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COLORADO PART 14: Teller County Part 6: Cripple Creek - Victor, V-W, Remaining Teller Items (Not Cripple Creek)

Teller. Cripple Creek. VICTOR
The town of Victor was founded by brothers Harry E. and Frank Woods who named the town after Victor C. Adams. Adams was the original homesteader of property that was platted for the Lawrence townsite by M. S. Raynolds on January 4, 1892. J. R. McKinnie, who owned the Mount Rosa Placer group of claims up-slope from the homestead, took note of this activity, and seeing potential for profit, shifted the location of his claim group down-slope, abutting the Lawrence, to take advantage of ground more favorable for development. The following year, the Woods brothers purchased the 136-acre Mount Rosa Placer tract from J. R. McKinnie for $1,000 and laid out the townsite on it. Victor grew rapidly because of its proximity to many of the mines, and by 1900 was the fourth largest city in Colorado. (Sprague, pp. 117, 118, 165)

2615. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor Chamber of Commerce. Sign and membership cards. Sign reads "Participating Member/ Victor/ Chamber of Commerce/ 'City of Mines' " 5.5 x 8.5". Two Victor - "City of Mines" Improvement Association Membership Card, never issued, but the year ending is noted. 2 x 3.5". All three pieces are very fine. Est. $25-50

2616. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor Check Collection. Lot of 6 pcs. Bank of Victor, Victor, unused; Bank of Victor, Victor, 1910; Citizens Bank, Victor, 1919; Bank of Victor, Victor, 1918; Bank of Victor, Victor, unused; City of Victor, Victor, 1915. All very fine. Est. $25-50

2617. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor, Colo. & High School Archive. 99 pieces. Ranging from correspondence between Francis Clark and "Nancy", a high school memory book, and photographs, to over 30 newspaper clippings, and a county fair program. Some of the correspondence between Francis and Nancy describes the "scandal" at Victor High. A matinee program features an acting company and show, "the Honeymoon". All are circa 1920 and in varying condition. Est. $75-150

2618. Teller. Victor. Mrs. Victor C. Adams. Four calling cards. Black script print on white card stock. 2 x 3. Victor C. Adams was the original homesteader of property that was platted for the Lawrence townsite by M. S. Raynolds on January 4, 1892. J. R. McKinnie, who owned the Mount Rosa Placer group of claims up-slope from the homestead, took note of this activity and seeing potential for profit, shifted the location of his claim group down-slope, abutting the Lawrence, to take advantage of ground more favorable for development. Like dominoes, owners of adjacent claims upslope from the Mount Rosa also perceived an opportunity and shifted their locations, covering former Mount Rosa ground. In so doing, they inadvertently opened a fraction of ground that was soon staked by J. Burns and J. Doyle and named the Portland. The Portland mine came to be the largest producer at Cripple Creek, grossing more than $60 million. In 1893 McKinnie sold the Mount Rosa to Frank and Harry Woods who subdivided the property for a townsite they named Victor after Mr. Adams (see biographical sketches on McKinnie and the Woods family at the beginning of the Cripple Creek section) (Sprague, pp. 117, 118, 165). Very fine. Est. $100-200

2619. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Gold Mining and Milling Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to H. C. Rider for 5,000 shares in 1896. Certificate number 271. Datelined Colorado Springs. Signed by Vice-President Chas. R. Clemenson and Secretary A. T. McDill. Uncancelled. Fancy masthead of two griffins and floral arrangement. Green border and underprint. 8 x 10. Printer not noted. The Victor mine was located on Bull Hill. The company owned four claims totaling about 18 acres. In 1900, several veins were being worked. Gross production to that date was about $2-1/4 million. The main shaft was 1000 ft deep and had 14 levels. Ore reportedly was exhausted shortly after 1900 although the mine was leased on occasion after that date. (Hills, p. 473; MH, 1916, p. 1190). Staining and wear to folds. Fine. Est. $75-150
2620. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Mines and Land Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Horace S. Worthen for 500 shares in 1906. Certificate number 618. Datelined Colorado Springs. Signed by President Warren Woods and Secretary F. M. Woods. (see biographical sketch of the Woods family at the beginning of the Cripple Creek section). Uncancelled. Vignette top center of 6 miners working underground. Green border, underprint and seal. 7 x 11. Printer - Outwest Prt'g & Staty Co., Colorado Springs. See Woods Investment Company above for historical sketch. The Woods brothers made much of their fortunes in real estate and this company was one of more than 35 businesses that contributed to their wealth. (Levine, p. 20-22). Tears and wear with staining along folds. Professional tape repairs on folds. Fine. Est. $100-200

