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CALIFORNIA PART 3: Mother Lode, Mendocino County, Mining - General, Mono County through Nevada County

MISCELLANEOUS MOTHER LODE

415. Gold Rush. Important Bullion & Exchange Bankers pay sheet for gold dust and coins, 1852. George S. Wright & Co, Cincinnati, Ohio. The blue sheet lists specie and bank notes and the bank's "buying rates." The list includes every kind of foreign and domestic coin and 18 kinds of bank notes. All buy rates are in "percent discounts". The prize entries on their sheet are "California Gold Dust" and "American Gold". Fabulous and rare representation of early banking discount buying rates including California gold brought back by miners to the interior. 7 X 10. Rare. Est. $150-300

416. Gold Rush. Australia. Gold Rush, 1852. Letter inquiring about the rates for passage to Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. The inquiry was made during the early stages of the Australian gold rush. Passage was made to Port Phillip "in the immediate neighborhood of the mines." Written in New York by Thos. Dennistown. Blue paper, folds, some foxing. Letters from Americans inquiring about the Australian gold rush are rare. Est. $200-400

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Mendocino. California=Western Railroad and Navigation Co. Please see California Rails at end of CA geographical section.

MINING, GENERAL

417. Mining. Baja, California. Mexico. 1891 Tin Medal. COMMERATING/ FIRST/ CAR LOAD OF/ METALLIC TIN/ PRODUCED / IN / NORTH AMERICA // PITTSBURGH & MEXICAN TIN MINING CO./ (pic coat of arms) / 1891. Tin, round, 1.5", AU. Tin in North America was an oddity in the nineteenth century. Its rarity and new industrial use with attendant demand caused it to be worth the same price as gold, resulting in a rush in Dakota in the 1880's. There were insufficient quantities for commercial mining, though they never gave up and a few commercial mines were in production from time to time afterwards. The P & M TMC shipped 25 tons of pig tin to the US in 1891, which beat out the 10 ton production of Dakota, thus it was not truly the first tin produced in North America. The Mexican operation was crude at best. "All the mineral that has been produced has been won by the natives in small lots, and reduced in diminutive and rude stone shaft furnaces at the mines." (Rothwell, 1892; FH) Est. $50-100

418. Mining. Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. Founded 1827, incorporated 1868 in New Jersey. Two certificates issued in 1959, one for 85 shares to Kidder, Peabody & Co, the other to Canal Insurance Co. for 100 shares. Signed by President M. Armstrong, Asst. Treasurer, L. Balbo and Secretary J.P.?? (unreadable). Both are canceled by hole punches through the signatures. Vignette top center of portrait of Joseph Dixon. Both blue borders on white paper. 7-3/4 x 11-1/2. Printer - ABN. Crucibles are used in assaying and foundry work. The material used in crucible manufacture is critical for the successful smelting and casting of metals. Most are made either from graphite (plumbago) or kaolin, a refractory clay that can withstand very high temperatures without melting or softening. The crucible must not react with and thus contaminate the molten metal, so much research has been done on the chemical environments inside the crucible during the melt. Graphite deposits in New Jersey and New York were being exploited in the early part of the 19th century, probably leading to the founding of this company. Folds, glue stains along left edge of both, very fine. Est. $25-50

419. Mining. Mine Securities Corporation. Incorporated in Maine in 1901. Issued to S. DeLisser for 100 shares in 1906. Signed by vice President L. L. Safford and Treasurer Thomas J. Tilvey ??. Uncancelled. No vignette, cloud pattern behind masthead. Gold border, seal and underprint. 9 x 12. Printer - Boschen & Wefer, N. Y. This was probably a securities trading company specializing in mining stocks, perhaps those that they underwrote themselves. Some wrinkles, curled edges, very good. Est. $25-50
420. Mining. National Mine Service Co. Incorporated in West Virginia. Three unissued specimen certificates for less than 100 shares, 100 shares and more than 100 shares. President and Secretary signatures printed. Vignette (all three the same) of allegorical seated male holding drawing board and drafting tools, global map of the world in background. Borders red (<100) green (100) and blue (>100 shares). 8 x 12-1/4. Printer - Columbian Bank Note. Hole punched "SPECIMEN" in body and single hole in serial number location. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150

421. Mining. Real Photo Postcard. Mine with miner and wooden ore car on tracks in front of portal. Location unknown; possibly Del Norte or similar area because of abundant ferns on embankment above portal. Est. $25-50

422. Mining. Underground California Placer Mine Photograph. Original black & white photograph, circa 1910, showing mancha (battery powered locomotive) pulling a string of at least ten full ore cars. The drift has a waterway or underhand stope to the left of the tracks, and a pillar of imbricated gravel to far left. The roof (back) is solid rock, probably a Tertiary volcanic unit. These types of underground placer gold mines were typical in central California, particularly in the Placer County to Sierra County regions, at such places as Iowa Hill and La Porte. 5.5 x 7", mounted on dark gray board, but the board is tightly trimmed around the photo, possibly having been placed in someone's photo album. Outstanding illustration of this type of underground mine. Est. $50-150

423. Mining. United States Mine Signal Manufacturing and Supply Co. Incorporated in New Jersey in 1887. Issued to Mitchell G. Rosengarten in 1893 for 5 shares. Signed by President Thomas Shaw and Treasurer Amos Ellis. Uncancelled. Two vignettes; at upper left, spread winged bald eagle on rocky crag, and upper right, three miners working underground. Green border and underprint on vanilla paper. 7-1/2 x 10-1/2. Printer - ABN. Communication between underground miners and those at the surface is absolutely crucial. The use of mechanical hoists for removing ore and waste and elevators for transporting miners in and out of the mine necessitated developing means of communicating between the hoistman and miners. Some very early devices were mechanical; raising or lowering an indicator in the hoist house to signal the miner's message. By the latter part of the 19th century, most signal devices were electrical, using a certain number of bells, horn blasts or light flashes to relay messages. At each hoisting station at the various underground levels, a chart is posted indicating the signal to be given to "hoist muck", "stop", "release bucket", "raise men", "lower men", etc. Signals are also given prior to blasting and other activities that affect the safety of operations. Many modern mines also have telephones in the mines for added communication and safety, but most still rely on the signal system. Pin holes top left margin, yellowing in outer border, very good. Est. $50-150

MONO COUNTY

424. Mono. Bodie. A. B. Stewart/ Druggist/ Bodie, Cal. Clear, 4.25" tall, with very light interior stain. Mint. This is the most famous of the Bodie embossed bottles, and quite possibly the most popular California drug store bottle to bottle collectors. Stewart was an enterprising drug store owner, who at one time operated or held a major partnership in stores in Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, and Bodie. He also had a store in Spokane, Washington, and Exeter, California, but not at the same time as his Nevada mining camp stores. Stewart lived in Bodie and in Silver City before venturing off to Washington and later back to Exeter, California. Est. $250-500.

