NEVADA

270.   SOLD   Nevada. Nevada, Land of Silver by John Powell, 1876, San Francisco. 305pp plus advertisements. Gilt boards, gilt on spine worn. Corners rubbed, but not bad. 6 x 9” Powell’s book contains a wealth of information published at a time when the great Con-Virginia and California bonanzas were just starting to run out, but nobody knew it yet. Chapters on prominent districts, illustrations of milling equipment, discussions of minerals, towns and the business climate were designed to entice the reader to make the journey to Nevada. Rare. $500

271.   SOLD    Nevada. 14 linen post cards from the WW II era that are Nevada Greeting cards.  Slogans such as “Greetings from Nevada” and Greetings from: Reno, Las Vegas, Boulder Dam, etc. Very colorful, with scenes from the specific places around and in the large letters. $35

272.    Nevada. Report of the State Mineralogist. 1866 (Stretch), 1867-8, 1868-9, 1873-4. The first and last are soft bound, the center two are hard bound together. These are simply the most important of the early information on mining in Nevada. They were never fully summarized in later works.  Browne, Raymond, and Lincoln all used parts of them, but never assimilated all the data. These are the references I usually site when researching the early Nevada stocks or companies. They have no indexes. Generally very fine. $800.

273.  SOLD    Nevada. Churchill. 60 miles west of Rochester.  Fortuna Grubstake MC.  Promotional flyer.  Incorporated in Nevada 1917.  This is a 4 page promotional flyer to sell shares in the company.  Inside is a very rough diagrammatic cross section of the workings.  The company is listed in the 1920 Mines Handbook as being idle.  Printer - J. W. Marsh & Co.  Very fine, 4 pp.  $65

274.  SOLD    Nevada. Churchill. Boyer.  Boyer-Nevada Copper Co.  Prospectus.  Incorporated in Arizona 1908.  This company  had claims in Boyer, Nevada including the Nevada Queen, Mammoth and Colorado King.  It does not appear at the time of printing that ore production was very strong.  The prospectus emphasizes the need for a milling plant and the capital required to do so.  The company was idle by 1910 (Mines Handbook).  Right edge worn with several pieces missing.  Fine, soft cover, 8 pp.  $85

275.  SOLD    Nevada. Douglas. Young’s. Osceola G&S MC stock certificate, incorporated in Nevada 1864, issued 1864 to Martha Olds for 25 shares, signed by  J. Van Ness Young as president and M. Saramkin as secretary. Printed by Towne and Bacon. Red underprint background, adhesive revenue stamp (power of Atty). Mining vignette at top center. Uncancelled. 5 x 10”.  Young 1826-1912, was born in New York, and moved to Michigan in 1836. He lived in Rass Lake until 1860, when he moved to Nevada for the Comstock silver rush. In 1868 he moved to San Luis Obispo. Young’s Crossing was on the East Walker River at about the Nevada-California border. He also had a house there and charged a toll, which would have affected any miners in the Silver Mountain region coming to Nevada. The district is not mentioned in Stretch. It is probably related to the Eagle district later called Gardnerville, or Genoa district, both of which were active in the early 1860’s.  This is the only piece we have ever seen from this obscure district. $950.

276.    Nevada. Elko. J. T., Elko, Nev. Aqua blob soda bottle, mint. Circa 1870.  James Talbot was one of the pioneer soda water manufacturers in Nevada.  He was one of the few who braved the high desert and uncertain business conditions of Elko, a very small community that sprang up in 1868 with the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad. His gamble paid off, and his business continued for 22 years. He got started about 1869. About 1870, he had his embossed bottles made and in great promotional fashion, dropped off a case of the soda water to the Elko Independent newspaper office in the heat of summer, gratis. The promo paid off, and the paper gave him a favorable write-up, even though the business did not allow him enough extra to advertise. I never found a single advertisement for Talbot or a listing in any directory for his soda water business. These bottles are truly extremely rare. I know of only four mint examples and two damaged bottles.  The style of lettering is in the old west block letter style. It is a classic. [ref: FH] $6500.

277.  SOLD    Nevada. Elko. Island Mountain.  Gold Creek Placer’s Inc.  Promotional flyer, glossy, 1938, for the Gold Creek Placers Inc.  They claim to have held 5,000 acres of prime gold rich gravels valued at $0.60 per yard.  Included is a well written history of the area and several testimonials reinforcing the validity of the operation.  Excellent condition, soft cover, 3 pp.  $65

278.    Nevada. Elko. Tuscarora.   Henry F. Schuldt, Tuscarora, Nevada drug store bottle with Schuldt’s monogram at left. Mint.  Schuldt ran his drug store on the corner of Weed and Main from about 1878 to 1879.  It was the center of town in a very nice mining community with stone and brick buildings lining the business section, and nice Victorian houses in the residential section. Tuscarora is an isolated mining camp in Elko County, tucked in at the foot of mountains. The mines there produced enough gold to fuel a ten year spurt from about 1877-1887, though mining continued for thirty years.  In recent times, a small open pit mine was put in just on the lower edge of town.  Few of the buildings survive today, but those that did are all occupied with a friendly community. Schuldt appears to have sold out at the top of the boom, moving on to Nevada City. There is also an embossed drug store bottle from Nevada City that is extremely rare. This bottle is very rare, with about a dozen specimens surviving. It is considered one of the classic ghost town bottles, along with Delamar and Seven Troughs. [Ref: FH] $750.