2621. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Advertising Collectibles, Two Items. An ornate clip, "C.G. Gorman Clothing / Company / Victor, Colo.", 2 1/4 x .06". Also a shoe horn, "C.G. Gormon Clo. Co. / Victor, Colo." 3.2" long. Circa 1905-1910. Est. $50-75

2622. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Advertising Wallet. "Compliments of / The Victor Mines Supply & Hardware Co. / Victor, Colorado / Phone 595." 3 x 6", folded. Leather. Gilt lettering. Very fine. C1900-1910. Est. $25-50.

2623. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Amber Inn. Located in Victor, paper token for bar service. Never issued or paid. No date. Appears that purchaser could pay a certain amount and his credit would be marked accordingly in the margins. Very fine. 2 x 3.5". Est. $25-50

2624. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Bank of Victor. Incorporated in Colorado in 1897. Certificate number 26 issued to Grace Campbell West for 1 share in 1914. Signed by President J. W. and Secretary (illegible). Cancelled by two triangular cuts into signatures from bottom edge. Vignette of bald eagle perched on shield with Indian tepees, steam train and town in background. Brown border and underprint. 8 x 11. Printer not noted. Est. $ 75-150

2625. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Bank of Victor. Incorporated in Colorado in 1897. Two certificates: number 3 issued to A. A. Rallestone for 1 share in 1897 and number 4 issued to F. G. Moffat in 1911. Corporate signatures obscured by triangular cancellation cutouts from bottom edge. Vignette of bald eagle perched on. Black border with green underprint. 8 x 11. Printer not noted. The fact that these two consecutively numbered certificates were sold 14 years apart suggests that originally there were only three shareholders in the company. Est. $150-300

2626. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Beer. Rocky Mountain Bottling Works. Crown top, amber beer bottle. "This Bottle/ Not to/ be Sold// Stolen from Rocky Mtn./ Bottling Works/ Victor, Colo. 1 in. base chip in rear, and small chip to top ring. Some outer wear, but clean. Very rare. Est.-$50-100.

2627. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Billheads and Letterheads from Victor establishments, 1900's. Lot of 21 pcs. Many such as The Rossland Hotel, the Edgecombe-Fry Co., and S. A. Hackley Furniture are either addressed to or regarding purchases made by A.E. Carlton of the First Nat'l Bank. Others, such as Providence Washington Insurance Co., The Colorado Trading & Transfer Co., and Victor Hardware record various patrons. All are very fine. 3.5 x 8" to 11 x 8.5". Est. $25-75

2628. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Goldfield Transfer Co. Can Opener. This oddball mechanical can opener made of steel is engraved with, "Goldfield Transfer Co. // Coal, Feed & Lumber / Phone Victor 229." 1" x 7". Near mint. Est. $50-100.
2629. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Handled Souvenir Beer Mug. "Victor Colorado" with 4 in. diameter bird's eye view of victor, with gold gilt border, with gilt highlighted ribs. Mug is 8 in. tall and 3" in diameter, and in mint condition. Circa 1900, without markings of maker. Est.-$300-500.

2630. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Hardware Supply Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to R. W. Stoddard for 50 shares in 1917. Certificate number 11. Datelined Victor. Signed by President M. S. Rankin and Secretary R. W. Stoddard. "Cancelled" written across face. Vignette at top left of woman holding shield, flagstaff, with eagle. Black border with gold underprint and seal. 5-1/2 x 10. Printer - Goes. This company had a store on Victor Ave. in that town (Ives, p. 341). Est. $50-150

2631. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Liquor. Advertising Mirror. Two inches in diameter, adhesive brown paper on one side reads: "Compliments of / Forch Bros. / Kentucky Whiskies / Imported Wines and Liquors for / Family Use Especially / Private Club Rooms for Ladies / Cor. 4th St. & F & C.C. Depot / Victor, Colo. / Buffalo Novelty Co. Buffalo, NY." Rare. Near mint. Est. $100-300.