425. Mono. Bodie. Big Meadows & Bodie Wagon Road Co. Billhead, Toll Receipt, 1880. Issued to Boone & Wright for November toll fares totaling $14.67. Ink smudge at fare total, near bottom. Very fine. The Company carried supplied from Bridgeport to Bodie. Boone & Wright were a general merchandise dealer in Bodie. 4.5 x 8.5. Est. $100-200

426. Mono. Bodie. Bodie Fire Department Dance card, 1901. One fancy ticket for a ball hosted by the Bodie Fire Dept., with a color picture of a fireman holding a bugle, 1901, 2.5 x 4.5. "23rd Anniversary Ball…at the Miner's Union Hall, Monday, March 18th, 1901" Very nice. Scarce. Est. $100-200
427. Mono. Bodie. Two Bodie Masonic Cards. Two Bodie Commandery No. 15, personal cards bearing the names of A.M. Ellsworth and Samuel McCurdy. Both cards were removed from an album, with some paper from the album still attached on the back. One bears a symbol of a cross through king's crown, "Signo Hoc Ni Vinces" on triangles surrounding symbol; the other carries a symbol of a knight on a horse, holding a shield , which also bears a cross, 1883, 2 x 4. Masonic. XF. Both show "Bodie, Cal." At the bottom right. McCurdy was a native of Ireland who came to America in 1852. In Bodie he was a machinist. These cards are fairly rare. Est. $100-300

428. Mono. Bodie. Boone & Wright Co. check. and promissory note issued to Henry Sefton for $70 in 1881. Paid. Merchant title at left. Red print on white paper. 3 x 8. Printed by Crocker, SF. Very fine. and promissory note dated 1880, signed by Boone & Wright to H. Quinn for $103. with vignette lady at left. Boone and Wright were general merchandise dealers in Bodie during the boom period of 1879-81, and perhaps longer. Est. $75-150

429. Mono. Bodie. Consolidated Pacific Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1878. Issued to Geo. Grant, Trustee for 50 Shares in 1884. Signed by President Warren Holt and Secretary F. E. Luty. Uncancelled. Black border and print on vanilla paper. 4 x 9. Printer - Britton & Rey, S. F. This company made one bullion shipment in 1886 amounting to $1,550. (8th Report of the Calif. State Mineralogist, p. 397) No mention of the company was made in the 1894 & 1896 volumes. Burchard reported it was in operation in the late 1870's but was closed in 1884. Worn and dirty, good. Est. $100-175

430. Mono. Bodie. Gillson & Barber, Merchants unissued check, c.1870. Very nice check, with a vignette of underground scene featuring men working in mine-man loading mine cart in the foreground. Black print on pink paper. 3.5 x 9. Datelined Carson City, Nevada and Bodie, Mono Co., Cal. Printed in New York. Water stain along bottom edge. "George Gillson, successor to" stamped in blue above masthead. Very fine. Est. $50-100

431. Mono. Bodie. Kilgore, Union Market Billhead, 1880. Union Market merchant billhead, 1880, C. H. Kilgore, dealer in Beef, mutton, corned meats, pork, veal, etc. . Vignette of cattle and sheep, at left. 5 x 8.5." All very fine. Est. .$50-100

432. Mono. Bodie. North Standard G&SMC. #1398. Incorporated in California. Issued to E.A. Richardson, Trustee for 100 shares in 1879. Uncancelled. Signed by president M.H. Brown and secretary H. Deas. No vignette, only fancy monogram at left. Black border on white paper. 5 x 9. Printer-Bosqui, San Francisco. North Standard was a major producing mine in Bodie, and eventually became part of the Standard Consolidated Mine. Est. $300-400..

433. Mono. Bodie. Oro MC. #1585. Incorporated in 1878. Issued to W.G. Crandall, Trustee for 65 shares in 1881. Cancelled. Signed by vice-president Charles W. Banks and secretary. Black border and print on yellow paper. Bodie District, Mono County printed on certificate. 3.75 x 8.75. Discovery of profitable amounts of gold was in 1860 for the Bodie district. But most of the workings were abandoned. The district became much more important in 1877 with the incorporation of the Standard mine which went on to produce over $1 million in 1883. Many companies incorporated in the area, but it was still considered a wild cat prospect in 1878. The name of this company is consistent with the fact that most of the miners in the Bodie district were Mexicans. (Burchard, 1884, p.173-76) Very fine. Est. $300-500

434. Mono. Dunderberg. Munckton Gold and Silver Mining Co. Incorporated in 1870, possibly in Nevada. Dateline is headed "Carson City, Nev." Unissued. Vignette upper right corner of large building, probably the Mono County courthouse. Black border and orange underprint. 5 x 10-1/4. Printer - Britton & Rey, S.F. The Dunderberg was considered one of the most important mines of Mono County by Raymond (Mineral Resources West of the Rocky Mountains) in 1873. Located on Castle Peak in the headwaters of the East Walker River, the mine was discovered in the 1860's and purchased by Dr. George Munckton and others of Carson City, Nevada. Their enterprise was named after him, but the mine name remained the Dunderberg. The ore was first shipped to Aurora, where they were paid $50 per ton, which was about 75% gold and 25% silver. The company ran over 1000 feet if drifting intersecting the lode at various points. A small mill was built on the property. It apparently remained active on and off until 1902, when the property became idle. Actual production is more than
100 tons, but unknown. George Munckton was a druggist (pharmacist) in Carson City and Virginia City in the early 1860's. He may have been the first druggist in Nevada (Carson City). He was so successful that at one time he had three stores under his name. [ref: FH; Raymond, 1873] No mention of the Dunderberg lode nor Munckton G & S MC could be found in earlier volumes of the California State Mineralogist's reports. Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