279.    Nevada. Esmeralda. Aurora. Esmeralda Herald, 1879 newspaper. 4pp on very brittle acid paper, but all original. Frank Kenyon, editor and publisher.  Has advertisements all over from local merchants, and some local news. Great for framing or research. We have two full papers at $100 each, or one front page only at $50.

280.   SOLD   Nevada. Esmeralda. Aurora.  Photopostcard from Aurora.  The scene is of what is apparently family taken in front of their house.  A buckboard is in the background as well as several feet of snow.  C.1900.  Excellent condition.  $50

281.   SOLD   Nevada. Esmeralda. Goldfield.  1907 Market letter of the January Jones Co.  The purpose of the market letter is to reinforce the financial accomplishments of the company in the developing, managing and selling of mines and mining companies.  This edition focuses on the Goldfield district, specifically the development of the most recent lease of the Cornishman.  There are excellent photos included within and a claim map.  Relatively objective for a promotional flyer.  A table of current stock prices of mining companies ending the week of Jan 19, 1907 can be found on page 4.  Some tearing along folds and creases.  Right edges worn, otherwise fine condition.  4 pp.  $100

282.  SOLD    Nevada, Esmeralda. Goldfield. Enterprise Mercantile, Goldfield, Nevada ceramic cork top printed in red. Dates from about 1905 and probably went on a whiskey bottle. $25

283.  SOLD    Nevada. Esmeralda. Goldfield.  Goldfield Black Buttes Mining Co. prospectus, c 1904. Green covers, foldout panorama of Goldfield circa 1903-4 without large buildings. Each page has a photograph opposite text describing the company’s property. Very early and mint condition. $150. 

284.   SOLD   Nevada.  Esmeralda.  Goldfield.  Goldfield Fortune MC.  Incorporated c. 1904-05.  Promotional flyer put out by F. Ellsworth Vail of New York.  There are 4 photographs of early goldfield.  A true promotion.  This company is not listed in the Mines Handbooks.  Very fine.  4 pp.  $65

285.  SOLD    Nevada.  Esmeralda. Goldfield.  Goldfield Mascot MC.  Printed in 1906, this is a promotional prospectus for the Goldfield Mascot Mining Co that claimed to have owned the Mascot, Creseus, Eugenia and Lady Roxburgh properties located halfway between Diamondfield and Goldfield.  This company is not listed in the Copper Handbooks of 1906,08 and most likely never got off the ground.  Excellent condition, soft cover, 16 pp.  $65

286.  SOLD    Nevada. Esmeralda. Goldfield.  Forward Mining Devel Co.  Promotional Flyer.  Contains a map and seven photographs depicting the early days of mining at Goldfield. Articles from Reno and local papers describe the history of the Goldfield camp, and focus on the production from the leading claims, such as the January, Sandstorm, Kendall, Jumbo, Florence, and Combination. One particularly hair-raising photograph shows an over-loaded “shot” casting fifty-pound boulders out of a shallow shaft toward a tent right alongside, captioned: “Blast Throwing Ore Into The Air. This Claim Produces Ore Up to $10,000 Per Ton.” (Also up to 200 feet AGL. At least at that rate, they can afford a new tent. - ed).  Excellent condition, soft cover, 24 pp.  $75

287.  SOLD    Nevada. Esmeralda. Goldfield.  Forward Mining Devel Co.  This is a promotional pamphlet promoting the endeavors of the company.  The key here is promotion.  The Forward Mining Devel Co is not listed in any of the Mines Handbooks.  The back cover of the pamphlet shows a photo of the Combination Mine and Mill of Goldfield and there are several pages expounding on how well other companies have done in the district.  There is no indication of the location of their properties or mines or their intentions to acquire them.  Very fine, some discoloration of front cover, 11 pp.  $65

288.  SOLD    Nevada, Esmeralda, Goldfield. Lime Green pony Brookfield insulator and wood screw peg . This insulator was collected directly from the side of the Goldfield Hotel in 1964 by Rod Stock with permission. It probably dates from 1910-1920. Mint, very pretty. $25

289.   SOLD   Nevada. Esmeralda. Hornsilver.  Southwestern Mines Co.  A promotional report for the Southwestern Mines Co. with a folded map of the district in the back.  The report is a typed, personal report by J. K. Turner of Goldfield and S. H. Brady of Tonopah.  There are no dates but must be c. 1914-15.  The company was defunct by 1922 as the property was taken over by the Nevada Silver Mines Co (Mines Handbook, 1930).  Right edge a little worn.  Very fine.  8 pp.  $175

290.  SOLD    Nevada. Esmeralda. Silver Peak.  Big Four Silver Peak M & MC.  This is a promotional flyer touting the properties of the newly formed Big Four Silver Peak M & MC.  The flyer is completely designed by Whittinghill & Coble of Redkey, Indiana.  The company is reported to own the Gold Crown, Gold Wedge, White Butte and Valley View claims.  There are several photographs showing adits and properties, a map of the claims and two assay reports with 1906 dates.  There is no listing for this company in the Mines Handbook surrounding that date.  The second piece in this lot is an aggressive letter from the promoting company claiming that the stock prices are already climbing and not to miss out.  Tears along folds of both pieces.  The pages of the first piece are detached.  Fine, soft cover, 20 pp.   $100

291.  SOLD    Nevada. Esmeralda. Weepah.  Photographs of Weepah, ca 1926-7.  Several photographs of Weepah during the “gold rush of 1927”.  53 photographs total showing various places along the Nevada-California border and shots of family members.  Although, the Tonopah-Goldfield mining camps are well documented, there are scarce photos of the Weepah area of Esmeralda Co.  Weepah is located approx. 20 miles east of Silver Peak, NV or 30 miles southwest of Tonopah.  Photos are mounted within an album of black paper tied at the binding.  Excellent condition of photos.  $300

