Introduction
Auction Rules
Online Bid Sheet
Arizona
Other Western States
(Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Texas, Wyoming)
California Index
Nevada
New Mexico
New York & Tennessee
Western History and Mining
Airlines
Colorado Index
Colorado Oils
Colorado Railroad
Colorado Wells Fargo
Rare Movie Posters

COLORADO PART 6: Gunnison County through Lake County

GUNNISON COUNTY

1646. Gunnison(?). Micawber SMC. Inc. in CO. Unissued, 18xx, no cert #. Vignette at left of cross sectional view of mine shaft with workers above and below ground. 8 X 11. Printer - Wm F. Murphy's Son, Philadelphia. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. CSA reported two mines by this name in Gunnison County, but we could find no other reference of same. Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

1647. Gunnison. Park Cone Placer MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to J. O. Gorman for 1000 shares, cert #120, in 1900. Signed by Geo Gardner President and R. S. Waley Secretary. Vignette of allegorical woman wearing hat at upper left. Fancy masthead. Black border with green background. Two 10 cent revenue stamps affixed at right edge. Datelined Joliet, Ill. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. Several small spots along bottom edge. Replacement pieces bearing company name are glued below issuee's name and on masthead. Park Cone is a mountain in Gunnison County. Gunnison Co. supported numerous placer operations. Fine. Est. $25-75

1648. Gunnison. Robert Bruce Placer MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to J. O. Gorman for 1000 shares, cert #121, in 1900. Signed by Geo. Gardner President and R. L. Waley Secretary. Vignette at top left of woman wearing a hat. Two 10 cent revenue stamps affixed right middle edge. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. The certificate had had paper tags pasted over the company name, but are now removed. The embossed corporate seal reads "The Park Cone Placer Mining Co." It isn't clear which name came first. We could find no reference to either company. Folds. Very fine. Est. $25-75

1649. Gunnison. St. Louis Gunnison MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to R. W. Woodbury for 50 shares, cert #155, in 1882. Signed by B. F. Woodward President and Geo. S. Oatman Secretary. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Black border and print. Datelined Denver, Colo. Uncancelled. 4 X 7. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Extremely fine. Est. $150-250

1650. Gunnison. Taylor Park Gold Dredging Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Unissued, 19xx, no cert #. Vignette of large floating dredge in a stream or lake. Brown border and underprint. 9 X 12. Printer Theo. Leonhardt & Son, Philadelphia. Taylor Park is a Valley near Bowman in Gunnison County (Gannett, p. 166.) The Enterprise mine near here was a gold, silver, copper, lead ore bearing fissure vein (Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 870). Deposits such as this may have been the source for the alluvial gold sought by this company. Est. $15-30

1651. Gunnison. Gold Hill. American Queen GMC. Incorporated in Colorado 1904. Issued to Geo. W. Lawrence for 150 shares, cert #814, in 1905. Signed by president Hiram Oldenhauer and secretary Edwin Wallace. Vignette at upper left corner of miners underground with smaller vignettes at each corner of miners. Black border with gilt seal and brown background design. Uncancelled. 8 x 11. Printer - Goes. This company succeeded the Carter M & MC of Gold Hill, Co prior to 1916. (Mines Handbook, 1916) No other information was found within our library concerning this company. Very fine. Est. $25-50
1652. Gunnison. Gothic City. Paradise Gulch MC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1881. Issued to P. L. Hanscone for 440 shares, cert #313+1, in 188x. Signed by S. S. Scribner President and A. M. Searles Secretary. Primitive vignette of spread-winged eagle. Black border with gilt seal. 4 X 5. Offices: Gothic City, Gunnison County, Colorado printed on certificate. Uncancelled. Rich gold and silver ore was discovered at the foot of Gothic Mountain in June of 1879. The town quickly grew, sporting 170 buildings within four months. Some of the ore was valued up to $15,000 per ton. By 1884, much of the ore was gone and the town quickly faded. In 1880, General U. S. Grant visited the town. (Eberhart, pp. 304-305) Some staining to folds and edges. Very fine. Est. $150-250

1653. Gunnison. Gothic. Crown MC. Incorporated in New Jersey 1881. Issued to Joseph Clark for 500 shares, cert #248, in 1881. Datelined Camden, NJ. Signed by president and Jos. L. Layer secretary. Vignette at top center of a water wheel in foreground, a roadway with pedestrians and horses, several buildings in middle ground and mountainous backdrop. Vignette at left edge of two miners underground. Black border with pink safety print and white underprint. Uncancelled. 11 X 14. Printer - Theo. Leonhardt & Son, Philadelphia. Minor foxing and stains along edges. Folds. There was a 40' shaft on Crystal Mountain with a 6' vein with malachite and galena. The mine was inactive by 1885. (Burchard, 1882, p.472) Unique certificate. Very fine. Est. $150-250

1654. Gunnison. Ohio City(?). Carter MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1897. Issued to John W. Geary for 4000 shares, cert #72, in 1907. Signed by Carroll Carter president and N. Bankoloss secretary. Vignette at upper left of seated woman with lots of stuff around her. Brown border, seal and background design. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. The Carter Mining Co. owned 80 claims covering 800 acres. Ore is of lead and iron sulphides. There is a main working tunnel 8000' long with thousands of feet of other workings. A 20 stamp mill is said to handle 100 tons/day producing concentrates and gold bullion. Letter included with Carter Mines Company letterhead signed by Carroll Carter president. The letter states that the Carter Mining Co is dissolved with the sheriff selling the property prior to 1916. The Carter Mines Co was organized to develop the original property of Carter MC. At that time, limited work was being done supposedly due to the low price of gold. (Mines Handbook, 1916, p.327) Very fine. Est. $25-50

1655. Gunnison. Quartz Creek district. Silver Islet Consolidated Mining & Lands Co. Incorporated in New York. Certificate # 4223 issued to J. R. Bodwell for 45 shares in 1881. Datelined New York. Signed by Vice-President B. E. Strong and Secretary C. A. Trowbridge. Black border and print. 6 x 9. Printer not noted. Claim was located two miles from Pitkin, and patented in 1882. This was a silver mine with a chlorination mill in Armstrong Gulch. Production unknown (C&L, Burchard, 1882). Two stains along bottom, one through Trowbridge's signature, although it is still legible. Est. $150-300

1656. Gunnison. Ruby. Bonanza King Development Co. Incorporated in California in 1905. Issued to John B. Bedford for 20 shares, cert #1096, in 1907. Signed by president Wm. A. Eckerly and secretary Caddagon. Vignette of spread winged eagle clutching stars and stripes shield. Green border with gray seal. Uncancelled. 7 x 11. Printer - W. H. Kistler. Trimmed tight at all corners. The Bonanza King mine is located in Elk Basin being discovered in 1880. The ore contained galena and ruby silver with assays of 62 oz/ton silver. Developed by three shafts from 20-30' deep. (Corregan & Lingane, p.322) Fine. Est. $25-50

1657. Gunnison. Tin Cup(?). Forest Hill Cons MC. Inc. in CO. Issued to M. R. Brennan for 1000 shares, cert #1964, in 1902. Signed by Lawrence Dilworth vp and Robt. M. Campbell sec. Fancy masthead. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Two holes at top. Minor stain at upper left. Tin Cup Colorado printed on certificate. Forest Hill is a small ghost town located near Red Mountain some 20 or so miles north of Gunnison. The fact Tin Cup is on the certificate is no surprise. The name reflects a mining camp south of Forest Hill where one of Colorado's largest Silver booms took place in the 1880's. The district also took the name of Tin Cup. Forest Hill was but a small producer in comparison so why not use the famous district on your certificate when you are so close )but yet so far). Eberhart, p291) Very fine. Est. $25-75

1658. Gunnison. Tomichi. North Star G&S MC. Inc. in CO. Issued to Allison Little for 2500 shares, cert #39, in 1893. Signed by C. W. Wilson President and J. E. Jones Secretary. Fancy masthead and vignette at upper right with star circled by "Location of mines, Tomichi District, Gunnison Co. Colorado." Gold border with silver underprint. Uncancelled. 3 X 7. Printer - Pioneer Litho Denver. This is a very attractive, and small (about the size of a check) certificate. We were unable to locate any reference to this company among our resources. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150
HINSDALE COUNTY

1659. Hinsdale. Galena. Empire Chief MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1925. Issued to Dr. C. M. Hazard for 500 shares, cert #1764, in 1926. Signed by R. D. L. Townsend president and secretary. Vignette at left edge of spread winged eagle atop crag. Orange border. Uncancelled. 9 X 11. The company was formed to take the property of the Highland Chief Sm & Mining Co and late the property of Townsend M&Sm Co. Owned the Highland Chief as well as 31 other claims located on Sheep Mtn near Henson Creek near old Capitol City camp. The primary ore contained silver and lead with high-grade assaying at 40% lead. The company was facing logistical difficulties in 1929 due to a lack of necessary coal for the mill. There were several washouts along the railroad line forcing less production than desired. (Mines Handbook, 1931, p.750) Very fine. Est. $25-50