435. Mono. Lundy. Homer Mill and Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1879. Issued to F. E. Luty, Trustee for 250 shares in 1879. Signed by President J. G. McClinton and Secretary F. E. Luty. Uncancelled. Black border on yellow paper. 4 x 9. Printer - Britton & Rey, S. F. Luty also served as Secretary of the Edison Silver Mining Co. and as Secretary of the Consolidated Pacific Mining Co. that had a small shipment in 1886. McClinton was probably affiliated with the McClinton mine that shipped a little over $1000 in bullion in 1887 (8th Report of the Calif. State Mineralogist, p. 397). The Homer was the largest mine in the Homer District. It produced about $650,000 in gold through 1881, according to Burchard. L. L. Homer discovered the district in August, 1879. Located about 2 miles from the May Lundy near Lundy Lake and 22 miles southwest of Bodie. The first discoveries in the district were in Mill Canyon, 1.5 miles from Lundy. J. G. McClinton, of Bodie, bought the first discovered ledge from Homer and incorporated the company. Martin Jones was the superintendent. Several other companies were incorporated about the same time, including the May Lundy and the Homer Land, Water, Mining and Mill Co. A fairly detailed description is given in Burchard, 1880. Minor stains at fold, very fine. Est. $100-200

436. Mono. North Fork. De Soto GMC. #16A. Incorporated in 1894. Issued to N.L. Zabriskie for 23,391 shares in 1894. Uncancelled. Signed by J. M. Stump as president and H. B. Parsons as secretary. Vignette of spread-winged bald eagle perched atop globe. Black border, with orange underprint. Printer - Le Count, SF. The De Soto is in the North Fork district, saddled along the edge of Mono and Fresno Counties, along the east side of the San Joaquin River near Agnews Meadows. The De Soto vein was supposedly traceable to the Mammoth vein in Mono County. This mine is just inside Yosemite National Park. (Report of the State Mineralogist, 1892, p.219-23) Zabriskie's relationship with the that of C. Zabriskie of Death Valley fame is unknown. Very fine. 7 x 9.5. Est. $200-300

437. Mono. Sweetwater Canyon. Great Western MC, incorporated in Pennsylvania circa 1879, issued 1886 to Chas. Hinchman for 500 shares, signed by Robert Lambon as president and Geo. Krause as secretary. Uncancelled. Vignette of large stone quarry at top center, miner on knees at left. Printed by ABN. XF. This mining company with a common name only had two active companies with this name at the time of issue, and only one was discovered before 1880, thus the attribution to Mono County. The Great Western Mine is on the north side of Sweetwater Canyon opposite the California Comstock. A few hundred feet of vein material was carved out by a glacier, and the quartz was discovered during the small late 1870's boom associated with Lundy and Bodie. It had an 80 foot tunnel with reported assays of $117 and $161 per ton in 1882 by Burchard in his Report of the Director of the Mint. The certificate has a dateline that read 187x, with the 7 crossed out. Est. $200-400

438. Mono. Tioga. Tioga Check RNG. Bank of California, Tioga, 1881. Fine. Rare check. There was a Tioga Mine near Mt. Dana in 1880-1, which is probably where this check was issued. A road was built in 1882-3, but failed as a toll road for lack of business. [ref: Gudde] Est. $100-200

MONTEREY COUNTY

439. Monterey. Salinas Valley Canning Co., Ltd. Incorporated in Nevada in 1931. Issued to Rollin Reeves for forty shares in 1932. Signed by President Grover G. Hurt and Secretary W. A. Osterbrook. Uncancelled. Blue border and underprint. 8-1/4 x 12. Printer - Schwabacher-Frey, S.F. This cannery was probably begun to take advantage of the agricultural environment in the area. Farm products could be brought from local sources and quickly processed, minimizing risk of spoilage. Nearby rail, highway and seaport service assured cheap and easy shipping to various metropolitan outlets. Folds, minor yellowing at edges, extremely fine. Est. $25-50
NAPA COUNTY

440. Napa. Oat Hill. Acme Mines & Mill, Inc. Incorporated in Nevada in 1926. Issued to D. J. Lyons for 1000 shares in 1928. Signed by Secretary B. C. Austin. W. E. Mooser signed as President. Green border. 8 x 11. Printer - Goes. The Oat Hill district was Napa County's largest mercury producer and was active until WWII. The company later acquired the Greenhorn mine at French Gulch, Shasta County. It also had holdings n the Chisna district in Alaska. Minor brown spots at bottom, very fine. Est. $25-50

441. Napa. Autograph. Jacob Beringer. Napa and Sonoma Wine Company. Incorporated in 1872 in California. Unissued. Datelined St. Helena, 187- x. Signed by Secretary Jac(ob) Beringer. Large "X" drawn through middle of certificate. Two vignettes; one at left side of two allegorical women harvesting wheat, the other top center of a cluster of grapes with vine and leaves. Black border on white paper. 5-1/4 x 9-3/4. Printer not noted. Jacob Beringer was one of the founders of Beringer Bros. winery. He had experience gained in Germany, France and New York where he and his brother emigrated in the early 1860's. He went to California in 1869 and began working for Charles Krug as winery foreman. While working for Krug, he saved money and purchased 160 acres in 1875 near St. Helena. He quit Krug in 1877 and, enlisting the aid of his brother Frederick, named their vineyard Los Hermanos "The Brothers". The company operated through 1971 when it sold to the Nestle company of Switzerland. The vineyard is now owned by a French family. (Teiser & Harroun, 1983, Winemaking in California, McGraw-Hill, p. 85) Slight yellowing at top edge, extremely fine. Est. $300-500

442. Napa. St Helena. Robert Mondavi Corporation. Incorporated in California in 1981. Specimen certificate. Corporate signatures printed on certificate. Hole punched and "Specimen" rubber stamped. Vignette/underprint at center of entrance to the winery. Green border and underprint on white paper. 8 x 12. Printer - ABN. The company, whose vineyards are located in Napa Valley, is a joint venture with Baron Phillippe de Rothschild, the producer of the Opus One wines. Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

NEVADA COUNTY

Nevada. Native Sons of the Golden West. Please see the extensive NSGW section following the California section, which includes entries from Nevada County.