2632. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Monarch Billiards Candies & Cigars. letterhead and check, both dated 1917. The letter contains the company name in the masthead, and is somewhat ambiguous. The check is a payment from the Monarch to the Citizens bank of Victor, and its ends are also unknown. Both very fine. 2.5 x 6" (chk), and 11 x 8" (ltr). Est. $25-50

2633. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Original Canvas Ore Bag. "Ajax G.M.Co., Victor, Colo" in large, black block letters. 13.5 x 21. Washed. Fine. Est. $100-200.

2634. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. S. A. Worcester, Consulting Mechanical Engineers. Label: Complements of S. A. Worcester Consulting Mechanical Engineers. Designer & Constructor of Mining Plants and Reduction Works. Appears to be on blueprint paper and was probably affixed to plans and documents and complementary items provided by the company. Has illustration of hoisting works in blueprint form. 3 x 6. This company had offices in Victor and provided technical expertise for mining companies needing engineering services during the development of their properties. (Ives, p. 348, 420). Fine. Est. $10-20

2635. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Solomon Valley Gold Mining Co. Incorporated in Colorado in 1896. Issued to C. S. McNall for 100 shares in 1896. Certificate number 209. Datelined Victor. Signed by President Webb McNall and Secretary M. E. Haslan. Uncancelled. Vignette top center of 5 miners working underground. Brown border and underprint. 8 x 10. Printer not noted. This company is listed in the incorporation list of Dunbar (1899) with offices in Victor. There a very good chance that they had their operation in the Cripple Creek District. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150

2636. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Three Bank of Victor letterheads, 1905-23. Two of the letters are on the bank's own letterhead (10.5 x 8"), and the third is addressed to the bank from American Surety Co. of NY (12 x 8"). All are in very good condition. Est. $25-50

2637. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Top o'the World Labor Day Celebration. Official Program dated 1922. 12 page booklet, stapled, 5 x 9. 12 pages with only 2 dedicated to the schedule of events, the rest are political advertisements. Left edge (staple binding) worn with pages loose at bottom corner. Top staple and binding still in good shape. Fine. Est. $20-40


2638. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Trilby Mines Co. Letter from the District Clerk's Office notifying garnishees in a case involving the Victor Hardware Co. and others vs the Trilby Mines Co. advising them that a court order had been entered dissolving the attachments and releasing the garnishees. On District Clerk's Office letterhead. The Trilby Mining Company property was located on Bull Hill. It became part of the Teutonic Consolidated Gold Mines Co. in 1899, a syndicate headed by Mollie E. O'Bryan, Charles N. Miller and others (Ives, p. 339, Hills, p. 458, Levine, p. 51.) Est. $20-40
2639. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Various Victor Billheads/Letterheads (11). Such companies as Victor Auto Co., Victor Drug Co., and Colorado Trading & Transfer Co. are featured in this lot. 3.5 x 8" to 10.5 x 8", dating from 1899 to 1920. Very Fine. Est. $50-100

2640. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Check Collection, 13 pcs. One page of three unissued checks for the Teller County Court Registry Fund on the Citizens Bank of Victor, 191x, xf. Four Citizens Bank of Victor checks, 6 1/4 x 3", 1917-19. Six different Bank of Victor checks, one with imprinted revenue in orange (this check is in poor condition as is one other of these six). Est. $50-100

2641. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Checks with Imprinted Revenue Stamps. Two rare checks, both dated 1899, Bank of Victor checks (although one has Bank of Victor crossed out with First Nat Bank handwritten in above it). Orange, type X revenues imprinted on checks. This type was used exclusively from 1899-1903. One check is XF, the other is stained, chipped and creased. Est. $25-50.

