-45 per ton. E. E. Erich, listed as the president, expended over $100,000 on the property, but decided not to exercise the option. The property was then picked up, around 19229, by Western Exploitation Co. The Milkmaid and Franklin mines had an historic production of $2.5 million between 1908 and 1917. (Mines Handbook, 1931, p.688-89). Very fine. Est. $50-150

273. Shasta. Redding. Redding & Weaverville Stage Coach Photo Postcard, 1812 & R. W. Copley Family History. Item 1: Photopostcard, matte finish. According to the hand written caption on the back of the card, the photo depicts the Redding/Weaverville stagecoach with R.W. (Bill) Copley as the driver. Dated summer 1912. Crease along upper left corner, small stains. 3 1/2 x 5 1/2”. Item 2: 8-page biography of John Singleton Copley, born in Boston July 3, 1737, and a famous American painter. By age 17, he was already recognized as a painter. He lived and painted first in Boston, where he painted a series of portraits of American colonial dignitaries, divines, judges and merchants, and then in London, where he settled in the spring of 1774. He was still there on December 5, 1782, when the King of England recognized America’s independence. After hearing the speech, Copley returned home and at once made an important modification to the painting he was working on at the time: he painted on the ship’s mast the first American flag displayed in England. 5 x 7 1/4” pages. Paper has aged, some small creases and tears. Both items vf. Est. $150-300

274. Shasta. Shasta Springs. Mossbrae Falls, Shasta Springs Original Photograph, c.1890. B. C. Towne Photo Co., Portland, Oregon. 4.25 x 7.5 image on 5.25 x 8.5” yellow board. Some foxing around board edges. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $75-150

SIERRA

275. Sierra. Downieville. Kruse & Euler of San Francisco Billhead, 1865. The billhead reflects the T. M. Eastman, of Downieville bought a case of lard from Kruse & Euler. This is the Original Kruse & Euler, which sold produce, and engineering/drafting supplies. K&E has been one of the leading drafting supply firms in the world for more than 100 years. Printed in black ink on brown lined white paper. Size 8 ½” x 7”. Folds. Tape at each corner. Ex. fine. Rare. Est. $50-100

276. Sierra. Downieville. National Merger Gold Mines Co Documents, 1932. Two pieces sent to the stockholders, each is 8.5 x 14”. One is titled Holdings of the National Merger Gold Mines Co, Known as the Scales Diggings or Cleveland Mines, with 6 stapled pages promoting the property. The second item is a 2 page letter to stockholders, 1932, that accompanied the report. The Mines Register, 1931, p.629-620, reports that the company controlled “380 acres, including the Rattlesnake drift prospect, in Rattlesnake canyon on the lava-capped Blue Lead channel, 13 miles by trail from Downieville.” At last reports, the channel had not yet been

found. Also owned the Lookout group and Chrysler claim in Weepah, Esmeralda County. A 50’ shaft was sunk on the Chrysler, but there is no record of any production or even of ore being found. &#x201CThe properties of this company are all prospects and thus the undertaking is purely a prospective in value.” Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

277. Sierra. Forest City. Envelope 1860s, Manuscript cancellation from Forest City. 3 cent 1861 stamp. From Forest City dated July 18. Addressed to David Cowden in “D,ville” (Downieville). 3 x 5”. Ink spots, small tear along bottom edge, edge tear, penciled number on back. Forest City today is a beautiful, small, isolated mining community that still has a number of historical structures standing. The main street is paved but not much else. Est. $50-100

SISKIYOU

278. Siskiyou. Fort Jones. Mountain Men Composite Photograph, c.1900. Is a composite of 22 oval pictures of men around the turn of the century with a 4 ¼” x 4 ¾” picture of a mountain man sitting with his rifle in the center. The center man appears to be a mountain man. The surrounding pictures may be of other (cleaned up) mountain men, perhaps early California Pioneers or even well-to-do men of Siskiyou and Shasta. Fort Jones was located about 13 miles southeast of Yreka. Mounted on heavy black matte board. Total picture size 10 ¾” x 14”. Very fine. Est. $100-200

SOLANO

279. Solano. Suisun & Fairfield Water Co. Cert. #79. Incorporated in 1866. Issued to Mrs. Margaret Owens for 100 shares in 1866. Signed by president Sammie Breck and secretary Geo. A. Gillespie. Uncancelled. Vignette of building at water’s edge. 25cent adhesive revenue stamp at left. Black border, with light pink bald eagle in underprint. Printer not noted. Vf, slight foxing, wrinkles, a few stains at bottom. 5” x 8”. Suisun is in an area of agricultural land in central California. The name was derived from a local Indian tribe and was applied to the area before 1800. In 1859, Robert H. Waterman, a famous captain of famous clipper ships, lived in a house west of Suisun that was modeled after the prow of a ship. He donated land for a new city which he named after his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. This water company may have been established to provide water for agricultural irrigation or for domestic use in the new town of Fairfield. Minor brown stain at bottom center edge. Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