1660. Hinsdale. Galena. Hancock Silver MC. Incorporated in New Jersey 1881. Unissued, 18xx, no cert #. Vignette of John Hancock. Mines located in Hinsdale County, Colorado printed on certificate. Black border and print. Hole punch on signature line. 7 X 11. Printer - Wolf & Co. Owned the Hancock lode on Engineer Mountain in the Galena district. Assays ran 28 oz/ton silver. There was one 50' shaft. (Corregan & Lingane, p.377) Very fine. Est. $25-75

1661. Hinsdale. Henson Creek. Victor MC. Incorporated in New Jersey 1881. Issued to G. W. Powell for 1000 shares, cert # 798, in 1882. Datelined Camden, NJ. Signed by J. J. Sprogle President and Jos L. Lryer Secretary. Two vignettes; top center of desolate mountains with a small mining camp; left center of miners working underground. Black border with green underprint. Uncancelled. 9 X 12. Printer - Geo V. Magee. Prospect was located in the vicinity of Capitol City and, with others, was ". . .being developed in such a manor as to soon become mines. . ." (Burchard, 1884, p. 329). Minor foxing along edges. Very fine. Est. $150-250

1662. Hinsdale. Lake City(?). Gold Pick M&M Co. Incorporated in Wyoming . Unissued, cert #655. Signed by N. F. Patterson president only. Attractive vignette of mine portal with pick axe with golden head set within company name. Green border. 7 X 10. Main offices listed as in Lake City, Hinsdale County. (Dunbar, 1898). Location of properties not known. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1663. Hinsdale. Lake City. Checks. Lot of 4 pcs. Miners & Merchants Bank, Lake City, 1878; Hinsdale County Bank, Lake City, 1876, two vignettes; 2 Hinsdale County Bank, Lake City, both have two vignettes. Very fine. Est. $150-200

1664. Hinsdale. Lake City. Sulphuret Mining & Reduction Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to R. M. Green for 275 shares, cert #28, in 1919. Signed by D. A. Burger President and W. L. Humphrey Secretary. Vignette of two miners working underground. Black border with very loud orange background and seal. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Meyer, Denver. The company had a bond and lease on the Cora and Sulphuret silver properties on Lake Fork. They were developed by a 216 ft shaft and several tunnels. Were doing development work in 1920 and made some shipments in 1922, but were idle after that through at least 1929. (Mines Handbook, 1925, 805; Mines Handbook, 1931, p. 867) Staining along folds on front and back. Fine. Est. $25-50

1665. Hinsdale. Sherman. Black Wonder & West End GMC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1895. Issued to Edward B. Jones for 100 shares, cert #2427, in 1896. Signed by president (?) and treasurer J.N. Allen. Unique and attractive vignette at upper left of mill at the base of mountains with names of individual mines located on the background mountains. Fancy masthead with company name with of Sherman, Hinsdale Co, Colorado. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 6 x 8. Printer - Boston Bank Note & Lith. Mines included the Black Wonder and the West End. In 1898, there was 2000' developed within the Black Wonder and 250' in the West End. The mines were connected by a mill and tramway and included a 30 stamp mill. The (ghost) town of Sherman was located at the junction of Lake Fork and Cottonwood Creeks. The mountainous terrain and extensive snowfall left this town essentially deserted in the winter months and prone to devastating spring floods. The Sherman House Hotel was the centerpiece of the town. At the turn of the century, a company undertook the construction of a dam to prevent the flooding problem. This company went broke halfway through, and another company completed the project. Within a few days of the completion, a cloudburst filled the streams tearing the new dam to pieces taking most of the town of Sherman with it. A few cabins still exist, but only those that escaped the flood. Mining began in the 1870's and continued off
and on until 1925. the major producing mine was the Black Wonder. Other mines include the West End, Olive, Come Up, Mineral Flower, Smile of Fortune, Monster, Minnie Lee, George Washington, New Hope, Mountain View and Clinton. (Dunbar, p. 250; Eberhart, p. 393) Foxing to right edge and along single fold. Extremely fine. Very attractive. Est. $200-400

1666. Hinsdale. Sherman. Ohio Consol. MC. Incorporated New York. Issued to F. H. Sharpless for 100 shares, cert #804, in 1881. Datelined New York. Signed by Max Meyer Vice-President and A. H. Girard Secretary. Vignette at right edge of men working underground in large cavernous mine; small vignette of dog bottom center. Blue border and underprint. Uncancelled. 7 X 10. Printer - American Bank Note Co. The Ohio mine was located in the Carson mining camp. The ores consisted of pyrite (probably auriferous), galena (lead), zincblende (zinc), gray copper and others. (Burchard, 1883, p. 480). Folds. Slight paper clip rust stain at top edge. Very Fine. Est. $150-300

1667. Hinsdale. White Cross camp. White Cross Copper Company. Incorporated in Delaware in 1916. Certificate # 1870 issued to Waters & Birdsall for 100 shares in 1917. Signed by Vice-President Tho. H. Eaton and Secretary H.P. Sturgis. Uncancelled. Company logo of white cross above masthead. Blue border on white paper. 8 x 11. Printer - Franklin Lee Div.-ABN. The company had 2 claims, the Champion and You Bet at White Cross Camp, Hinsdale County, 5 miles east of Animas Forks. Ore was sulphide and carried copper, gold , silver and zinc. Developed by 2 shafts with 450 ft total workings to a depth of 200 ft. Very fine. Est. $25-75

HUERFANO COUNTY

1668. Huerfano. La Veta district. La Veta Mining & Tunneling Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to R. W. Dewey for 4999 shares, cert #1, in 1890. Datelined La Veta, Colo. Signed by A. B. Morse Vice-President and S. Thompson Secretary. Embossed gilt seal. 6 X 8. La Veta was a stop on the Denver and Rio Grande Railway named by railroad company founder William Jackson Palmer in 1876 (Benson, p. 121-122) The nearby mining district on the slopes of West Spanish Peaks probably took its name from the town. The district comprises copper, lead and zinc veins in fault fissures and fractures (Davis and Streufert, p. 14). Foxing and wear to right edge. Tear along crease from right to left. Crease at lower right corner. Uncancelled. Fine to very fine. Est. $50-150

1669. Huerfano. West Spanish Peak. Big Four Mining & Smelting Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to E. T. Rittenhouse for 1,000 shares in 1897. Certificate number 562. Datelined LaVeta, Colo. Signed by President G. W. Gill and Secretary J. W. Shaw. Uncancelled. Vignette of 5 miners working underground. Black border on white paper. 8 x 10. Printer - Kellogg & Bulkeley Co., Hartford, Conn. "Stratton Related" in pencil at top of cert. No information found within our library concerning this company. The West Spanish Peak district was located on the slopes of the peak by this name. Ore was comprised of polymetallic veins in fault fissures and fractures containing galena, tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite (Lead, copper and zinc minerals) (Davis & Streufert, p. 14). Minor light staining at left edge and bottom. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150

JEFFERSON COUNTY

1670. Jefferson. Clear Creek Gold Mining & Water Power Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Frank K. Hipple for 2000 shares, cert #93, in 1895. Signed by Harry Louis president and Wm. G. Smith secretary. Vignette of miners working underground. Gold border, seal and underprint. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. There is a Clear Creek Gold Mining & Power Co listed in the Colorado Mines list of 1900-1976. Perhaps there was a translation error in data entry. Very fine. Est. $50-150

1671. Jefferson. Golden. Adolph Coors Co. illustrated letterheads, 1933. Both have the same vignette in the heading of the Coors tower in Golden, but one is placed in the underprint of the company, and the other is directly above, and is flanked by "Coors Golden Quality Brew" and "Coors Pure Malted Milk." Both are very fine. 11 x 8.5". Est. $25-50.

1672. Jefferson. Golden. Indenture to Adolph Coors for $50. Fred French of Cripple Creek borrowed $50 from Adolph Coors in 1904. Seven month loan at 8% per year. Signed by French but not by Coors. 3.5 x 8". Est. $25-50.

1673. Jefferson. Golden. Coors Beer billhead for standard Bottling & Mfg. Co., 1903. Large vignette of bird's eye view of the Coors facility in Golden, by Denver Litho Co. 7 x 8.5". Est. $75-150.