292.   SOLD   Nevada. Eureka. Eureka.  Eureka Uncle Sam Cons MC.  This promotional letter is dated May, 1920. By 1923, the company was reorganized with a subsequent name change to Eureka-Hamburg Mining Co.  According to the Mines Handbook (1930), all properties were sold off in 1925 and the company was reported dormant by in 1930.  Very fine, some stains at upper right, 3 pp.  $50

293.  SOLD    Nevada. Humboldt. Potosi. Getchell Mine Inc.  Written by Geo Wingfield, 1958 was a tough year for Getchell Mine Inc.  There was no gold mining or production and the government reneged on buying anymore domestic tungsten, a by-product of the mining process there.  The company sold an embarrassing $9,000 worth of molybdenum.  That year Getchell Mine operated with an $80,000 deficit and went on to struggle through the 1960’s.  Excellent condition, illustrated, soft cover, 8pp. $25

294.    Nevada. Humboldt. Rochester. Nevada Mining News. Eleven different issues, January 8, 1916 through May 15, 1916 consisting of Vol. 5, numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14.  All of the issues center on articles about Rochester mines.  The Nevada Mining News was a bi-weekly publication of the G. S. Johnson Company, a mining investment firm. They held two offices, one in Reno, and the other in San Francisco.  The paper was datelined in Reno.  The Company reported in their masthead that they took articles from correspondents in Nevada and California.  They attempted to write about active mining companies, but clearly were also promoting the companies’ own interests, which was generally done in the form of advertising.  Each of the newsletters contains at least one photograph, and sometimes numerous photos. At least one has a fairly detailed map of mining claims and company holdings in Rochester. Much of the information present is about activity at Lincoln Hill in Rochester.  The Nevada Mining News was published from about 1911 to about 1916. Lingenfelter and Gash in Nevada Newspapers report only a few issues known, and this run about doubles that number. About half of those here were previously unreported. No issues are known prior to 1916. The papers contain about 8 pp each and are in good condition.  $550.

295.   SOLD   Nevada. Humboldt. Rye Patch.  Prudential MC.  Incorporated in Arizona.  A promotional letter most likely directed to a Pennsylvania audience.  This is one of the more blatant scam’s that we can document.  The Mines Handbook of 1906 states that this company is idle; Mines Handbook 1908 states that the company is probably “moribund”; and by 1910, the Mines Handbook has the company defunct.  Within the promotional flyer they offer a testimonial dated 1908.  There is a photograph of the property with pencil and pen marks marking the boundaries (as shown in scan at right).  Tears along folds and creases.  Very fine.  4 pp.  $55

296.  SOLD    Nevada. Humboldt. Winnemucca. T. C. Hanson, M. D., Eagle Drug Store, Winnemucca, Nev. Aqua square drug bottle 4” high and 1.25” square. Minor interior stain. No chips.  Hanson was a San Francisco doctor, having received his M.D. at Tolland College in Maine in 1867. In 1872 he was off to Mineral Hill, where a small mining boom took place. Without sufficient work there, probably as a company doctor for the Mineral Hill Mining Co, he moved to nearby Winnemucca, where he stayed for the rest of his life with his family.  He started the Eagle Drug store in 1882 and ran it until his death in 1902. It is the only drug store bottle from Nevada embossed by a druggist that was also an M.D. It is known in about three sizes and is rare in any. $300

297.  SOLD    Nevada. Lander. Battle Mountain.  Nevada Copper Butte Mines Co.  This c. 1910 prospectus of the Nevada Copper Butte Mines Co is a promotional pamphlet to potential investors in the companies holdings at Trenton Canyon.  It is very interesting that a date of 1910 is reported within the pamphlet. Yet, the Mines Handbook reports this company as idle in 1908 and dead by 1910.  Excellent condition.  14 pp.  $50

298.  SOLD    Nevada. Lander. Lewis.  Betty O’Neal Mines, The New Mill.  Informational pamphlet on the Betty O’Neal Mines, especially the new mill, includes several photographs, c.1922.  Several other stories are included.  See lot below for more information.  Edges worn.  Fine, 4 pp.  $65

299.   SOLD   Nevada. Lander. Lewis. Betty O’Neal Mines, 1923 Annual Report. Prospectus.  Incorporated in 1920.  The Betty O’Neal Mines, located 12 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, NV, near the short-lived camp of Lewis, Nevada.  A mill was in operation from 1922-28 producing an average $14/ton.  In 1929, the price of silver dropped significantly forcing activities to cease.  In that same year, the company merged with the Gold Circle Cons Mines Co.  The mines produced over $2 million by 1930.  However, by 1932, all production ceased, the local post office closed and today the site is a ghost town.  Extremely fine, soft cover, 15 pp.  $65

300.  SOLD    Nevada. Lincoln. Pioche.  Pioche Mines Co.  Promotional Flyer.  Probably incorporated in 1922, succeeded in 1928 by the Pioche Mines Consolidated.  There is no mention of the reorganization within the report.  Includes several testimonials to the condition and quality of ore.  The reorganization involved acquisition of the properties formerly operated by the Raymond-Ely MC and Yuba Leasing & Dev. Co.  Includes six pages of photographs presumably of the mining operations.  Right edge slightly worn.  Very fine condition.  9 pp.  $45