443. Nevada. The Birdseye Creek Gold Mining Co., Ltd. A British company incorporated in 1871. Issued to John Dinemock for one share. Signed by directors R. Ward and J.E Bowe and Secretary N. Harington. Green print on vanilla paper. Located between Greenhorn Creek and Bear River on the "Great Blue Lead". Operated a hydraulic mine on Hunt's Hill. In early times was called Gouge-eye. (Raymond, 1872, p.69) Stamped "liquidation" across middle, otherwise very fine. Est. $150-300

444. Nevada. Crystal Lake Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1900. Issued to Henry W. Farnum for 1000 shares in 1900(?). Signed by President E. A. C. Ash and Secretary Matt C. Carlton. Uncancelled. Vignette of several miners working underground. Six other vignettes of single miners at corners and sides in border. Black border with green underprint, gold seal; 50 cent purple documentary stamp on left end. 8-1/4 x 10-1/2. Printer - Goes. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Gudde states that Crystal Lake is in Nevada County. Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

445. Nevada. Eagle Bird MC Check. Citizens Bank, Nevada City, unissued. Very fine. Est. $10-25

446. Nevada. Golden State Mining and Development Co. Incorporated in California in 1907. Issued to D. V. Norton for 100 shares in 1909. Signed by President A. L. Segelhorst and Secretary E. C. Shebley. Uncancelled. Vignette top center of mining operations, headframe, railroad, mill buildings waste dumps. Black border with gold underprint and seal. 8-1/2 x 10-1/2. No printer noted. Datelined Chicago Park. Chicago Park was the name of the station of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railway. No other information was found within our library concerning this company. Folds, tears at folds at bottom edge. Very fine. Est. $25-50
447. Nevada. Ice Harvest for P.F.E. Photographs at Donner Pond, c.1909. Lot of 5. (1) Approximately 15 men are standing around Donner Pond harvesting chunks of ice, formed in rectangular units surrounding the pond. Company plant in background. Very clear and in great condition, with only minor discoloration at very top edge. White and green matting. 11 x 14. (2) Eight men in the foreground are grabbing at ice blocks with long poles with wicked hooks at the ends. In the background is a man walking away with a horse or mule. Company plant in immediate background. Extremely fine. Mounted on black and matted with white and gray matting. 11 x 14. (3) This photo is taken from the same view as the previous, but in this one most of the ice has been harvested, and is being fed onto an elevator, leading into the plant, for storage. Worker J. Jurgens is in the immediate foreground, along with another fellow in the immediate background. Extremely fine. 11 x 14. (4) Picture of frozen pond before harvest. Several horses pulling saws down the ice for breakage. Other men and plant in background. Very fine. 11 x 14. Est. $300-600

448. Nevada. Nevada City, Grass Valley Checks. Lot of 4 pcs. Maryland Gold MC, Grass Valley, 1893; Idaho Quartz NC, Grass Valley, 1893; Nevada City Branch of the Nevada County Bank, unissued; P. A. Lamping & Co, Downieville, unissued. Very fine. Est. $15-30

449. Nevada. Boca. Bronco. Peoples Ice Co. Incorporated in California in 1875. Issued to Wm. McGinniss for 20 shares in 1876. Signed by President John Castin and Secretary Jno. P. Sneeley. Uncancelled. Vignette upper left corner of Steam train and two small buildings with ramps leading to water's edge on lake. Black border and print on vanilla paper. 4-1/4 x 9. Printer - G. T. Brown & Co., S.F. During the era this certificate was issued, ice was harvested in the winter from frozen lakes and rivers. The ice was cut into blocks with hand saws and transported to "Ice Houses" where it was stored until ready for use. Coarse sawdust from local lumber mills was used to pack the ice, keeping the blocks separated and insulated. The vignette on this certificate probably shows a typical ice plant where ice could be skidded up the ramps directly into storage. Rail service provided transportation of the product to storage facilities in population centers where it was sold for domestic use before electric refrigerators became available. Numerous ice companies were located at Boca and along the Truckee River near Truckee. The People's Ice Co. got ice from a series of ponds at Bronco, downstream of Boca. They were in business at least twelve years, and are listed regularly in local directories. The printer, G. T. Brown, was the first African-American artist on the west coast, and became famous for his beautiful lithographs of various western towns that are very valuable today. [ref: McKenney, 1886] Folds and wrinkles, dirty from handling. Fine. Est. $100-300

450. Nevada. Cherokee. Badger Hill Quartz Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1893. Issued to F. M. Wood for 49 shares in 1894. Signed by President W. T. Thomas and Secretary Chas. J. Paine. Uncancelled. Vignette on left side of mill buildings. Black border on white paper. 5-1/2 x 9-1/2. Printer not noted. Property was located 1 mile S.E. of Cherokee. It was mostly a hydraulic mine, but an 18 inch quartz vein was uncovered in "The English Workings" and a 100 ft shaft was sunk with drifts both directions on the vein. Hoisting plant was run by 150 ft head of water on a 4 ft. Pelton wheel. Folds, extremely fine. [ref: Mac Boyle 1918, Mines Handbooks]. Est. $100-200

451. Nevada. Damascus. Silver Pick Consolidated Mines Co. Incorporated in Nevada in 1911. Correspondence. Two typewritten, unsigned letters to the board of Directors and to stockholders regarding acquisition of the Golden Rule placer mine. Accompanying map shows location of the Golden Rule relative to other producing districts in the Gold Run - Dutch Flat area of Nevada County. This company also had property at Goldfield and in the Gold Mountain district in Esmeralda County, and in Lyon County, NV. (Mines Handbook, 1931). Est. $25-50
452. Nevada. Deadman's Flat. California Mining Corporation. Incorporated in Connecticut in about 1902. Issued to Frank Spencer Lewis for $5000 in 1902. Signed by President E. V. Douglas and Secretary F. S. Lewis. Black border on yellow paper. 8x 11. No printer noted. Includes due bill and typewritten letter to Lewis from himself regarding enclosed due bill for interest on the $5000 payment he made. This is probably the predecessor of the California Mines Co of Grass Valley that produced gold in spurts between 1875-91. (MacBoyle). Small tears at fold, minor checking at edges, tear 2/3 width of document on right side repaired with scotch tape which has stained the front, good. Est. $25-50