1674. Jefferson. Golden. Collection of Banker Checks 1880-1883. All F. E. Everett, Banker checks. The first check, dated 1882, has a simple design, Collier & Cleveland, Lith., Denver, rubber-stamped "paid". The second has a different design, dated 1880, small vignette at upper right of a bird, Pay to the Order of F.E. Everett at center is crossed out by ink and Wm. Moore, Gen'l Manager is written in. The last two checks in the lot are promissory notes due from The Moore Mining & Smelting Company, one dated 1880, the other 1883. All cancelled. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1675. Jefferson. Malachite. Malachite MC. Incorporated in Maine. Issued to G. L. Eaton for 100 shares, cert #281, in 1878. Signed by Elijah E. Lummus President and Edward A. Lord treasurer. Vignette at upper right of Indian squaw leaning on Colorado State Seal and vignette to right of miners working underground. Black border. Cancelled by rubber stamps. 8 X 10. Printer - J. H. Bufords Sons Lith Boston. The workings had the capacity to treat five tons of ore daily. Located in Golden, on the Colorado Central Railroad. The Malachite mine was popular and produced copper ores whenever the copper market rose in price. It was on the divide between Bear Creek and Mount Vernon Canyon three miles west of Morrison (Vanderwilt, 1947, p. 124, Corbett). Very fine. Est. $150-300

LA PLATA COUNTY

1676. La Plata. California district. Doyle Consolidated Mines Co. Incorporated in Arizona in 1907. Certificate # 5429 issued to Louis H. Hall for 100 shares in 1911. Signed by president James Doyle and Asst-Secretary H. Halverson. Uncancelled. Vignettes; top center of hills with mines at base and town at top; two flanking vignettes of miners working underground. Gold border, safety print and seal. Instructions for transferring stock affixed to upper left. 8 x 11. Printer - Goes. A consolidation of the Mancos Mining and Development Co., the Cliff Dwellers Gold Mining Co. and the White Quail Copper Co. Had 31 claims in Rush Basin, part of the California mining district in Montezuma and La Plata Counties. "The property has thus far failed to fulfill the extravagant claims and promises of the White Quail promoters, or their successors (Mines Handbook, 1916, p. 446). See story on James Doyle in Cripple Creek section. Minor tears at fold edges, very fine. Est. $100-200

1677. La Plata. Durango. Whoop-E-Tee-Whoop Trade Token. WHOOP-E-TEE-WHOOP / 1.00 / DURANGO, COLORADO // same on reverse, rd, b/b, brass, 22mm. Est. $5-15

1678. La Plata. Needle Mountains(?). Bullion Mountain MC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1899. Issued to E.N. Whiton for 1000 shares, cert #84, in 1902. Signed by president Whiton and secretary (?). Vignette of miners working underground. Orange border with gilt seal and orange background design. Uncancelled. 8 x 10. Printer - Goes. The Colorado Gazetteer places Bullion Mountain within La Plata County in the Needle Mountains District in the Southern San Juan Mtns. It is possible that the properties and workings were here. (Gazetteer,)Very fine. Est. $25-75

1679. La Plata. Needle Mountains(?). Bullion Mountain Silver MC. Incorporated in Colorado(?) 1880. First Mortgage Bond, cert #96. Signed by T. H. Ford president and Chas. H. Hiscock treasurer. All original coupons attached. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Green border and underprint with red seal. Uncancelled. 15 X 15. Printer - N. H. Spaulding, Boston. See above lot for the story. Extremely fine and very attractive. Est. $200-400

LAKE COUNTY

A Brief Story of Leadville
The story of Leadville is as varied as the search for gold and silver. It began its life as a placer gold camp in the 1860's, with the discovery of gold in California Gulch. A small mining camp sprung up, called Oro City, which nearly died within a decade. In 1874, with H. A.W. Tabor running the only general store, and tiny at that, geologist Alvin Wood and William Stevens bought out the local ditch company and ran the placer mines by themselves. They quickly noticed that the black sands in the bottom of the sluice were a bit unusual and of a different character, so they assayed the black sand and found it contained 40 ounces of silver per ton. They traced the sand to outcrop and began mining, and with that, came a rush. The year was 1877. Oro City was about to become Leadville.

Within a year, with the rush underway, the world began to learn about the rich silver deposits at Leadville. By 1879, the silver was pouring out. About that time the USGS was created, and under the guidance of Clarence King, skilled geologists were sent to the most important mining regions of the Country to begin a detailed geologic study that the Government hoped would lead to the discovery of ore deposits. Frank Emmons, a Harvard graduate, was put in charge of the Rocky Mountain Region. Emmons had also attended the prestigious mining schools of Europe, the Freiberg School of Mines and the Ecloe Imperiale des Mines in Paris. Emmons then worked with King and Arnold Hague on the Fortieth Parallel survey. In 1879 he proceeded to begin the study of Leadville, one of about a dozen spots chosen for the first work by the USGS.
Leadville is composed of at least six different mining districts historically, including: California [Gulch], Oro, Iowa Gulch, Carbonate Hill, Fryer Hill, Breece (Breeze), and Battle Mountain (not to be confused with Battle Mountain of Cripple Creek.)
Emmons completed the Geologic work at Leadville by 1881, though the Administration withheld publication for another 5 years, a problem that persists today. His work led to the rapid development of the ores and production of hundreds of millions of ounces of silver bullion. A subsequent report published by the USGS in 1925 was mostly begun by Emmons, who had died in 1911, and completed by two other geologists in later years (USGS Professional Paper 148.) This report is the benchmark of Leadville geology and ore deposits today.

Leadville is one of those places that you definitely want to visit if you enjoy western mining. Everything about the place is fun, from the rich history of mining that started with placer gold found in California Gulch, to the rich silver deposits, and stories of JJ & Molly Brown. The city has beautiful buildings, shops, and the National Hall of Fame Mining Museum, which is a must see for mining enthusiasts. During last year's International Mining History Conference, a field trip was organized that included Leadville, and the group (mostly Europeans) loved it. We did too. Of course we had to tell our visiting friends Colorado mining stories the whole way….

One of my first trips to Leadville was for an entirely different matter. After studying about the geology and mines there over several years, I had hoped to get a project there, but the opportunity never came up. My career was engrossed in open pit gold mining, and Leadville was silver. It would have to wait. As I became a seasoned long distance mountain runner, however, I soon heard about the Leadville 100 mile foot race. My training partner, Roland Martin, himself a mining (and tax) lawyer, had run the race numerous times, and was about to do it again in the mid 1990's. I had been working in Black Hawk for about a year, and decided I'd go over there to pace him the last fifty miles. Now pacing, to non-runners, might sound like some fool going out with Edwin Moses to make sure he runs his 400 hurdles in under 45 seconds flat. You know, the rabbit guy. Forget about it. Pacing for long distance runners is the opposite. It's a plan to keep your "runner" on his feet and moving to be sure they make it to the finish line on time. The cutoff for most 100 mile races is 30 hours. Only a few ever make it at Leadville under 24 hours, the traditional goal. Now if you're a runner, you might like this idea. The course is fantastically beautiful…traversing spectacular mountains, meadows, and along turquoise lakes, passing multitudes of historic mine sites along the way. But its not for the faint of heart…the whole race (nearly so) is at an altitude of over 10,000 feet! It takes years of running to train for a race like this. My training had been outstanding…my favorite run was from Black Hawk at Lake Gulch, over the mountain and down the Oh My God Road to Idaho Springs and back. Twenty plus gorgeous miles of solid mining country, and thousands of feet of elevation gain. Roland made it to the finish in Leadville with flair. I kept him awake and on time by talking about the local mining history, and keeping the whip tight. What a trip. -fh

1680. Lake. Certificate of Appointment, 1899. Announces the appointment of Charles Cavender as County Attorney of Lake County. Signed by H. Phillips County Clerk. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Purple border and print. 6 X 6. Printer - Whipple. Excellent. Est. $10-25

1681. Lake. Certificate of Election, 1919. Issued to Mrs. Maybelle McMahon for winning the 1919 election for City Clerk. Does not indicate which city! Signed by John J. Bohen city clerk. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Blue border and print with gilt seal. 8 X 11. Slight wear to folds. Very fine. Est. $20-40

1682. Lake. Alicante. Revenue Leasing & MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to George Bray for 500 shares, cert #3507, in 1901. Signed by William G. Need President and Albert Hohenshal Secretary. Datelined Leadville, Colorado. Vignette at upper right of a minor with a wheelbarrow and another reclining on rocks. Green border and underprint. Uncancelled. 5 X 8. Printer - Francis Doane & Co, Boston. Mines at Leadville printed on certificate. This company was a successor to the Revenue Mining & Milling Co. They owned and leased out the Revenue placers and lodes in the Alicante District. The mine was first developed about 1880 in quartz and galena ore, rich in silver. (Corregan & Lingane, 1883.) Extremely fine. Est. $100-200

1683. Lake. Alicante. Revenue Leasing & MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to William F. Plummer for 75 shares, cert #5128, in 1908. Signed by Guy ? President and James P. Hugh Secretary. Vignette in underprint of spread-winged eagle. Black border with green underprint and underprint. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Folds. Minor foxing along edges. See above lot for the story. Est. $75-150