301.  SOLD    Nevada. Lincoln. Pioche.  Prince Cons. M&SmC.  Incorporated in Utah 1923 as a reorganization of Prince Cons. Mng & Sm Co.  Two personal geologic reports of the Prince Consolidated Mine in Pioche.  The first report attempts to estimate the cost of production to advance 8 ft/day authored by George C. Heikes.  The second report includes diamond drill log and assay reports authored by C. R. Hagen.  The company was defunct by 1949.  Excellent condition.  [ref: Mines Hdbk] 10 pages.  $90

302.  SOLD    Nevada. Lincoln. Pioche. Prince Cons. M&SmC.  Prospectus.  Includes two 15”x8.5” photo-panoramas showing the mine, mill, and other buildings. Located on the west slope of the hill behind Pioche, the Prince shipped more than $300,000 in 1918. The community which grew up around the Prince was known as Castleton, a name coined by Herbert Hoover, who was a principal in the Combine metals Reduction Co., the Prince’s chief competitor.  Printer - J. W. Edmunds & Co.  Excellent condition.  10 pp.  $75

303.   SOLD   Nevada. Lincoln. Pioche.  Raymond & Ely MC, 1872 Annual Report.  Reports on three mines owned near Pioche, NV - the Vermillion, Burk, Creole, and Panaca. Using a 20 stamp mill, these mines produced $906,219.25 in bullion in 1871, justifying the addition of ten more stamps to the mill. Includes a detailed description of development in each mine for the year by C.W. Lightner, the mine superintendent. This was by far the most important mine in the district.  On a whimsical note, this report seems to have lain about the kitchen of a home, and was used by a  wife to jot a note to her husband on the back, in blue crayon, “Bud, eat that meat in cellar.”  Very fine.  18 pp.  $300

304.    Nevada. Lincoln. Yellow Pine.  Nevada Keystone Mine Co.  A promotional letter with a descriptive account of the geology at the properties of the Nevada Keystone Mine authored by Carl Anderson.  The layout of the document is similar to a promotional flyer, but the science is sound.  There are three hand drawn cross sections included.  The assays reported are for gold.  The date of the document is most likely c.1927-8, as well the life span of the company.  Edges worn. Fine condition. Outstanding document for historical research.   6 pp.  $350

305.    Nevada. Lyon. Ina Ledge G&S MC stock certificate. Incorporated in California in 1863, issued that year to James O’Donnell for ten shares, signed by F. Seully as president and J. McCiolle as secretary. Printed by Drouaillet, SF. 5.25 x 9” Vignette of hills around Gold Canyon. “Lyon Dist., Nev. Ter.” Uncancelled. Piece missing at left and along fold in right quarter affecting the word “Mining” in the masthead. The Ina ledge and the Lyon District are not mentioned in Stretch (1866) or Marlette (1865). It is also not on any of the list of active mines. They are not on the Becker Map of the Comstock (1883). My only guess is that the property is in Lyon County, probably near the Lyon/Storey County line in Gold Canyon. Fermein Seully was a partner in a large wine & liquor store in San Francisco. James O’Donnell ran a saloon in San Francisco. Seully had formed this mining company, which was without much merit, and was selling shares to his clients – in this case a saloon owner. $450

306.    Nevada. Lyon. Washington District. Flora Gold & Silver MC stock certificate, incorporated in Nevada in 1863, issued 1863 to Hilaire Clouet for 10 shares, signed by David Brittin as president and H. Larichelieve as secretary. Datelined Dayton, Lyon Co., N.T. No printer shown. 5 x 10” Light blue lined underprint, eagle with western setting vignette at top center, dog with safe at bottom center. Some discoloration with age, minor foxing, folds.  The district is not listed in Stretch, 1866. No revenue stamp. The camp at the Washington District may have had these three men as residents since they are not listed in Kelley’s 1863 Directory, nor is the Washington District listed in the historical sketch, and the company is not listed on the extensive corporation list. $950.

307.   SOLD   Nevada. Lyon. Yerington.  Nevada-Douglas Copper Co.  Incorporated in Utah 1906.  This 1906-07 geologic report of the Nevada-Douglas Copper Co’s properties is the highlight of the companies history.  The properties were considered to contain the richest ore in the Yerington district with very favorable write-ups in early editions of the Mines Handbooks.  In 1915, the Nevada-Douglas Copper Co merged with the Moore Mining Co to form the Nevada-Douglas Consolidated Copper Co.  By 1918, the Mines Handbook reports that the management is performing as well as anticipated, and by 1930, there had been no communication with the Nevada-Douglas Copper Co for over 5 years and was presumed idle or dormant.    Excellent condition.  16 pp.  $100

308.   SOLD   Nevada. Mineral. Rand.  Nevada Rand Mine Co.  A promotional testimonial written in 1925 by S. E. Montgomery, U. S. Mineral Surveyor and Mining Engineer of Reno.   The testimonial describes production, geology, ore zones and recommendations for future work.  See lot below for more detail on the Nevada Rand Mines Co.  Excellent condition.  1 p. $25

309.  SOLD    Nevada. Mineral. Rand. Nevada Rand Mine Co.   Incorporated in Nevada 1916.  A 1925 promotional letter advertising the release of 50,000 shares at $0.50 each.  They held 7 lode properties.  The Mines Handbook initially claims this company has a promising future (1918).  By 1928, the Mines Handbook report is a little less enthusiastic stating the in 1927 the “Nevada Rand Mine was sold in October 1927 by the sheriff to satisfy a judgment for $2,500 and costs obtained by the company’s creditors.” (p. 1545).  It was purchased by R. J Randall, who is believed to be the founder of Rand, now a ghost town in the Gabbs Valley.  A post office was opened in 1915 and was closed in 1935.  Several small tears along left edge.  Very fine.  4 pp.  $40