453. Nevada. Grass Valley. Brunswick Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in Kentucky in 1888. Issued to H. K. Lee for 100 shares in 1890. Signed by John J. Halpin President; Secretary signature is illegible. Uncancelled. Very tiny vignette of two formally dressed men shaking hands. Black border on pale yellow paper. 5-3/4 x 10. Printer - Martin B. Brown, NY. The company was reorganized under the Brunswick Consolidated Gold Mining Co. in 1890. The property was located on the Mother Lode at Grass Valley and consisted of auriferous quartz in schist and slates. Ore was accessed by a 1250 ft vertical shaft and a 1100 ft decline. Total production between 1893 and 1917 was $1.58 million.(ref. Weed, 1918) Slight yellowing at top edge, extremely fine. Est. $25-75

454. Nevada. Grass Valley. Brunswick Consolidated Gold Mining Co. Lot of 2. Incorporated in 1890. Issued to J. Stadtfeld, Trustee for 1000 shares in 1909. Certificate number A940. The second is certificate number 3777. Incorporated in Kentucky in 1886. Issued to Thomas Wallace for 100 shares in 1889. Signed by President J. McPew and Secretary J. Stadtfeld. Uncancelled. Small vignette of the California State seal top center. Black border. 5 x 10. Printer - Britton & Rey, S.F. The Brunswick Consolidated Mine was a gold quartz mine located near Grass Valley. The vein averaged about 2 ft in width in bunches and short shoots, with the quartz in ribbon structure and containing a good percentage of sulphurets. It was developed by an 800 ft, three-compartment shaft and a number of levels of workings. Power was supplied by a Pelton wheel. The mine was timbered with sawed timbers and planks. It was a wet mine and an 8 inch Cornish pump was operated year round. (12th and 13th Reports of the State Mineralogist, Calif. State Mining Bureau, pgs. 186 and 237P. Purple ink bleed through from other documents, very fine. Est. $25-50.

455. Nevada. Grass Valley. Helvetia and Lafayette Gold Mining Co., Grass Valley, Nevada Co., Cal. Issued to George Montgomery for ten shares in July, 1855, signed by Carville Conway as president and Frank Squire as secretary. Signed by Montgomery on the back. Uncancelled. Two allegorical vignettes at left and top center. Printed by Butler, San Francisco. We have not seen another of these. The Company is named for two very early gold discovery localities Helvetia and Lafayette Hills. These two hills later became famous for the North Star (and later Empire) Mine, two of the richest in California history, with more than $50 million mines by 1900, and perhaps double that afterwards. They are about 2 miles southwest of Grass Valley.
Lode gold was discovered at Grass Valley on Gold Hill in June, 1850. By October, the lodes at Helvetia and Lafayette hills were discovered. The quartz mills built during the initial period of mining were a disaster, and generally kept away development capital. The early claims were only 30 x 40 feet. The Empire and North Star mines purchased many of these tiny claims, including those of this company. The Empire Co. was incorporated in 1854, which undoubtedly led to the incorporation of this company, a neighbor, about the same time. This company was the original North Star Mine.
Errol MacBoyle relates the importance of this company in his important work Mines and Mineral Resources of Nevada County, 1919: "The North Star vein was discovered by the Lavance Brothers in the fall of 1851. A number of claims 100 feet square were located by different men and these, a few years later, were consolidated as the Helvetia and Lafayette Gold Mining Co. This group of claims controlled 480 feet along the apex of the vein…In the hanging wall of the Helvetia and Lafayette mine a group of claims had been located known as the North Star. In 1858 the Helvetia and Lafayette mine was sold at sheriff sale for $8000…" Within three years, significant gold was found on the property, and history was made. Neither Montgomery or Conway would later appear in Nevada County events. This certificate has particular importance because it is the predecessor to the famous North Star and Empire mines. Very fine. [ref: MacBoyle, Bancroft, Gudde] Est. $1000-2000

456. Nevada. Grass Valley. Idaho Maryland Mines Corporation. Incorporated in Nevada in 1935. Issued to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Beane for 100 shares in 1953. Certificate number C30292. Signed by President Albert Crouse and Secretary J Allan. Cancelled. Vignette of bald eagle perched on rocky crag. Orange border, underprint and seal. 8 x 12. Printer - E. A. Wright Bank Note Co., Phila. A consolidation of the Idaho Maryland Mines Co. and Idaho Maryland Consolidated Mines, Inc. . Property consists of the Idaho-Maryland, Eureka, South Idaho, Gold Point and Union Hills mines, covering 2 miles of the Idaho Gold Point gold system near Grass Valley. Mines on these properties have been actively mined since the 1860's. Total production between then and 1924 amounted to $21 million in gold (Ref. Mines Handbook, 1931). Very fine. Est. $25-50.
457. Nevada. Grass Valley. Idaho Maryland Consolidated Mines, Inc. Lot of 3 certificates. Incorporated in 1925 in Nevada. Issued to Dean Witter & Co. for 40 shares in 1933. Signed by vice President T. W. M. McCoy and Secretary F. Ellesimore. Cancelled by rubber stamp and hole punches through signatures. Green border and underprint. 9 x 12-1/2. Is the holding company controlling the Idaho Maryland Mines Co. and the Brunswick Consolidated Gold Mining Co. Property consists of the Idaho-Maryland, Eureka, South Idaho, Gold Point and Union Hills mines, covering 2 miles of the Idaho Gold Point gold system near Grass Valley. Mines on these properties have been actively mined since the 1860's. Total production between then and 1924 amounted to $21 million in gold (Ref. Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 585). Extremely fine. Est. $30-50