1684. Lake. California district. Climax Mining Co. Incorporated in New York. Certificate # 5842 issued to Geo. W. Girty for 100 shares in 1882. Datelined New York. Signed by President Harry Allen and Secretary H. F. Pierron. Uncancelled. Vignette at top center of goat with two kids lying beside rocky outcrop; at bottom center of Great Seal of Colorado. Green border. 7 x 10. Printer - ABN, NY. Owned the Climax mine located on Fryer Hill about 3/4 mile from Leadville. Exploited a contact vein from 6 to 32 inches wide containing a low grade ore of silver and lead carbonates that, after sorting, yielded 25% lead and 20 oz per ton silver. Developed by 7 shafts aggregating 900 feet and about 400 ft of drifts. Produced $700,000 by about 1882 (Corregan & Lingane, p. 404-405). This stock and company has often been confused with the famous Climax Mine just a few miles from Leadville. Very fine. Est. $150-300

1685. Lake. California Gulch. Stereo card. View of two miners in foreground processing ore in water filled trough. On hillside in background intense development including numerous shaft houses, dumps, steam powered machinery and scattered trees. This card is labeled Nightingale Mine at Bull Hill in the Cripple Creek district, but the tall timber and the relief of the canyon suggest to us that it is misidentified. Very fine. Est. $75-150

1686. Lake. Homestake. Homestake MC of Colorado. Incorporated in New Jersey 1880. Issued to S. J. Holbrook, Esq. for 1000 shares, cert #155, in 1881. Signed by W. J. Radcliffe secretary. Vingette at top center of several miners working underground. Vignette at lower left of New Jersey State Seal. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Lehman & Bolton, Philadelphia. Owned the Britton, Grubstake, Carbonate of Lead, Goldfinch, Hit or Miss and Monarch claims. Assays ran 10-30 oz/ton. There are five shafts and one tunnel. Homestake is a ghost located on the north side of Homestake Mountain twelve miles northwest of Leadville. The district was known for lead, zinc and silver, very little gold. The winters were brutal and for the most part making it uninhabitable. The towns began to fade around 1885 when production costs exceeded ore value. (Corregan & Lingane, 1883, 417; Eberhart, p.207-08) Very fine. Est. $250-400

1687. Lake. Lackawanna. Wabash Consol. MC. Incorporated in Arizona. Issued to George B. Stineman for 2134 shares, cert #414, in 1909. Datelined Denver. Signed by S. M. Goddard as President and L. S. McKee as Secretary. Vignette of several men working underground loading ore cars. Gold border, seal and background. $1.00 in underprint. Operating in the Cripple Creek District under vignette. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Probably a reorganization of the Wabash Gold Mining Company who owned the Wabash, Wabash Nos. 1, 2 and 3, the Dutchman, the Jay Gule and the Snow Drift, totaling about 50 acres. Claims were located on the north slope of Copper mountain. Minor foxing lower left edge, staple holes upper right edge. Extremely fine. Est. $50-150

1688. Lake. Lackawanna. Wabash Mining & Smelting Co. Incorporated in New York in 1880. Issued to J. T. Briggs for 200 shares, cert #136, in 1880. Signed by A. McDonald as President and Willis A. Barnes as Secretary. Datelined New York. Uncommon vignette of at top with two buildings, a shaft with headframe, several pack burros, mules and miners. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 7 X 11. Printer - Collins & Sesnon. Mines & works at Ten Mile Near Leadville, Colorado printed at top. The company owned the Wabash group of eleven claims which were prospected for silver and copper in Lackawanna Gulch (Burchard). Extremely fine. Est. $200-400

1689. Lake. Leadville. Amie Consolidated MC. Incorporated in New York 1879. Issued to L. D. Roudebush for 100 shares, cert #12300, in 1883. Signed by president Robert Lenell and J. S. Lockwood secretary. Attractive vignette at top center of 4 miners workings above ground on new claim with horse at side. Vignettes at each edge of robed woman in green underprint. Vignette of woman's portrait in circle. Green border and underprint. Uncancelled. 7 x 10. Printer - American Bank Note, NY. Owned by Amie claim, 300 X 1500', located on Fryer Hill, three quarters of a mile from Leadville. Ore ran 30% lead and 15-30 oz/ton. Five shafts in place with considerable drifts and tunnels. Production resulted in $1.3 million with $350,000 paid in dividends. (Corregan & Lingane, p. 397-98). Foxing along edges. Very fine. Est. $150-300

1690. Lake. Leadville. Bald Mountain MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to W. F. Randolph for 100 shares, cert #3102, in 1880. Signed by president Samuel L. Harris and secretary Chas. Wendell. Vignette overlooking mine dump, buildings and a tent on rolling, tree dotted hills. Black border. Fryerhill, Leadville, Col. printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 7 x 11. Printer - Franklin Bank Note, NY. Located on Fryer Hill. Gold was discovered in California Gulch in 1860 where the Bald Mountain MC was located. Sixty-nine minerals reported to be found at Leadville. (Shannon, 1985). Very fine. Est. $200-300
1691. Lake. Leadville(?). Belvidere-Leadville MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Unissued, 190x, cert #298. Vignette at upper left of miners working underground with smaller vignettes at each corner of miners. 8 x 11. Printer - Goes. The certificate is datelined Belvidere, Ill suggesting that the company adopted its name from where the owners lived and where the workings were located - Leadville. No other information found regarding this company. Stains and foxing along edges. Fine. Est. $10-30

1692. Lake. Leadville. Big Four Gold and Copper Mining Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to N. B. Delanwater for 500 shares in 1899. Certificate number 205. Signed by President J. H. Pierce and Secretary J. N. Kearney(?). Uncancelled. Three vignettes: top center of mill buildings in rugged canyon with river and steam train; top left of 3 miners inspecting ore sample; top right of miners working underground. Black border with gold underprint and seal. Brown 10 cent documentary stamp top left. 5-1/2 x 10. Printer - Goes. Owned the claims covering 11 acres north of the Little Jonnie Mine in the Leadville district. Presumably idle as of 1910. This company has been attributed to the Cripple Creek district by other researchers through an understandable confusion with the Big Four Copper and Gold Mining Co of that same district that operated in the mid to late 1890's. (Mines Handbook, 1910, p.415) Extremely fine. Est. $25-75

1693. Lake. Leadville. Bonanza Development Co. of Colorado. Issued to Thomas Young for 100 shares, cert #9915, in 1899. Signed by president M. Whitney and secretary W. Downing. Vignette of 4 miners and a horse working fresh ground at surface with dramatic mountainous backdrop. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 7 x 11. Printer - ABN. In the years of 1880-1900, the ores of the Leadville area were considered Bonanza grade. Rich ore bodies at the contact of the Leadville Limestone allowed for nearly 1 million ounces of silver to be produced in 1880. Most likely this company adopted the Bonanza name from the rich ores they hoped to exploit. Very fine. Est. $50-150

1694. Lake. Leadville. Boreel MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to Theo. C. Camp for 500 shares, cert #330, in 1898. Signed by president R.C. McCormick and secretary T. Moore Jr. Vignette of spread winged eagle with banner in beak. Black border and print. Issued for payment for property, situated in Lake County, State of Colorado printed on certificate. A 2 dollar State of New York revenue stamp and a 2 dollar revenue stamp attached on reverse. Cancelled by rubber stamps indicating dissolution of company 1913. 7 x 11. Owned the Gonabrod mine. (Dunbar) Very fine. Est. $50-150

1695. Lake. Leadville. Breece MC. Incorporated in New York in 1879. Issued to C.G. Perkins for 100 shares, cert #1459, in 1880. Signed by president C.R. Bissell and secretary H.B. Smasey. Vignette of several miners working in a pillared mine underground. Green border. Uncancelled. 8 x 11. Printer - Franklin Bank Note. Owned the Ben Franklin, Gen. Cadwallader, Philadelphia and William Penn claims all on Breece Hill, three miles from Leadville. Discovered in 1875. Ore contains hematite, phosphorous and sulfur all free of silica. At time of issue, the shaft was 350' deep and still being deepened. This was a gold-silver mine which operated up to 1921. (Corregan & Lingane, p.401; Mines Handbook, v15, p. 563) Very fine. Est. $100-200

1696. Lake. Leadville. Brookland MC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1882. Issued to James Dunne for 1121 1/3 shares, cert #131, in 1882. Signed by president Thos. Adams and secretary James Dunne. Black border and print. Uncancelled and no cutouts. 7 x 11. The Brookland got into an apex issue with their neighbor and lost. Very fine. Est. $200-300