310.  SOLD    Nevada. Mineral. Rawhide.  Original Color Map of the Claims of the Rawhide District.  Shows hundreds of mining claims.  By Sierra Engraving Co, Reno.  Printed with “Compliments of the Nevada Mining News”.   24 X 36”.  Shows Rawhide Regent and Reward town sites.  Scale 1”=1000ft.  Delicate fold edges.  Very fine.  Spectacular and rare. $600

311.  SOLD    Nevada. Nye. Bullfrog.  American Magazine of Mining and Investment, vol. IV, no. 6, June 1905, published by the Empire Publishing Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.  84 pp magazine, 6 x 9” format, three color cover. The lead article is on a mineral display at the Lewis and Clark Exhibition in Portland.  There are lengthy articles on mining activity in Arizona (3.5 pp- some in the front, and some in the back section), California (2 pp), Oregon (4 pp-also split between front and back sections), Washington (1.5 pp), Wyoming (1p), Alaska (1/2p), Utah (1p), Nevada (1.5 pp), New Mexico (1p), Michigan (1p), So. Dakota (1 p), Montana (1p), Idaho (1 p), and a large article on Colorado (24 pp).  The center is a two page advertisement for Bullfrog properties, and there are photographs of the National Bank in Bullfrog and numerous Colorado properties.  There are several articles on Bullfrog properties.  About 15% of the magazine is advertising about various mining properties by investment companies. Very fine. $75

312.   SOLD   Nevada. Nye. Manhattan.  Manhattan Bulls-Eye MC.  Promotional letter for the Manhattan Bull’s-Eye MC and the Great Manhattan MC, essentially run by the same directors.  The interesting aspect to this flyer is that it is put out by the John H. Pape & Co who are bankers and brokers of mining companies.  There is  a 16”x12” map of the Manhattan District showing claims and the town site. This was used as a working map by someone, as claims have been sketched in with pencil, and producing veins added in red ink.  The companies are not listed in the Mines Handbooks.  Edges worn.  Small tears along folds.  Very fine condition.  4 pp.  $70 

313.  SOLD    Nevada. Nye. Manhattan. Manhattan Rattler MC.  Promotional Flyer. Incorporated in Arizona 1906.  A straightforward account of the potential for the six Rattler claims, in the heart of the Manhattan district. Contains a description of the property, a map of the claims, assay reports, and an engineer’s report. The ore is described as free-milling gold in a granulated quartz porphyry, with values as high as $82.50 per ton.  Printer - A. J. Johnston Co. Sacramento, CA.  Right edge of cover missing small pieces.  Fine condition.  8 pp.  $65

314.   SOLD   Nevada. Nye. Manhattan.  Original Manhattan Mine, A Brief Summary by C. C. Boak.  This is truly a brief summary of data for the Original Manhattan Mine and dated as 1/30/38.  A note is paper clipped to the report stating “Etrupe & Collins discussed this with Boak in early May, but  it  was inopportune for them to visit property.”  A third page is attached to rear that states “  Accompanying Notes by George L. Ferrick, E. M.  Extremely fine.  Soft cover, 3 pp.  $50

315.   SOLD   Nevada, Nye. Manhattan district. Ralston Valley Gold and Copper Co. stock certificate. Incorporated in South Dakota in 1906, issued 1907 to E. Maden for 5000 shares, signed by J. B. Griffen as president and C. T. Lawrence as secretary. Printed by Goes. 5.5 x 10”, typical three mining vignettes of Goes. Gold seal. Uncancelled. Datelined Manhattan. Ralston Valley is a huge valley near Belmont, that stretches from 60 miles south of the north line of the county all the way to the southern line. It was named after a pioneer, James Ralston, who starved to death in the valley in 1864. The mine was probably a prospect somewhere in the hills on the edge of the valley. [ref; Carlson] $45

316.   SOLD   Nevada. Pershing.  Cinnabar City MC.  Prospectus.  Incorporated in Nevada 1940.  The Cinnabar City Mining Co was formed after the purchase of all property of the defunct American Almaden Mining Co located 35 miles northeast of Lovelock, NV.  The report is well written with a history of the area, geology and production plans.  The company is not listed in the 1946 Mines Handbook.  Excellent condition, soft cover, 15 pp.  $65

317.   SOLD   Nevada. Pershing. Seven Troughs.  Seven Troughs Gold Mines Co. Map.  A 1930 map of the underground workings at the Coalition & Mazuma Hills Mines of the Seven Troughs Gold Mines Co.  Incorporated in Nevada 1927.  As of 1929 (Mines Handbook), the company controlled 57 patented and 67 unpatented claims totaling 1800 acres.  The district was dead by 1946 (Mines Handbook).  Tears along folds, some rips along edges.  Very fine.  1 page.  $50

318.   SOLD   Nevada, Storey. Gold Hill tax and money receipts, 1863-1893. Group of six documents, the fanciest of which is a fancy blue tax receipt from Gold Hill, 1864 the size of a stock certificate with two vignettes, signed by the town surveyor, taxing the O’Donnel house lot. All the receipts are to the O’Donnell family, dated 1863, 1865, 1868, 1872, 1893.  Two are for assessments on Hawk Eye GS MC stock (we did not get this certificate with the estate).  $200