2642. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Opera House program for the Annual Junior Play. Class of 1915. Six page program that includes a synopsis of the play and the cast members. Supported by a host of advertising by local merchants. Includes restaurants, clothiers, bakers, jewelers, markets, etc. Some had phone numbers listed such as Cripple 120 or V. 55. Many encouraged the reader to prepare for "XMAS" from their stock of goods. A nice glimpse of this rural mountain community shortly after the turn of the century. The Victor Opera House, if not financed by the Woods' fortune, was probably inspired by their contributions to the community which they founded. They had funded parks, community buildings, a zoo and many other facilities for the recreational and cultural benefit of the town. In the latter part of the 19th century many mining towns boasted opera houses in which world renowned opera stars played to full houses. Between these appearances, local talent benefited from the facilities. Rust at staples in binding. Wrinkles on reverse. Minor tears in cover. Very fine. Est. $25-50

2643. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Victor Panorama. 38 x 6.5" black and white photo of Victor and surrounding area, probably taken from Inspiration Point on Big Bull Mountain. Circa 1900. Name of photographer not given. Portland Mine Works at top center, and Victor at left. Also encased in 14 x 39.5" gold-colored frame are post cards of victor, which line the bottom edge. Some staining at bottom edge matting, and some warping of photograph. Est. $500-1000.

2644. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victor. Mrs. Harry Edwin Woods An invitation to a social function of the Gold Coin Club at the Woods' home. Includes a calling card of Mrs. Victor C. Adams (see historical sketch of Adams in this section) and a third, "Please present this card at the door" permitting access to the function. The Gold Coin Club was a meeting hall in the town of Victor, financed by Winfield Stratton for his good friends Frank and Harry Woods. This function may have had something to do with that establishment or possibly the name was applied to a social group formed by Harry's wife. (Sprague, p. 226) (See historical sketch of Woods family at the beginning of the Cripple Creek section). Very fine. Est. $25-50

2645. Teller. Cripple Creek. Victoria Lode. Title Abstracts (3). c.1895. All very fine, one slightly more worn than the others. 8 x 16". See simlar lots in Titles Abstract Section. Est. $25-50

2646. Teller. Cripple Creek. Vindicator Consolidated GMC. Lot of 16 pieces. Seven letters regarding stock for the Vindicator, one signed by Adolph Zang, secretary of Cresson Consol. GMC, and addressed to A.E. Carlton; annual report and stockholders' proposal for early liquidation regarding stock payments, 1915/1925; written estimate (2pp.), c.1912; company general cost sheet for October, 1915; 3 company quarterly report, 1904; copy of the Mining Investor with headline, "Increased Work at the Vindicator Mine,"1914; billhead for abstract title in 1898. All are in excellent condition. 7 x 8.5" to 12 x 9.5". Est. $200-400. J201

2647. Teller. Cripple Creek. Vindicator Consolidated Gold Mining Co. Various documents from this and other companies such as Lillie Lode, Dew Drop Lode, and others. Total of 13 pieces from 1893 to 1929: 6 Quit Claim Deeds, 4 Warranty Deeds, 1 Mining Deed, 1 Power of Attorney Deed, 1 Original Bond & Lease, and 1 Report of the Street Supervisor. All are very fine. See similar lots in Title Absrtacts Section. Est. $50-100
2648. Teller. Cripple Creek. Vindicator Mine Confidential Report. The letter questions the company's condition, and its ability, financially, to operate the mill for future ore production. Letter is unsigned. Very fine. Est. $25-50.

2649. Teller. Cripple Creek. Vindicator, etc. Title Abstracts and Deeds for Various Lodes. Gettysburg, Vindicator, Bull City and others. c.1895-1930. Approximately 32 pieces. See similar lots in the Title Abstract Section. Est. $50-150

2650. Teller. Cripple Creek. Vindicator. Various Deeds to the Vindicator GMC. 4 warranty deeds, 3 bond and leases, and 7 quit claim deeds. 1895-1918. All are very fine. Est. $50-100

2651. Teller. Cripple Creek. Walter Lode. Title abstract and maps. The abstract dates from 1895-1896, 8.5 x 17". The two maps are c.1895, and are drawn on waxed cloth. Maps are discolored from water damage, but still in excellent condition. 12.5 x 16.5". Est. $50-75


2652. Teller. Cripple Creek. Wandry's Old Fashioned Country Circus Posters. Lot of 5. One is a site specific poster for Cripple Creek, advertising the circus in Red. Two (copies) full color litho posters of monkeys on high wire; (2 copies) color litho poster of lady with dogs doing tricks. Printed by Globe Poster Co., Chicago. Crisp color. Minor edge wear. Circa 1930-40. Est. $500-750.