458. Nevada. Grass Valley. Idaho-Maryland Development Co. Check made out to E. M. Taylor for $48.22 in 1906, drawn against account at the Citizens Bank, Grass Valley, Cal.. Signed by general manager B. Wilkins. Orange vignette in center of mill buildings printed as an RN facsimile. 3-1/2 x 8-1/4. No printer noted. The Idaho-Maryland mine, located about a mile northeast of Grass Valley, had been in operation since at least the 1880's. The mine was called the Idaho, the Maryland Idaho and other names prior to about 1919. In that year, the Idaho-Maryland Mines Co. was incorporated and carried on production from this and other mines in the district. Some smudges and staining at edges, very fine. Rare. Est. $15-25

459. Nevada. Grass Valley. Imperial Consol. MC, incorporated in California in 1882, issued 1882 to L. Upson for 400 shares signed by John Glasson as president and Thos. Mitchell as secretary. No vignette. Printed by Crocker, SF. 4 x 9", uncancelled. The Imperial was on Deer Creek, the main waterway through Grass Valley-Nevada City. It was an earlier discovery, but had little production until this venture pumped in some money for exploration. They drove a 280 foot incline and about 700 feet of drift along the quartz vein which was mineralized with galena, a silver carrying mineral. They also erected a 10 stamp mill before any ore was blocked out. Later work unknown, but probably minimal. [ref: Burchard, 1885] Est. $100-200

460. Nevada. Grass Valley. Le Duc Gold Mining Co. Report on the company's property by P. A. Penhall, Mining Engineer, 1923. Also includes a brief history of production of mines in the Grass Valley area. The company was organized in 1908 and incorporated in 1917 in Nevada to mine a lava-capped gravel channel under about 1/2 of their 122 acres of claims. The other half covered auriferous quartz veins. The company spent about $60,000 drifting 3400 ft through bedrock to the gravel channel and on two veins without disclosing any paying ore. Discontinued operations about 1922 because it felt administration of the Blue Sky Law had been unfair in its case. (Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 597). Est. $50-100

461. Nevada. Grass Valley. Map of the Vicinity of Grass Valley and Nevada City, compiled from the map of Chas E. Uren, CE. Scale, 4" = 1 mile. 19 x 24". Various mining claim groups are colored. Included are the Empire Group, Idaho Maryland, Pittsburgh, Champion, Banner Mountain Brunswick and others. Folds, clean, mint. Circa 1910. Est. $50-100

462. Nevada. Grass Valley. Nevada County Development and Improvement Co. Incorporated in 1889 in California. Issued to E. J. deSabla Jr. for 50 shares in 1893. Signed by President E. J. deSabla and Secretary J. Mathias Jr. Uncancelled. Black border. 5-1/2 x 10. Printer - Dutton & Partridge, S.F. this company apparently did not have any operating mines as they are not listed in the Twelfth Report of the State Mineralogist for two years ending 1894. There is a Nevada County Reduction Works listed in the 13th report that may be related. We have no other information on the company. Extremely fine. Rare. Est. $100-200

463. Nevada. Grass Valley. Nevada County Lead and Zinc Mines Co. Incorporated in California in 1929. Unissued. Gold border, underprint and seal. 8-1/4 x 11. Printer - Goes & A. Carlisle & Co. S.F. The company took an option on 700 acres of patented ground in western Nevada County. Prospect was in a contact fissure vein carrying $4 gold, 2 oz silver per ton with 1 - 6% lead, 2.4% copper and 2 to 5% zinc. Orebodies were 5 to 50 ft in width. 1931 Mines Handbook reported this was "apparently an undeveloped prospect." Extremely fine. Est. $10-20
464. Nevada. Grass Valley. New York-Grass Valley Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in Arizona in 1902. Issued to Aaron B. Robinson for 200 shares in 1903. Certificate number 645. Signed by President Geo. W. Root (see also Root's association with the Prudential Gold Mining Co.) and Treasurer J. M. Heisner. Uncancelled. No vignette or border; black print on vanilla paper with red seal. 8 x 10. Printer - L. M. Faire, N.Y. In 1903 this company built a three-stamp mill on the property. (E&MJ, v. 76, # 18, p. 8672). Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

465. Nevada. Grass Valley. New York-Grass Valley Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in Arizona in 1902. Issued to Aaron B. Robinson for 200 shares in 1902. Certificate number 102. Signed by President Geo. W. Root (see also Root's association with the Prudential Gold Mining Co.) and Treasurer J. M. Heisner. Uncancelled. No vignette or border; black print on vanilla paper with red seal. 8 x 10. Printer - L. M. Faire, N.Y. In 1903 this company built a three-stamp mill on the property (E&MJ, v. 76, # 18, p. 8672). Very fine. Est. $25-50

466. Nevada. Grass Valley. Prudential Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1907. Issued to Frank Parsalucyua (?) for 52 shares in 1908. Certificate number 628. Datelined San Francisco. Signed by President Geo. W. Burnett and Secretary Edwin Fernald. Uncancelled. Vignette of bald eagle perched on rocky crag. Green border, underprint and seal. 8 x 10. Printer not noted. In 1924 mail was returned unclaimed from address of G. W. Root, owner. (see also Root as President of New York-Grass Valley Mining Co.) The property consisted of patented ground, 4 miles from Grass Valley and had been worked intermittently for many years. (Mines Handbook, 1925, p. 610.). Torn and taped at folds, tape has made dark stains, some yellowing at edges, good. Est. $25-50.

467. Nevada. Grass Valley. Scadden Flat GMC. Incorporated in California in 1878. Issued to Geo. Johnson for 100 shares in 1878. Certificate number 164. Datelined Grass Valley. Signed by President Henry Scadden and Secretary A. B. Brady. Uncancelled. Small vignette at left of California state seal. Black border and print on vanilla paper. 4 x 10. Printer not noted. Henry Scadden discovered gold in 1860 and gave the namesake of the company and the mining camp. Extremely fine. Est. $100-200.