1697. Lake. Leadville. California Gulch MC. Inc. in CO. Issued to Ed Haley for 50 shares, cert #460, in 1900. Signed by A Bohn president and R. Moore secretary. Vignette of mill along stream in valley. Gold border, seal and background design. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - W. H. Kistler. No information found within our library concerning this company. California Gulch is one of many creek beds located around Leadville. The Jones party is given credit for discovery and naming of many of the gold bearing gulches of Leadville. California Gulch got its name from a miner in the Jones Party, Abe Lee, who was sitting at a spring staring into his pan. The others of the party, huddled about a warm fire, called out to Abe "What have you got, Abe? Oh, Boys. I've just got California in this here pan!" The name stuck. (Blair, p. 5-6) Very fine. Est. $25-75
1698. Lake. Leadville. Catalpa MC. Inc. in CO. Issued to John F. Monahan for 100 shares, cert #11491, in 1919. Signed by Fred P. Fowler pres, W. J. Downing sec. Vignette of miners underground. Brown border, underprint. Leadville, Colorado printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - American Bank Note, Boston. Very fine. See lot below for the story. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1699. Lake. Leadville. Catalpa MC. Incorporated in New York 1880. Issued to H. C. Freeman for 100 shares, cert #5612, in 1883. Signed by J. P. Whitney president and H. W. Wesson secretary. Vignette of miners underground. Brown border. Uncancelled. Leadville, Colorado printed on certificate. 7 X 9. Discovered in 1877 high up on Carbonate Hill, a shaft penetrated the ore body at 170'. The mine was reported to have been producing regularly and that the eastern incline had been run 585' from the main shaft disclosing ore which averaged 13 ounces of silver/ton and 40% lead. Joel P. Whitney was a native New Englander who was among the most talented and energetic promoters of Colorado mines. His mining activities spanned some 40 years. He developed many mines and volunteered to serve as the delegate from Colorado to the Grand Paris Universal Exposition which opened in the Spring of 1867. He took a large quantity of minerals and ores from Leadville and other Colorado mines to be displayed and promoted. He was given a gold medal at the Expo. When the famous French mining engineer and author of "La View Souterraine ou Mines et Les Mineurs", Louis Simonin, visited the U.S. Whitney (who spoke fluent French) was his guide. (Burchard, 1883; Emmons, 1886; Griswold, 1951). Very fine. Est. $200-400

1700. Lake. Leadville. Check Collection. Lot of 11 pcs. Bank of Leadville, Leadville, 1880; Silver Camp No. 12 Woodmen of the World, Leadville, 1899, two 2 cent revenue stamps; Leadville Illuminating Gas Co, Leadville, 1881; Carbonate NB, Leadville, 1904; Bank of Colorado, Leadville, 1880; American NB, Leadville, 1926; Colorado Receipt, Leadville, 1881; Tomkins Hardware Co, Leadville, 1889; Trimble & Hunter Bankers, Leadville, 1887; S. L Smith Co, Leadville, 1904; Miners Exchange Bank, Leadville, 1885. Very fine. Est. $100-200

1701. Lake. Leadville. Chrysolite Mountain MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1901. Issued to C. W. Schmidt for 1000 shares, cert #201, in 1902. Signed by Walter S. Wright president and Chas. Fox secretary. Vignette of spread winged eagle with stars and stripes shield. Black border with green seal and background design. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. Includes a letter from the Secretary of State Colorado. The letter states that the Chysolite Mountain MC and Chaffee Mining & Smelting Co had not filed papers of dissolution. However, both companies were in arrears in their tax payments since 1904. Letter dated 1912. Signed by Thomas F. Dillon, Jr, Deputy Secretary of State. Very fine. Est. $25-75

1702. Lake. Leadville. Chrysolite Silver MC. Incorporated in New York 1878. Issued to N Amy & Co for 50 shares, cert #A1739, in 1881. Signed by R. M. Raymond president and Henry Cooper secretary. Vignette of several miners working underground. Brown border. Location of Mines Fryer Hill, Leadville, Colorado printed at top of certificate. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - American Bank Note, NY. The company owned 66 acres on Fryer Hill, one mile from Leadville. Over 5000' of shafts and 28,000'+ of drifts with numerous other workings. The ore was of lead carbonates and argentiferous iron. Production prior to 1882 totaled 60,000 tons yielding 2.2 million ounces of silver worth $1.6 million after cost of mining. There were 16 buildings on site to accommodate their mining needs. (Corregan & Lingane, p. 404; Dunbar, p.277) Very fine. Est. $200-400

1703. Lake. Leadville. Chrysolite Silver MC. Incorporated in New York 1878. Issued to Noah Content for 100 shares, cert #6657, in 1881. Signed by R. M. Raymond president and Henry Cooper secretary. Vignette of several workers underground. Green border, paper and underprint. Location of mines Fryer Hill, Leadville, Colorado printed at top of certificate. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - American Bank Note, NY. See lot above for the story. Very fine. Est. $200-400

1704. Lake. Leadville. Cloud City MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to A. R. Forbes for 1 share, cert #2, in 1900. Signed by A. R. Forbes president and W. C. Reed secretary. Vignette at upper left of miners underground; small vignettes at each corner of miners. Black border with gilt seal and gold background design. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. Located in downtown Leadville on the east side of residence section. Very fine. Est. $50-100

1705. Lake. Leadville. Colorado Mine Dev Co. Incorporated in Colorado 1879. Issued to J. S. Loomis for 100 shares, cert #591, in 1880. Signed by John F. Humphreys president and John R. Mathews secretary. Vignette of steam powered windlass or hoist with man shoveling firewood in the engine. Below is a cross sectional view of mine with men working underground. Black border. Datelined Leadville, Colorado. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - Woodward, Herman & Hale. John F. Humphreys and six others obtained control of the Robert E. Lee mine at Leadville which became a big silver producer. Humphreys became mayor of Leadville and worked to end a miner's strike on June 8, 1880, just months before this certificate was issued. Also owned the Red Fox, Gray Fox, Honest John, Windsor and Gray Eagle claims that covered over 40 acres located on Mount Zion. (Corregan & Lingane, p. 405; Blair, 1980; Shannon, Min Rec) Very fine. Est. $150-300

1706. Lake. Leadville. Cons Kansas City Sm&Ref Co. Lot of 2. Unissued, 189x, cert #281 & 707. Unsigned. Unique vignette of two bears on either side of a seal that reads United We Stand Divided We Fall. Printed on certificate beneath vignette: Kansas City, MO, El Paso, Texas, Leadville, Colo. Brown and green borders. Man pulling cart filled with ore in underprint. Printer - American Bank Note. 8 X 11. Very fine. Est. $75-150.

1707. Lake. Leadville. Consolidated Kansas City Smelting & Refining Co. Coin, 1889. Round, (star) THE CONSOLIDATED KANSAS CITY SMELTING & REFINING CO. TO THE AMERICAN CONGRESS GREETING around outside / the heads of two men at center / 1889 // (star) RECIPROCITY (star) THE UNITED AMERICAS (star) COMMERCE (star) LOS AMERICAS UNIDAS around outside / picture at center of two robed figures holding hands. 38 mm. HK 731. AU. In 1889 one of Leadville's leading silver producers decided to lobby Congress about the value of silver to the American community. The company's stock was down, as production from Leadville had dropped as had their industry at their Kansas City operation for Missouri lead ores. Because of political maneuvering in Washington, silver was not allowed to be purchased by the western assay offices or mints in 1889. Only Philadelphia and New Orleans. Additionally, the 16:1 (silver to gold) arguments were again becoming an issue (the demonetisations of silver had been heavily debated for years.) The Company issued this medal to remind Congress of silver's importance to world commerce. [ref: Rothwell; 1890 Rpt of the Dir. of the Mint] Est. $100-200.