319.   SOLD   Nevada, Storey. Insurance receipt with tied revenues. 1869 receipt for $125 paid for a $5000 life insurance policy on James O’Donnell for the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York, signed by Randolph Butler as an agent for the State of Nevada. 7 x 8.5”, entirely printed in blue ink. Datelined Virginia (City).  The piece is important because it is an insurance document with a 2 cent Nevada and 2 cent US revenue stamps, each tied to the document with a Bank of California stamp from the Gold Hill office. Separation along the fold at center, with old cellophane tape repair to the right side. Printed by Towne & Bacon, SF. Documents with the adhesive revenue stamps tied are rare. R. H. Butler was a miner on the Yellow Jacket claim, and is probably the same man. O’Donnell was a foreman for the Yellow Jacket mine. [ref: Kelley 1863] $200

320.   SOLD   Nevada.  Storey.  Results of Ore Reduction at Several Mills.  This is a spectacular piece showing the total annual value of the pulp from 26 mills from July 1, 1867 to July 1, 1868.   The chart also shows a comparison against samples taken from wagons.  Samples were collected daily and compiled for the year.  Too many mills to list individually but here are the first 5 listed:  Savage, Atchison, Santiago, Central and Island.  14 X 30.  Excellent condition.  A true treasure for mining enthusiasts and mill researchers.  $350

321.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Dayton.  Hunter Creek MC.  A 1956 proposal by Hunter Creek MC to merge with the Dayton, NV, based Dayton Cons. Mines Co.  The merger will be in conjunction with the Inspiration Lead Co and the Silverore Co.  All of these companies are from the Idaho Silver Belt.  The letter includes many photographs of the workings at Dayton.  Excellent condition.  4 pp.  $25

322.  SOLD    Nevada, Storey. Gold Hill district. Jim McClellan G&S MC stock certificate, incorporated 1863, issued 1863 to N. Sanders for 20 shares, signed by J. M. Conleiz as president and William Hunt as secretary. Uncancelled. Vignette of lady at left. $550,000 in large green underprint at center. Tear along fold at left. Gold Hill News print. Datelined Gold Hill. Probably the namesake of McClellan Peak, west of Gold Hill, though not recorded by Angel. 4.5 x 9” None of the principals are listed in any directories of the period. $950

323.  SOLD    Nevada. Storey. Gold Hill District. Miantonomoh G&S MC. Stock certificate. Incorporated in Nevada in 1864, issued in June 1864 to James O’Donnell for 5 shares, signed by president E. E. Phillips and H. C. Brooke as secretary. 4 x 8.5” Printed by the Gold Hill News. Vignette of Indian at left with 25 cent Power of Atty revenue stamp attached. Uncancelled. Mint. Brooke was an accountant with Wells Fargo & Co. in Gold Hill.  Phillips was a stock Broker with an office across the street from Wells Fargo.  O’Donnel was a foreman with the Yellow Jacket mine. I was unable to find the source of the word “Miantonomah,” probably a western Shoshone name. It is not the name of a surveyed claim in the Gold Hill area, though the prospect must have seemed promising to a foreman of the Yellow Jacket and a Wells Fargo & Co. employee. $950.

324.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Gold Hill District. Miantonomoh G&S MC. Stock certificate. Incorporated in Nevada in 1864, issued in June 1864 to James O’Donnell for 5 shares, signed by president E. E. Phillips and H. C. Brooke as secretary. 4 x 8.5” Printed by the Gold Hill News. Vignette of Indian at left with 25 cent Power of Atty revenue stamp attached. Uncancelled. Mint. Brooke was an accountant with Wells Fargo & Co. in Gold Hill.  Phillips was a stock Broker with an office across the street from Wells Fargo.  O’Donnel was a foreman with the Yellow Jacket mine. I was unable to find the source of the word “Miantonomah.” It is not the name of a surveyed claim in the Gold Hill area, though the prospect must have seemed promising to a foreman of the Yellow Jacket and a Wells Fargo & Co. employee. This is a duplicate of the above lot except comes with an assessment receipt dated May, 1864 for $1.50 per share, signed by H. C. Brooke, printed on blue paper, no printer. $1000.

325.  SOLD    Nevada. Storey. Gold Hill District. Mount Washington G&S MC. Stock certificate. Incorporated in Nevada in 1864, issued in March 1864 to James O’Donald for 10 shares, signed by president E. W. Palmer and Wm. H. Bugan as secretary. 4 x 8.5” Printed by the Gold Hill News. Vignette of bust of George Washington at left with 25 cent Power of Atty revenue stamp attached. Uncancelled. Minor foxing.  The mine is not listed in Stretch, or on the actively trading list on the San Francisco Exchange. Not listed in Kellet, 1863. None of the principals are listed in Kelley (1863) or San Francisco directories of the period.  O’Donnell (sc) was the foreman at the Yellow Jacket.  $950.

326.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Gold Hill.  William Book & W. H. Blowey vs. Justice Mining Co, 1893.  The complainants are Charles Lyons, Dennis Harrington and Roger Sheehan.  They are suing the Justice Mining Co over ownership to the West Justice and James G. Blaine claims.  These men were hired by the defendant to stake out properties and acquire title.  The men later claim that the Justice MC never obtained those titles and that the titles should be in their names.  There are several pages of opinion by Hon. Thomas P. Hawley, US District Judge, Ninth Circuit, District of Nevada.  The case was found in favor of the defendant.  Excellent condition.  42 pp.  $150

327.  SOLD    Nevada, Storey. Gold Hill district. Wineyardner G&S MC stock certificate incorporated 1863, issued 1863 to John Handford, signed by George Walters as president and VanBokkelen as secretary. Uncancelled. Vignette of mine scene in the mountains. “Challenge ledges No. 1,2 & 3”. Printed by Drouaillet, SF. Datelined Gold Hill, N. T. 4.25 x 9” VanBokkelen was very active in the Territorial legislature and a very active mining secretary. The Wineyardner is not listed in Becker or Stretch. I could find no reference to the name “Wineyardner.” None of the three principals are listed in the Kelley 1863 directory, nor is the company. M. Winegardner (note spelling) was a miner living in Gold Hill on the Rice claim. I think he may have started this company. [ref: Kelley, 1863] $950.