468. Nevada. Grass Valley. South Idaho Consolidated Mining & Milling Co. Incorporated in California in 1892. Issued to R. J. Fitzgerald for 10 shares in 1896. Certificate number 291. Datelined Grass Valley. Signed by President James McCanna and Secretary W. J. Rogers. Uncancelled. Black border on vanilla paper. 4 x 9. Printer - J. C. Irvine, S.F. The South Idaho mine was located 1 mile E. of Grass Valley. It covered 2300 ft of the vein and was developed by a 100 ft shaft and several cross-cuts. The ore reportedly carried 4% sulphurets. Hoisting was accomplished with a horse-whim. 13th Report of the State Mineralogist, 1896, Calif. State Mining Bureau, p. 264.) Slight browning and checking at bottom edge, very fine. Est. $50-100.

469. Nevada Co. Grass Valley. South Idaho Consol. M&M Co., incorporated in California 1892, issued 1896 to Thos. Crase for 70 shares, signed by James McCanna as president and W. J. Rogers as secretary. J. C. Irvine, printer, SF (for more on Irvine, please see the Native Sons of the Golden West Medal section). No vignette, 4 x 9", cancelled written in red ink across face. The South Idaho was a good gold mine in Grass Valley. It became part of the Maryland group, located in 1851. [Logan] Est. $50-75

470. Nevada. Grass Valley. Syndicate Mining Co. Assessment Receipt issued to T. R. Hofer for the received sum of $32.50 in 1886. Signed by Secretary J. Stadtfeld, Jr. Plain black, double lined border and ornate scrollwork at left end. 4 x 7-1/2. Printer - A. J. Leary, S.F. The printed word "Syndicate" has been lined out and the word "Dudley" written above it. Evidently the low budget company changed names prior to the issue of this receipt. This was probably the Syndicate Mine located 2-1/2 miles south of Grass Valley and comprised of the Golden Chain, Great Eastern and the New Idea claims. This was a quartz mine and the three claims covered 53 acres and at least two veins. (Calif. State Mineralogist, 13th Report, 1896, p.265.) Small, 1/8th inch, ragged hole in center, minor stain lower left edge, very fine. Est. $10-20
471. Nevada. Grass Valley. Union Hill Mines. Inc. in CA, 1914. Issued to R. J. Montgomery for 300 shares in 1915. Signed by Pres J. Johnson and Sec. (Illegible). Cancelled by 9 rubber stamps in purple ink. Vignette of bald eagle on rock crag. Blue border and underprint. 8 x 11-1/2. Printer not noted. The property consisted of 150 acres and controlled 2800 ft along the Union Hill, Georgia, Greek and Lucky-Cambridge veins. Production of free milling gold and scheelite (tungsten) was made from all these veins. Ore was developed on several levels from a 1400 ft inclined shaft. The company produced $3000 to $5000 per month in gold. By 1920 the company was disincorporated and taken over by Idaho-Maryland Mines Co. Mines Handbooks; 1918, p. 604; 1920, p. 490.) Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

472. Nevada. Grizzly Ridge. Grizzly Ridge Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1892. Issued to Mrs. Sarah Giles for 500 shares in 1892. Signed by President Peter McAuslan and by Secretary Benj. Hall. Uncancelled. Crude vignette of grizzly bear top center. Black border on vanilla paper. 4 x 9-1/2. Printer not noted. The mine was operated as a hydraulic mine from 1886 to 1894, when hydraulic mining was outlawed. It was reopened in the early 1900's as an underground mine. [ref: Mac Boyle 1918] Extremely fine. Est. $100-300

473. Nevada. Lowell Hill. Planet Consolidated Drift Gravel Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1884. Issued to Sara Giles for 100 shares in 1903. Signed by President Chas. W. Kitts and Secretary Wm. George Jr. Uncancelled. Vignette of rugged canyon with hydraulic and underground miners. Black border on white paper. 4 x 9. Printer - Crocker's Print, Sacramento. The Planet was in the Lowell Hill district, which was probably absorbed by another district later. Nearby mines were the Lowell MC, East New York MC, both of whom had 100 men working between them. The Planet was inactive by 1885, and probably failed or was absorbed into another company. [ref: Burchard 1883] Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

474. Nevada. Nevada. North Banner Con. Tunnel Co. Incorporated in California in 1883. Issued to Wm. Ferman for 3125 shares in 1883. Signed by President Wm Ferman and Secretary Frank Power. "Cancelled" written in red ink across face. Vignette at left edge of valley with flume to overshot wheel on mill. Black border on yellow paper. 4 x 9-1/2. Printer - Bancroft, S. F. Company operated the North Banner mine located on Little Deer Creek near Nevada City. Developed on 3 ft vein. Ore was said to be free milling and yielded about $10 per ton in gold. Worked by lessees in 1894. By 1896 the ownership changed and the mine was being pumped out after standing idle for a period of time. (12th & 13th Reports of the State Mineralogist, Calif. State Mining Bureau, p. 421-22 & p. 257 respectively) Extremely fine. Est. $100-200

475. Nevada. Nevada City. Gold Tunnel Mining Co. Incorporated in Arizona in 1902. Issued to S. W. Park for 500 shares in 1903. Signed by President Henry B. Sieganauer and Secretary A. H. King. Uncancelled. Two vignettes: upper left of four miners in glory hole loading two mule drawn ore cars; upper right, one of four miners shouting to hoistman to raise loaded ore bucket. Green border and underprint. 7-3/4 x 11. Printer - New York Bank Note Co. This was the first quartz mine in Nevada County, according to Mac Boyle, 1919. It was in production from 1850 to 1875, and intermittently thereafter. It was purchased be the California Consolidated group. Brown water stain along top edge and one fold. Very fine. Est. $50-150

476. Nevada. Nevada City. Nevada City Hardware Co. Incorporated in California in 1908. Issued to F. W. Powell for 10 shares in 1908. Signed by President C. R. Murchie and Secretary Alice E. Cooper. Cancelled written through signatures and on face (these have bled from exposure to water.) No vignette, cloud pattern behind masthead. Black border on vanilla paper. 5-1/2 x 10-1/4. Printer - A. Carlisle, S.F. Nevada. Clarence R. Murchie was the grandson of John C. Murchie who opened and developed the old Murchie gold mine at Nevada City in the early 1850's. Clarence had worked for George Turner, since 1850 a pioneer in the hardware business, and eventually bought him out in 1908. He and his wife, Annie became prominent among the leaders in commercial and financial circles in Nevada City (Ref. Lardner & Brock, History of Placer and Nevada Counties, p 680). Water stains throughout, brown stain top edge, good. Est. $50-100