1708. Lake. Leadville. Continental Cons Mines Co. Incorporated in Wyoming. Issued to W. D. Thompson for 500 shares, cert #2893, in 1911. Signed by president and Marshall secretary. Black border with green seal. Uncancelled. 7 X 9. Printer - W. H. Kistler, Denver. See lot below for the story. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1709. Lake. Leadville. Continental MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1881. Issued to E. Moeser for 50 shares, cert #781, in 1883. Signed by J. M. Sheafor president and Joseph T. Ward secretary. Vignette at upper left of spread winged eagle with stars and stripes shield. Vignette at center right of Colorado State Seal. Vignette at right edge of cross sectional view of mine and shaft with miners working above and below ground. Black border with prominent gilt seal. Uncancelled. 10 X 10. Printer - Hamilton & Curl., Topeka, Kas. In 1881, there was a legal relocation of the Legal Tender Mine which brought a lot of interest to this spot. The new mine was Nellie S. and they shipped a lot of high-grade silver ore. New locations were made nearby and the Continental was one of them. It appears, though, that this mine never really got going, but it is still listed in Emmons et al. (Burchard, 1883, p.362; Emmons et al) Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

1710. Lake. Leadville. Crescent MC. Incorporated in New York 1881. Issued to Geo D. Gifford for 100 shares, cert #1143, in 1881. Signed by J. P. Whitney president and H. W. Wesson secretary. Vignette of miners working underground. Black border. Uncancelled. 7 X 9. Located on Carbonate Hill. The Crescent Mine was discovered by John McCombe in 1877 and was located on Carbonate Hill. The ore ran 10-35% lead and 20-30 oz/ ton silver. (Corregan & Lingane, p. 407; Griswold, 1957) Very fine. Est. $150-300

1711. Lake. Leadville. Crystal Lake M&M Co. Unissued, 189x, no cert #. Vignette of robed woman with lightning bolt in hands walking on North America. Green border and background with white underprint. 9 X 12. Printer - Wm F. Murphy's Sons Co, Philadelphia. The company is listed as incorporated in 1896 with offices in Leadville. (Dunbar, 1898) Very fine. Est. $20-40

1712. Lake. Leadville. Daisy Cons MC of Leadville, Colo. Incorporated in Colorado in 1880. Unissued, 188x. Black print on brown paper. Hole in signature line. 7 X 11. Printer - Wm. F. Murphy's Sons, Philadelphia. Owned a number of claims covering 65 acres in Big Evans Gulch on Mosquito Mountain in the California district. Contact veins 1 to 6 ft in width containing argentiferous galena in limestone, yielding, when sorted, 46 ounces silver per ton. Developments included about 1,500 ft of tunnels and 50 ft of drifts (Corregan & Lingane, p. 408) Very fine. Est. $150-250

1713. Lake. Leadville. Denver City Cons Silver MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1880. Issued to Charles Darbee for 200 shares, cert #396, in 1891. Signed by L. G. Dyes Jr. president and J. W. Hart secretary. Vignette of cabin with horse drawn carts and headframe all set in woods. Black border and print. Uncancelled. 9 X 12. Printer - C. & C. Litho, Denver. Owned a half interest in Denver City, Shamus O'Brien and Quadrilateral claims (the other half interest owned by Lee Basin MC) all on Fryer Hill, California district. The ore is mostly of lead carbonates producing 30-150 oz/ton. There are three shafts all about 300' deep. Extensive workings especially on the Denver City where a large ore body has considerable amounts of chlorides. Typically such high chloride content means a low silver/gold content. (Corregan & Lingane, 1883, p.408; Dunbar, 1898) Extremely fine. Est. $200-400

1714. Lake. Leadville. Derry Ranch Gold Dredging Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to William P. Bonbright for 90 shares, cert #1, in 1915. Signed by A. Wellesley president and Geo. Sommer secretary. Vignette at upper left of Colorado State Seal. Black border with gold gilt seal and gold background design. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes. Owned 125 acres of place ground in the Leadville area. They were moving 75,000 tons a month in 1918. (Mines Handbook, 1918, p.680) Wear to folds. Fine. Est. $25-50

1715. Lake. Leadville. Elgin Smelting Co. Incorporated in Colorado 1890. Issued to S. D. Wilder for 111.5 shares, cert #14, in 1893. Signed by A. Sherwin president and Samuel D. Wilder secretary. Vignette of miners underground with ore car and tracks. Black border and print. Cancelled by red pen. Elgin Smelting written in red pen above crossed out name of The Queen Mining. Leadville, Colorado printed on certificate. 7 X 11. Printer - F. H Taylor, Elgin Ills. The company operated a smelter on Stray Horse Gulch about one mile from Leadville. By, 1883, the smelter was leased and operated by Manville Sm. Co. (Corregan & Lingane, p.410) Very fine. Est. $150-300

1716. Lake. Leadville. Gold Fortune MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1879. Issued to C. G. Garfield for 2 shares, cert #919, in 1880. Signed by L. A. Buck vice president and A. J. Young secretary. Vignette of two miners working underground. Black border with gilt seal and prominent green underprint. Leadville, Lake County, Colorado printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 7 X 10. Not listed in Corregan & Lingane or Burchard. Minor wear to certificate, otherwise very fine. Est. $150-250

1717. Lake. Leadville. Golden Eagle MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Frank W. Graham for 1000 shares, cert #1333, in 1909. Signed by J. Bryant president and E. Cleveland secretary. Vignette of gold colored spread winged eagle. Gold border and seal. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. There is an Eagle claim within the California district near Leadville. (Emmons et al, 1927) Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

1718. Lake(?). Leadville(?). Golden Granite Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to W. S. Duncan for 49,997 shares, cert #4, in 1910. Signed by W. S. Duncan president and Frank A. Maxwell secretary. Vignette at upper left of a woman with American flag, eagle and shield. Black border with green seal. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes/C. F. Hoeckel B. B. Denver. Stub attached. No information found within our library concerning this company. There is a ghost town by the name of Granite located within the Leadville district. It was settled around 1860 with the discovery of placer gold. A rich history of gunfights and gold mining continued until around 1910, about the time of this certificate. (Eberhart, p.216) Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

1719. Lake. Leadville. Golden Rule Placer MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1901. Issued to Geo H. Curry for 400 shares, cert #28, in 1904. Signed by S. S. Curry president and C. G. Foster secretary. Vignette at top center of miners underground with vignettes at each edge and corner of miners. Black border with orange seal and underprint. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. There is a Golden Rule claim located within the California district near Leadville. The claim covers 7 acres. (Emmons et al, 1927) Very fine. Est. $25-50

1720. Lake. Leadville. Grafton Cons MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Mrs. S. Curran for 100 shares, cert #145, in 1901. Signed by president and John A. Ewing secretary. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Gold border with green underprint. Datelined Leadville, Colorado. Uncancelled. 7 X 10. Property located at Poverty Gulch. Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

1721. Lake. Leadville. Henry Matinez / 215 / Harrison / Ave. / Leadville / Colo // GF / 12 1/2¢ / IT. B, rd, b/b, 21mm. Au. Est. $25-50.

1722. Lake. Leadville. Hibernia Cons MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to Jas Kain for 100 shares, cert #12682, in 1881. Signed by O. Foster president and T. Gorman secretary. Vignette of antlered elk. Green border and background. Properties located in Lake County, Colorado. Uncancelled. 4 X 7. Right edge slightly worn. The Hibernia Silver MC only owned a fraction of the Hibernia claim. The Hibernia Cons MC must have owned the remainder. The Hibernia is located on Fryer Hill. (Corregan & Lingane, p.416) Very fine. Est. $150-300

1723. Lake. Leadville. Highland Chief Cons MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1879. Issued to S. H. Foss (vice president of the company) for 100 shares, cert #102, in 1879. Signed by U. A. Manners president and Horace Steele secretary. Vignette of several workers in underground setting. Green border and underprint. Highland Chief, Highland Mary, Robert Burns, Gilderoy, Aztec all printed around vignette. Cancelled by handwriting and signature cross out. 7 X 10. Printer - American Bank Note Co. Stains near bottom edge and spotted along all edges. Owned the Highland Chief, Highland Mary and Robt. Burns located on the summit of Breece Hill 3 miles from Leadville. Assayed at 30-50% lead and 15-30 oz/ton silver. There are more than 7 shafts with the deepest at 370'. Numerous tunnels and drifts and a 34 horse-power engine to raise ore. Daily shipments of ore average 15 tons. (Corregan & Lingane, p.417) Fine. Est. $250-400

1724. Lake. Leadville. Historic Leadville in Rare Photographs & Drawings, by Christian J. Buys. Dust jacket and plastic cover, both without any damage. Copyright 1997 by Buys. Published by Western Reflections, Inc. First Edition. 244 pp. Picture of an unknown building which endured a "winter fire," where water was pored over the building, resulting in "an eerie ice sculpture". Very good condition. Est.$50-100.

1725. Lake. Leadville. Imprinted Revenue RN Check Collection. Lot of 5 pcs. Bank of Leadville, Leadville, 1880; Merchants & Exchange Bank, Leadville, 1882; Bank of Leadville, Leadville, 1880; Lake County Bank, Leadville, 1879; Bank of Leadville, Leadville, 1879. Very fine. Est. $75-150

1726. Lake. Leadville. Independent District Cons Mines Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to John V. Covington for 240 shares, cert #62, in 1909. Signed by A. Lawfring President and Paul Buckley Secretary. Gold border, seal and safety print. Vignette of mining camp on treeless foothills with vignettes of miners to right and left. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - Goes/W. F. Robinson, Denver. The Independent claim was located in September 1879. It comprised about 8 acres in what was then termed the California district on California Gulch (Emmons, et al, 1927, pp. 335 & 342). Folds. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1727. Lake. Leadville. Iowa Gulch Mining Company of Leadville, Colorado. Incorporated in Colorado in 1879. Certificate # 7767 issued to W. R. Hunt for 1,000 shares in 1883. Datelined Philadelphia. Signed by President John Ruhl and Secretary B. Tucker. Uncancelled. Five vignettes: top center below masthead 7 men working with picks & shovels among boulders, steam train in background; top left of miner working underground; top right two huge tree trunks with sawyers in background; left middle Great Seal of Colorado; right middle Great Seal of Pennsylvania. Gold border, safety print and underprint on white paper. 9 x 12. Printer - Breuker & Kessler, Lith. Phila. The town of Leadville is located about 3 miles east of the Arkansas River on the ridge between the Evans Gulch and California Gulch, tributaries to the Arkansas. Iowa gulch is located south of California Gulch and about 3miles south of the town. Iowa Gulch was named by a party of prospectors who staked some claims there in 1860 after panning some colors from its gravels. They organized the Adams Mining District there and, although activity continued in the drainage for years, it was never a big producer, compared to other areas around Leadville (Blair, 1980, pp. 5, 10, 24). Slight discoloration at three corners, very fine. Est. $300-500.