280. Solano. Vallejo. Vallejo Presbyterian Church Photo Postcard & Church Plans, 1920. Lot of 2 different items. Item 1: Original b/w photo postcard, matte finish, white bordered. Captioned: Laying Corner Stone of Presbyterian Church, Vallejo, Cal., Mar. 21, 1920. J.C. Parsons Photo. Small crease in upper right corner. 5 1/2 x 7 3/4”. Item 2: Sketched picture of the outside of the First Presbyterian Church, Vallejo and church floor plans (ground floor and main floor). 10 x 12” (picture), 10 x 13” (plans). Architect: Henry F. Starbuck. Folds, paper has aged. Both items in very good condition. Vf. Est. $75-150

SONOMA

281. Sonoma. Geyserville. Geyserville Original Photographs, c.1890. Lot of 2 different photos. A) Devil’s Pulpit, Geyser Canyon and Hotel, Perkins photo. Hotel visible in center background. B) Devil’s Tea kettle, Perkins photo. Both 4.5 x 7.5”. Two nice views of this California geyser site that today houses the largest geothermal operation in America. Provenance: McFarland Collection. Est. $150-300

TRINITY

282. Trinity. Trinity Gold Dredging & Hydraulic Co. Cert #276. Incorporated in Arizona, 1908. Issued to William A. Bilyen for 10,000 shares in 1909. V. A. Whipple president and A. Diabler asst secretary. Vignette of a seated woman reading a book. Black border with bronze seal and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer not noted. 8 x 11”. This northern mining camp had its start in 1851 and remained a fairly rich gold district. Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

TULARE

283. Tulare. Mineral King. Black Rock Pass Photographs, c.1922. Lot of 4. The four black and white pictures show the mules and the riders at different points along the Black Rock pass trail during a pack trip in the 1920’s. The burros rented for about $1.00 per day as described on the back of one of the pictures. Three of the pictures are very fine, on glossy paper, and are 3” by 5” in size. The fourth picture has a purple mark on the picture and in purple ink on the top “top of Black Rock.” The size of this picture is 2 ½” x 4 ½”. Today there still are pack trips that go over the Black Rock Pass. The trail leaves from Mineral King in the Sequoia National Forest, and can end up at Wolverton, at the end of Pear Lake trail. For more information see the internet search engines on Black Rock Pass. All pictures very fine. Est. $50-100

284. Tulare. Visalia. Kaweah & Mill Creek Water Co. Cert #76. Incorporated in California, 1877. Issued to J. Russell for 18 shares in 1894. Signed by Geo W. Orwall secretary and president. Vignette at left edge of a bunch of grapes. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Visalia Delta Print. 4.5 x 9.5”. Datelined Visalia, Cal. This company probably was water supplier to the growing wine industry of California’s Central Valley. Extremely fine. Est. $75-150

TUOLUMNE

285. Tuolumne. Douglasville. Northern Light Tunnel & Mining Co. Lot of 3 different pcs. Three checks, 1866-68. All three checks were issued to P. R. Durham. Printed by Towne & Bacon, SF. One has a blue 2 cent documentary stamp. The other two have one orange 2 cent documentary stamp. Datelined Douglasville. Douglasville was at the junction of Sawmill Fault Road with Sonora-Columbia Road, opposite Union Hill (Gudde, California Gold Camps, p.99). Very fine. Est. $50-150

286. Tuolumne. Ohio. Jamestown Copper Mining Co. Cert. #49. Incorporated in 1863. Issued to P. Rocker for 15 shares in 1863. Signed by president Wm. Bunyard and secretary C. Goodman. Uncancelled. 25 cent adhered rev. stamp at left. Black border, no vignette, printed by W.B. Cooke & Co. 5” x 10 1/2”. Not listed in Copper Resources of California, 1908. The Ohio District is not listed in Browne or Raymond. Much copper came from nearby Copperopolis in Calaveras County. VG, stained, folds, damaged edges. Est. $200-500

287. Tuolumne. Sonora. Envelope circa 1850s. 6 cent stamp, U14 stamped cover. Postmarked Sonora. To Mrs. J.W.L. Brown, Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio. 3 1/4 x 5 1/2”. Edge wear, flap tear, stain on bottom edge. Generally fine. Classic California gold rush cover. Est. $50-100

288. Tuolumne. Soulsbyville. Soulsby-Belle Mining Co Document Collection, 1936. Lot of 4 pcs. The first is a specimen stock certificate, 8” x 11”