2653. Teller. Cripple Creek. War Eagle Consolidated Mining Co. In the Filer II auction, we mistakenly placed this company in Colorado, Teller County, Cripple Creek District. In fact, we have discovered that this company had claims near Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho. Even we make a mistake once in awhile. This certificate is now correctly listed among our other Idaho documents. We were confused by the War Eagle Consolidated Mines Co. which is in Colorado. No lot.

2654. Teller. Cripple Creek. Wilson Creek Cons M&MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to J. W. Proudfit & Co for 1000 shares, cert #761, in 1900. Datelined Denver. Signed by W. P. Dunham as President and R. H. Reid as Secretary. Vignette of several men working underground loading ore cars. Black border. 9 X 11. Printer - Denver Lith Co. The company's claims were located around the edge of the townsite of Independence and were in litigation for several years with the Independence Town and Mining Co. over validity of the lode claims versus placer patents. Their claims included the Minnie Bell, Little Effie, Little Dessie, Little Giant and Little Orphan Boy, totaling about 7 acres (Hills, p. 487) J. W. Proudfit & Co. were bankers and brokers with offices in Colorado Springs. They issued a handbook of the mines and mining companies of Cripple Creek that we use as a reference. Folds. Very fine. Est. $50-100

2655. Teller. Cripple Creek. Wolfetone Lode. Mining deed, accompanying envelope, and title abstract. The deed is datelined 1893, and the abstract dates from 1892-99. Both are in very fine condition. 8.5 x 17"/17 x 11". Est. $25-50

2656. Teller. Cripple Creek. Yellow Gold of Cripple Creek. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to William J. Bertshy for 2250 shares, cert # 1426, in 1978. Signatures rubber stamped. Vignette of two men operating a drill underground. Orange border with black print. Cancelled by red stamp over President's name. 8 X 11. Printer Rocky Mountain Bank Note. Green smudge at lower right. Extremely fine. Printer - Rocky Mountain Bank Note. Est. $25-50
2657. Teller. Cripple Creek. Yellow Jacket Lode. Assignment Documents, 1985-1900. This lot contains five pieces: two typewritten letters dated Nov. 25, 1895, regarding an assignment of a 1/2 interest in the "Yellow Jacket" lode mining claim to Frank M. Ish (letters are only slightly different); Abstract of Title with handwritten notes; handwritten letter to First National Bank, not dated; and a cover, on which is printed information regarding consideration to be paid for $7000. Stains on typewritten letters, and cover creased, torn and stained, otherwise very fine lot. Est. $25-50

End of Cripple Creek Mining District Section

2658. Teller. Ute Pass Land & Water Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Unissued, 189x, cert #252. Vignette of mountains and a prominent valley, several trees in foreground. Black border with gold seal. Datelined Colorado Springs, Colo. Ute Park was a station on the Colorado Midland Railway in El Paso County. The Colorado Midland had a 27 mile line from Colorado Springs to Divide which was purchased by the Midland Terminal Railway Co. in the early 1920's. With the construction of the railroad, this company probably saw an opportunity for profit from the sale of land for development and water for hydroelectric and other uses. (Gannett, p. 173; Moody, 1924, p. 1463) Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

2659. Teller. Woodland Park. Title Abstracts. Lot of 31 pieces. 8 x 17". Woodland Park was a post town on the Colorado Midland Railway. Population in 1900 was 269 (Gannett). See similar lots in Title Abstract Section. Est.-$100-300

2660. Teller. Woodland Park. Woodland Park Sanatorium & Hotel Co. Incorporated in Colorado in 1908. Issued to John B. Orris for 15,000 shares, cert #16, in 1909. Signed by S. B. Robbins as President and Dela B. Sawyer as Secretary. Vignette at upper left of spread-winged eagle on cliff edge. Black border with gold seal and underprint. Uncancelled. 5 X 8. Folds, some staining along left fold on obverse. Very fine. Woodland Park was a post town on the Colorado Midland Railway. In 1900 its population was 269 (Gannett, p.184). Sanatoriums were resort-like facilities where people would seek treatment for such illnesses as tuberculosis. Est. $25-50