1728. Lake. Leadville. Iron Silver MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to Mason & Smith for 100 shares, cert #8026, in 1882. Signed by Thos. T. Mason President and E. F. Cotting Asst-Secretary. Vignette of four miners working at surface with a horse and cabin in background. Orange border and underprint. Location of property Lake Co, Col printed on certificate. Cancelled by rubber stamp and cut-out at left edge. 7 X 9. Printer - American Bank Note. Mines included the Iron, Iron Hat, Luella, Tucson, Stone, Rock, Dome, and Seventy-Six mines, located two miles east of Leadville. These are considered the most productive mines on Iron Hill. Burchard (1882) states the Iron property is worked through two inclines and the Rock and Stone through two inclines and a shaft. At the eleventh level in the main incline, a large body of galena was disclosed in the lime formation. (Shannon, 1985; Blair, 1980; Emmons, 1886; Griswold, 1951). Minor stains along left edge. Very fine. Est. $200-400

1729. Lake. Leadville. Jocelyn MC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1880. Issued to Cyrus E. Staples for 1000 shares, cert #553, in 1881. Signed by Jocelyn President and T. F. Hance Secretary. Vignette of Colorado State Seal. Black print. Leadville and New York printed on certificate (office locations). Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - E. Wells Sackett & Rankin, NY. It may have been a placer mine, which were the majority of the mines in this district about 1879. By 1880, Leadville had produced 10 million ounces of silver. (Emmons) Extremely fine. Est. $150-300

1730. Lake. Leadville. Leadville Cons MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to West End Trust Co, Guardian of the Estate of Mary H. Button, "a feeble minded person" for 100 shares, cert #13605, in 1920. Signed by President and Burke Secretary. Vignette of prominent mountain man seated on horse with stream and buffalo in background. Black border. Uncancelled. 7 X 10. Printer - National Bank Note Co, NY. The company owned the Carbonate and a number of other claims on Carbonate Hill. The ore ran 25-50% lead and 25-200 ounces/ton silver. By 1882, the mine had nearly two miles of underground workings. This was one of the most important producing mines in the California district. They paid $316,000 in dividends. (Corregan and Lingane. 1883) Extremely fine. Est. $200-400

1731. Lake. Leadville. Leadville Directory, 1881. This hardbound directory gives list of City Officers, City Council Members, "Amusements", Hospitals, Fire Dept, etc. At the heading and footing of each alphabetically sorted page, is an advertisement for a local business, such as C. Boettcher, Hardware, Daniels, Fisher & Co.'s, Ovren & & Eldridge "for Fine Wall Paper", etc. Brown cover with black spine. Cover and first and last pages all have printed advertisements. Very nice condition, with only minor roughness to the edges of the cover. Spine slightly worn. 9 x 6. Est. $750-1500.

1732. Lake. Leadville. Leadville District M&MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Unissued, 190x, no cert #. Floral masthead. Gold border, seal, underprint and safety print. 6 X 11. Underprint vignette is of oil derricks and storage tanks and steam train. Presumably this company had intentions of mining in the Leadville district. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Extremely fine. Est. $15-30

1733. Lake. Leadville. Leadville Funny Money. Lot of 2 pcs. Days of '79 Re-enacted for the Benefit of Charity Fund, 1924, redeemable at the Elks Home. One is worth $100, other is worth $50. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1734. Lake. Leadville district. Leadville Mine Development Co. Inc. in CO, 1921. Certificate # 295 issued to George A. Olmstead for 100 shares in 1924. Signed by Pres Jesse MacDonald and Sec Jos. W. Clarke. Uncancelled. Vignettes: top center of mill buildings, headframe, mine rail lines, trestles and ore cars; at left 2miners working underground; at right 3 miners inspecting specimen. Black border with gold safety print and seal. 6 x 10. Printer - Goes. The company was a reorganization of the Prospect Mountain M & E. Co. and was backed by influential Leadville residents and the Chamber of Commerce. It was organized to drive a 7,000 ft tunnel through Canterbury Hill to crosscut veins believed to extend from Fryer hill. The intent was to revive the district by opening virgin ground and draining a large area of old workings. By 1923, the tunnel had been driven 1,970 ft and was making 1200 gallons of water per minute. By 1927 the tunnel had been extended to 4,165 feet (Mines Handbook, 1925, p. 738-39; 1931, p. 795-96). Checking at bottom, tears at folds, fine. Est. $25-50
1735. Lake. Leadville. Leadville Sterling Souvenir Spoons. Lot of 4. All 4 have "Leadville" engraved in bowl. 2 have miner's burros engraved in bowl. All four have handles with mining themes. One spoon has a shovel shaped bowl. One spoon is 3 1/4" long, the others approx. 4". Est. $200-400.
1736. Lake. Leadville. Leadville Water Co. Billhead. Incorporated in Colorado 1904. Paid by Newman & Rogers, receipt #73, for use of water from April 1 to July 1, 1904. Black border with black and red print. Water was a closely regulated commodity in the early days Leadville, especially in the commercial and residential sections. Very fine. Est. $15-30
1737. Lake. Leadville. Liquor Billhead 1903. Carl Nollenberger, Wines, Liquors and Cigars of Leadville. Sole Agent for Anheuser-Busch Brewing. Vignette of Anheuser-Busch Company logo. Very fine. Est. $15-30

1738. Lake. Leadville. Little Chief MC. Incorporated in New York. Issued to H. S. Babcock for 100 shares, cert #8770, in 1890. Signed by Thomas Tettladd President and Edward Gade Secretary. Vignette of miner underground with mule drawn ore cars. Green border and underprint. Location of mines; Fryer Hill, Leadville, Col printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 7 X 9. Printer - American Bank Note Co. Located in the California sub-district of Leadville. The Little Chief mine contains lead carbonates with assays of 10-30% lead and 20-100 ounces of silver per ton. Production in 1881 netted the company over $100,000, but was idle in 1882-3. (Corregan & Lingane, 1883, p.422) Very fine. Est. $150-300

1739. Lake. Leadville. Little Corinne Cons MC. Inc. in NY, 1880. Issued to G. de Lachasse for 200 shares, cert #595, in 1881. Signed by A. L. Arid President and W. F. Dana Secretary. Black border with gold seal on pink paper. Property located at Leadville, Colorado printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 5 X 7. Printer - Jas. Goodever, NY. The Little Corinne claim was located in September 1879. It comprised about 10 acres in what was then termed the California district on California Gulch (Emmons, et al, 1927, pp. 335 & 345; Blair, p. 7). Very fine. Est. $150-300

1740. Lake. Leadville. "Little Johnny Mine, Leadville" Sterling Souvenir Spoon. Picture of mine engraved in bowl. 3 1/2" spoon. Refers to Johnnie Brown, Molly Brown's husband, one of the first mines in Leadville. Mining theme on handle. Est. $100-150.

1741. Lake. Leadville. Mahala MC. Inc. in CO. Issued to Silas W. Ferguson for 10 shares, cert #675, in 1901. Signed by Julius Robinson President and Chas Haily Secretary. Fancy floral masthead. Black border and print with unique silver seal. Mines at Leadville, Colorado printed on certificate. Uncancelled. 6 X 10. Printer - Elgan Bank Note Denver. Minor wear to edges. Not an important producer until Leadville Deep Mines Co leased the property from 1922-31. Emmons described massive ore bodies 60 feet wide in the Mahala and neighboring Greenback mines. Lack of productivity early on is manifest by attached letters to this certificate. The letter was sent to Mr. Ferguson (issuee) at Worcester, Colo. stating, "..nothing is now being done on the Mahala mine, and under the present conditions of the metal markets, smelters and the large amount of water to be handled in this mine now, it not at all likely that anything will be done on the property for sometime to come." Dated Nov 7, 1902 and signed by R. Whead of the Mahala Mining Company. Very fine. Est. $200-300.