328.  SOLD    Nevada. Storey. Steigel District. Bishop G&S MC. Stock certificate. Incorporated in Nevada in 1864, issued in June 1865 to James O’Donnell for 5 shares, signed by president H. Murray and L. Lejon as secretary. 5.25 x 9.5” Printed by Britton & Co., SF. Vignette of two beavers working on a tree on a stream bank with 25 cent Power of Atty revenue and red 25 cent Nevada adhesive revenue stamps attached. Uncancelled. Brown stains to lower half in the center and right corner, see scan.  Datelined Gold Hill, N. T.  The mine was named after John Bishop, one of the first men on the Comstock, and a friend of James Finney, “Old Virginia”. He was a resident of Gold Hill in the early days. Bishop staked many of the first claims in June and July, 1859. Many stories of his are found in Myron Angel’s History of Nevada, 1881.  The property was not in the Becker Atlas, nor in Stretch. Comes with two assessment receipts dated 1865 in Gold Hill.  O’Donnell was a foreman for the Yellow Jacket mine in Gold Hill. Murray and Lejon were not listed in local or San Francisco directories of the period, nor is the company. [ref; Angel, Kelley 1863] $1000.

329.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey, Virginia City.  Comstock Ltd. A four page promotional flyer for the Comstock Limited Mining Venture.  There two photos on the cover of mining operations.  Inside is a diagrammatic cross-section of the Comstock lode and location of the more famous mines.  H. L. Slossen, president and author, believed he had figured out where the infamous Comstock lode was after years of mining had played the deposit out.  No date but probably circa 1920’s.  Very fine, 3 pp.  $25

330.  SOLD    Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Gould & Curry SMC.  Stock certificate.  Incorporated in New York 1860.  Issued to J. B. Dickinson for 2 shares in 1864.  Signed by A. J Lawton as president pro-tem and J. Shotwell as secretary.  Vignette of mountains with small mining camp at the foothills.  Black border, 4 X 8.  Revenue stamp at left for 25 cents.  Left edge has been has been trimmed very tight.  Rip in middle of vignette with small piece missing.  Small stain at lower left.  J. B. Dickinson is not listed in the 1865 SF Directory.  A. J. Lawton was a San Francisco merchant and later simply listed as having an “office” in SF.  He lived at the Grand Hotel in 1872, like the others.  Lawton is not listed every year in the SF directories and thee same appears to be gone by 1881.  We do not know why he was picked as president pro-tem.

The Gould & Curry was located between the Savage and Best & Belcher mines in the central part of the Comstock lode.  The mine was discovered in 1859 as with the first claims.  It is named after Abram Curry, one of the first settlers in Carson City and Alvin Gould who went to Reese River at the beginning of the Reese River rush of 1862 and stayed there for a number of years in the lumber business.  Both men sold out their interests in the claim for an aggregate sum of less than $10,000.  According to DeGroot, the Gould & Curry built 2 mills, one completed in 1861-62 and the huge new mill built in 1863.  Adolph Sutro hauled ore to the G & C mill in 1862.  They were on of the first of the major mining companies to build their own mill, unlike the Mackay-Fair group who “double-dipped” in their corporate treasuries by contracting to mill ores separately.  The G & C mining claim was 1200’ long and had 4800 shares outstanding.  The stock rose to $6300 per foot in June 1863, or about $1600/share, after Comstock mine production went from $6 million in 1862 to more than $12 million in 1863.  At the end of 1860, the mine produced $22,000 worth of ore.  By 1863-64, the mine produced $8 million in gold and silver.  Through the life of the mine, production was $16 million, most of it from one small high grade ore body.  (DeGroot, Smith, Lord, C&C).  Rare Territorial.   $800

331.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Gould & Curry SMC vs. North Potosi G&SMC, Opinion of Referee 1864.  The Gould & Curry SMC brought suit against the North Potosi G&SMC for trespass in 1864 and sought an injunction to their continued removal of ore.  On Aug. 22, 1864, the referee found in favor of the Gould & Curry stating that the vein that the North Potosi claimed to be different from that of the Gould & Curry were in fact two in the same.  Printer - Goodman & McCarthy,  Fair-poor condition with several pieces missing from cover.  Edges worn.  12 pp.  $175

332.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Gould & Curry SMC vs. North Potosi G&SMC, Opinion of Referee 1864.  See lot above for the story.  Poor condition.  Rear cover missing.  Bleached color due to water damage.  Does not affect readability of text.   $175

333.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Gould & Curry SMC, 13th Annual Report.  This is the 1872 annual report of the Gould & Curry SMC with J. C. Flood as president and James Fair as vice-president.  The Gould & Curry is one of the most famous mining companies of the Comstock Bonanza producing $8 million  in 1862-3 and $16 million over the life of the mine.  The accounting in this report shows that the mine was operating at a deficit with no ore extracted for 1872.  Printer - A. Leary.  Fair condition.  Edges rough, several pieces of front cover missing.  Appears to be moderate water damage, does not effect text.  9 pp.  $175