477. Nevada. Nevada City. Pioneer Reduction Company. Incorporated in California in 1893. Unissued. Black border and print on white paper. 4 x 9-1/2. Printer - Crocker & Co., Sacramento. The Pioneer Reduction Co.'s work were located 3/4 mile south of Nevada City. The works comprised a chlorination plant, a matte furnace and pulverizer. The furnace had an inside dimension of 9-1/2 x 14 feet and burned petroleum with superheated steam. Daily capacity was 12 to 15 tons ore producing a ton of matte per day. (Calif. State Mineralogist, 13th Rpt., 1896, p. 260). Est. $10-30
478. Nevada. Nevada City. Sherman Consolidated Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1882. Issued to Samuel Clutter for 300 shares in 1882. Signed by President J. J. Jackson and Secretary D. E. Morgan. Uncancelled. Small vignette of California state seal top center. Black border. 4-1/4 x 9-1/2. Printer - Pacific Press Print, Oakland. The Sherman was next to the Banner. In 1882 a shaft was sunk to 150 feet, but only low grade ore was found (about 0.1 oz/t) and the hoist and mill were dismantled and sold. [ref: Burchard 1883] Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

479. Nevada. North Bloomfield. Mount Blanc Consolidated Gravel Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1878. Unissued. Small vignette on right end of portal to a mine with ore cart and freight wagon. Black border and print on yellow paper. 5-1/4 x 10. Printer A. L. Bancroft & Co. This was a placer mining company with offices in Grass Valley run by Frenchmen. The North Bloomfield district hosted a number of drift gravel mines, the most notable of which was the North Bloomfield Mine. That company began operations in 1876 and by 1884 had produced over $2 million in gold. Production continued well into the 1890's. No mention is made of the Mount Blanc Co. in the 1888, 1894 or 1896 volumes of the Report of the State Mineralogist. Upper right corner creased, very minor yellowing at edges, very fine. Est. $15-30

480. Nevada. Selby Hill. Selby Hill Mining Co. Incorporated in 1875 in California. Issued to H. H. Pearson for 100 shares in 1878. Signed by President H. H. Pearson and Secretary H. Aug. Whiting. Uncancelled. Black border on vanilla paper. 5 x 9. Printer - G. T. Brown & Co. SF. The property was located one mile north of Nevada City and was probably named for Thomas Selby, a San Francisco merchant who was a metals dealer in the 1850's and began a smelting and refining business in 1875. (Gudde, 1975, California Gold Camps, p. 315) Minor stains at edges, tears at fold, very fine. Est. $150-250

481. Nevada. Tahoe. Cal-Neva Thermometer. White with black lettering. Club Cal-Neva / In Reno / picture of pine cones on branches / At Lake Tahoe / Cal-Neva Lodge. Dirty. A hole at the top and bottom for mounting. 2 1/2 x 6 1/2. Est. $25-50

Nevada. Tahoe. Please see NSGW section for two Nevada County badges from this area.

482. No Lot.

483. Nevada. Tahoe. Photo (postcard) of Emerald Bay. Original photograph (postcard without printing on the back) by Harwood, c.1933. 3.5 x 11. Some dirt and minor folds. Worn at corners. Fine. Est. $25-50

484. Nevada. Truckee. Colorized real photo postcard. "Spring View, Truckee Cal." Taken from nearby hill, view shows numerous buildings, horse drawn vehicles and steam train at depot in background. Handwritten message on back to Reno, NV recipient. Postmarked 1910 with green one cent US postage stamp. Truckee came into existence when the Central Pacific RR surveyed a route across the pass in 1863-64. For a number of years it served as a lumber center and boasted several sawmills. Slight staining at top edge. Very fine. Est. $25-50

485. Nevada. Truckee. Truckee Trade Token. W. McDonald/Truckee// GF 5c/IT. Round, 21 mm, wm, center hole as made. Pitted obverse. Rare. Est. $15-25

486. Nevada. Washington. Spanish Ridge Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1903. Issued to Wm. B. Hamilton for 1000 shares in 1905. Signed by President F. M. Egan and Secretary Chas. A. Bliss. Uncancelled. No vignettes. Black border with cloud pattern behind masthead. 5-1/2 x 9-3/4. Printer not noted. Spanish Ridge is three miles north of Washington. The quartz gold deposits were discovered here in 1888 and were considered low grade. Most of the companies there were all small producers. [ref: Gudde] Folds, extremely fine. Est. $25-50
487. Nevada. Willow Valley. Deadwood Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1877. Issued to Wm. R. Knights for 500 shares in 1879. Certificate number 323. Datelined Nevada City, Cal. Signed by President Geo. E. Turner and Secretary R. B. Symington. Uncancelled. No vignette. Black border. 4-1/4 x 9-1/2. No printer noted. The only reference we could locate on Deadwood was in the State Mineralogists report of 1888 (p 452.) This report lists only the St. Luis mine operating in the Willow Valley District, but that 3 tons of ore from this mine had been processed in the Deadwood Mill. Possibly the Deadwood Gold Mining Co. constructed a mill in anticipation of developing ore on its property, but when it failed to do so, resorted to custom milling for other, more successful mines. Extremely fine. This certificate is fairly common, thus the lower estimate. The Western States 100 Mile Trail Run and the Tevis Cup 100 Endurance Horse Race goes through here. Est. $75-150

488. Nevada. Willow Valley. Deadwood Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in California in 1877. Issued to Miss Lucy R. Bobo for 300 shares in 1879. Signed by President Geo E. Turner and Secretary R. B. Symington. Uncancelled. No vignette. Black border. 4-1/4 x 9-1/2. No printer noted. Please see above for story. Light brown discoloration on left end, very fine. Fairly common certificate, thus the lower estimate. Est. $75-150