1742. Lake. Leadville. Maid of Erin Silver Mines Co. Inc. in CO.. Unissued, 19xx, cert #532. Vignettes at each edge. One of two prospectors inspecting rock samples, the other of three miners underground inspecting sample. Green border and underprint. Mines located at Leadville, Colorado. 7 X 10. Printer - American Bank Note Co NY. Very attractive certificate. The mine was located on Carbonate Hill and was discovered by John McCombe in 1877. By 1879 the shaft was down 193' in good ore. (Griswold, 1996) Extremely fine. Est. $50-100

1742A. Lake. Leadville. Map of the Leadville Mining District compiled from Official Records and other reliable sources. Charles F. Saunders, January 1901. 1" = 1200 feet. 332 x 44". numerous claim groups are colored. Hundreds of other claims shown. There is an index of mining company holdings at lower left. Shows an area of 56 square miles bounded by the Arkansas River to the north, the crest of the Mosquito Range to the east, Leadville to the west, and Little Union Gulch to the south. Excellent condition. Est. $400-600.
1743. Lake. Leadville. The May Department Stores Co. Inc. in NY, 1910. 2 certificates issued in 1940, to Tom May for 70 shares and Anita May for 100 shares. Pres Morton J. May and Sec S. B. Butler signatures printed on certificates. Presumably Tom and Anita are related to the original May. Both are canceled with hole punches. Vignette of spread-winged bald eagle perched on beehive. Purple (70 share certificate) and blue (100 share certificate) borders and underprint. 8 x 12. Printer - ABN. This chain has department stores throughout the country. David May opened the first store of what was to become the May Department Stores Co. in Leadville , Colo. in 1877. He and his brothers purchased some other department stores in the 1890's and in 1905 moved the company headquarters to St. Louis. The company incorporated in 1910 and continued to make acquisitions of other stores for the next 9 decades. Today, the company has outlets in nearly every state under numerous names. Includes a 1 page summary of the corporate history downloaded from the Internet. These were the only two certificates to surface with the May Co. archive of about 2500 pieces. Est. $50-150

1744. Lake. Leadville. Metropolitan Exploration Co. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to John S. Silous for 1500 shares, cert #303, in 1921. Datelined Denver. Signed by J. F. Sitterle President and Secretary (illegible). Vignette of spread-winged eagle clutching stars and stripes shield with train and sunset in background. Brown border. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. Printer - W. H. Kistler. Datelined Denver. Colorado. The Metropolitan mine is located on the north slope of Mt. Zion about 5 miles from Leadville. (Corregan & Lingane, 1883, p.426) Very fine. Est. $25-50

1745. Lake. Leadville. Midas SMC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Edward S. Ely for 100 shares, cert #56, in 1881. Signed by Morgan Wise President and S. B. Hayward Secretary. Vignette of Capitol Building. Black border. Uncancelled. 6 x 9. Printer - Stewart, Haring & Warren, NY. We were able to find several different locations with the name Midas, but all of these were gold producing mines or companies, not silver. We believe that this company was located with the Leadville District. could find no reference to this company among our resources. Very fine. Est. $150-300

1746. Lake. Leadville. Miner Boy MC. Incorporated in Colorado 1879. Issued to D. F. Kobbe for 100 shares, cert #866, in 1881. Signed by A. A. McLeod President and Gerhart Secretary. Vignette of miners working underground. Black border with green background. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - Hatch Lith Co, NY. Folds. Located on eastern slope of Breece Hill just above Evans Gulch. The mine was located March 27, 1879 by Peter Conley, M. C. Kennedy, James Dahoney, J. Buchanon, H. Leaser and Dennis Sullivan who sold it on June 17, 1879 to A. A. McLeod for $75,000. The mine soon had three shafts, down 490' 5 levels and 250' of tunnels producing 20 tons per day. Assay showed 1029 ounces of silver, and 945 ounces of gold per ton. The minerals produced were pyrargyrite, free gold and tetrahedrite. By 1880, the mine was employing 35 miners with assaying showing the ore was producing 600 ounces of gold per ton. (Griswold, 1996; Shannon, Min Rec v16, No 3 1985) Foxing along edges. Very fine. Est. $150-300

1747. Lake. Leadville. Monographs of the US Geological Survey. Vol. XII. Geology and Mining Industry of Leadville, Colorado (without atlas), by Samuel Franklin Emmons. No dust jacket or plastic cover. Copyright 1886. Published by Washington Government Printing Office. 770 pp., including index. Cover somewhat damaged. Worn at corners. Black ink marks on page edges. Good Condition. Maps and Plates of Leadville mining areas. Est. $200-400.

1748. Lake. Leadville district. Mount Sheridan Mining Company of Leadville, Colorado. Incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1879. Certificate # 664 issued to C. B. McKeon for 100 shares in 1881. Datelined Philadelphia. Signed by President J. S/ Doreghty and Secretary W. D. Huntley. Uncancelled. Two vignettes lower corners, both of above and below ground scenes with men at surface operating windlasses and 5 to 6 miners underground. Black border on white paper. 9 x 12. Printer - Breuker & Kessler, Lith., Phila. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Folds, some tears at fold edges, soiled at left edge, holes worn through "SHARES" Fine. Est. $200-500

1749. Lake. Leadville. "Off for the Mines, Leadville, Colo" Sterling Souvenir Spoon. Bowl engraved with picture of miner and pack mule. Initial "P" engraved at top of spoon handle. 4 1/2". Est. $100-150.

1750. Lake. Leadville. Ottawa Consol. MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to A. H. B. Harenc for 625 shares, cert #17, in 1883. Datelined Leadville, Colo. Signed by John S. Campion President and S. F. Terhune Secretary. Vignette of miners working underground with pick axes. Gold border and underprint. Uncancelled. 6 X 9. Printer - Herald Printing, Leadville, Colo. John S. Campion is also president of the Denver Steamboat Construction Co (see that lot in Denver, for biography) We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Folds. Extremely fine. Est. $150-250

1751. Lake. Leadville. Reindeer Mining & Milling Co. Incorporated in Colorado 1895. Issued to R. G. Riddett for 14,311 shares, cert #92, in 1900. Signed by Chas W. Lawton President and R. G. Riddett Secretary. Vignette of mining camp in forest with building and horse drawn carts and a headframe over shaft. Black border with gold seal and underprint. Datelined Denver, Colorado. Uncancelled. 8 X 11. We could find no reference to this company among our resources other than it was located in Lake County. Folds Very fine. Est. $25-75

1752. Lake. Leadville. (Leadville) Schneiders / (star) / Bank / Saloon // GF / 5¢ / Drink. Brass, triangular, 28 mm, fine. Est. $100-200.

1753. Lake. Leadville. Terre Haute & Big Raccoon SMC. Incorporated in Indiana. Unissued, 1881. Vignette of Labrador dog lying down with safe & key. Datelined Bridgeton, Ind. Black border and print. We are taking a guess that this company was in Leadville. They probably never got off the ground. Very fine. Est. $25-50

1754. Lake. Leadville district. Union Leasing and Mining Co. Incorporated in Colorado in 1892. $500 Debenture bond # 1661 issued to Norman Estey in 1896. Signed by President S. W. Mudd and Treasurer H. J. Higgins. Green border, underprint and seal. 9 x 12. Printer - Denver Lith. Slight yellowing at folds and edges. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Very fine. Est. $125-250

1755. Lake. Leadville. Vanderbilt Cons MC. Incorporated in Colorado. Issued to Dale Spooner for 500 shares, cert #111, in 1882. Signed by J. L Martin as Vice-President and Chas. Graham as Secretary. Datelined Philadelphia. Vignette at upper top of miners working above ground with picks; vignette at left edge is a cross section of a mine shaft with miners above and below ground. Green border and underprint, black print on pink paper. Printer - Breuker & Kessler. Uncancelled. 10 X 12. The Vanderbilt Cons held the Vanderbilt claim on Yankee Hill in the California district one-half mile from Leadville. It is a fairly low grade ore deposit for Leadville, running only 15% lead and 10 oz/ton silver (Burchard). Extremely fine. Est. $200-4000

1756. Lake. Leadville. Willbray GMC. Incorporated in Colorado in 1896. Issued to Adile H. Barger for 500 shares, cert #367, in 1896. Signed by James Rico as President and W. E. Sharpe as Secretary. Vignette of silver bars at upper left. Mines at Leadville printed under vignette. Rust color border. Uncancelled. 7 X 10. Printer - E. A. Wright, Bank Note Engravers, Phila. We could find no reference to this company among our resources. Very fine. Est. $50-150

1757. Lake. Leadville. "The Yak, Leadville, Colo" with picture of Yak engraved in bowl. Probably the Yak mine, a famous producer. Mining themed handle on front, ranching scenes on back. Maker: "MS". 4". Est. $100-150.