334.   SOLD   Nevada. Storey. Virginia City. Mt. Davidson Consolidated G&SMC stock certificate, incorporated in Nevada, 1875, issued 1878 to George B. Hill, signed by Richard Kirman as president and Fred Turner as secretary. Fabulous vignette of Mt. Davidson, the prominent mountain that backdrops Virginia City. Printed by Bancroft. Datelined Carson City. Uncancelled. 5.5 x 9.5”. Trimmed tight along left margin. Small tear to upper right corner. No folds. There is no record of this company as a producer. They held no patented claims, and are not on the Becker Map of 1883.  In all likelihood, they held a prospect above Virginia City, well into the footwall of the Comstock. The principals are also shareholders of the Carson City Savings Bank.  Hill paid two assessments on the stock. “Location: Washoe Mining District, Nevada”.  This is a great show piece for Virginia City. Extremely rare. $400.

335.    Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Mexican G&SMC.  A box of unused Mexican Gold & Silver Mining Company letterhead, ca. 1920.  Approx 500 sheets.  Lists Zeb Kendall as president, Homer L. Gibson as vice-president and A. L. Kendall as secretary-treasurer.  Excellent condition.  $50

336.    Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Mexican G&SMC.  Stock Certificate.  Incorporated in Nevada 1874.  Issued to W. H. Wright for 100 shares in 1911.  Cancelled by hole punches through officers names and pencil mark across company name.  Vignette at left of spread winged eagle with a snake in beak.  Eagle is atop cactus.  Black border, yellow paper.  Printer - Olsen Litho, SF.  This was a major mine on the Comstock located immediately on the north boundary of the Ophir and was named after Manuel Penrod, on of the original discovery group from 1859.  From 1859-1918, it produced nearly $3 million in gold and silver.  It was on the first mines discovered on the Comstock by one of the original discoverers.  The mine was noted for its wire  silver specimens in the early days (C&C, Becker, DeQuille).  The three lots together of Mexican would make an excellent ensemble for a mining enthusiast.  Very fine.  $17

337.    Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Mexican G&SMC.  Seven pages of assays for the Mexican Gold & Silver MC, 1917.  The assays are for stamp mill samples and working faces in underground drifts and stopes.  The gold values appear to average about 0.5 to 0.7 oz/ton and the silver about 7-8 oz/ton.  This rock today would be considered “highgrade’ worth $200/ton!  Fine condition.  $150

338.  Two Still Available  Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  1897 Multiplication tables used at the Fourth Ward School, with advertisements. 8 x 10” cardboard tables with advertising from Virginia City merchants on one side. The adds are from B. F. Shaw, druggist; J. Morris, Dry Goods; B. Haas, Insurance agent; W. Zeigler, City Market; J. Fulstone, dentist; Davis book store; and others. Printed by Wm. Sutherland, Virginia, Nev., circa 1898.  Copyright May, 1897.  Use of the cards was probably intended for home use, as evidenced by the advertisements.  The merchants may have paid for the printing of the tables for free distribution at the school. Great Americana. $50 each.

339.    SOLD Nevada, Storey. Virginia City. Original photo post card of C street in Virginia City, dated Jan. 30, 1916 with about 4 feet of snow piled up along the business fronts. White border, excellent condition. No photographer shown. $25

340.  SOLD    Nevada. Storey. Virginia City.  Savage MC.  An 1897 superintendent report by H. M Gorham of the Savage Mining Co.  The report discusses improvements to the various levels of the mines and the ore extracted.  This the original typed copy sent Geo R. Wells, president of Savage MC and signed by the author.  Extremely fine.  9 pp.  $90

341.    No lot.

342.   SOLD   Nevada. Washoe. Pyramid Lake.  Gold Copper Exploration Co.  A letter written to Geo Richards, Carson City, April 2, 1902.  It is written on Gold-Copper Exploration Co letter head with O. A. Norcross as president.  The contents of the letter involve asking for a little time and patience to make payments on a debt to the bank.  The hardship arises from problems selling copper ore to an unnamed mill.  Signed by D. W. Cults.  Excellent condition, 1 pp.  $25

343.      Nevada. Washoe. Reno. Pioneer Soda Works, Smith & Brian Co., Reno, Nev. Four piece mold aqua Hutchinson soda Bottle. Very tiny hard to see lip flash. Clean. Smith & Brian bought the Pioneer Soda Works in 1900 and kept the business running until 1906. These soda bottles are the most common of the Nevada Hutchinsons, but most of them have gone into collections across the country from folks who collect one of this style bottle from all 50 states. Several of these were dug in an old dump site in Reno a few years ago. There are still probably less than two dozen in this nice condition. $400

344.      Nevada. Washoe. Reno. R. E. Queen, Druggist, Reno, Nev. Drug store bottle with the apothecary scales monogram at left. Three ounces of liquid were contained in this bottle, which measures 4” tall. It is clear glass with a light purple tinge with two very tiny lip nicks and very minor interior stain in a few places.  Queen is one of the most important of the Nevada druggists. Richard Queen, born in Kentucky in 1854, moved to Reno in 1876, managing a drug store for John Myers. In  1877 he started his own business on the west side of Virginia Street near Second Street, two blocks from the Railroad. For 2 years he experimented with compounds to make a laxative, and in 1879 formed the California Fig Syrup Co. and patented its product. He sold his Reno store in 1883, having created a major patent medicine that was perhaps the most popular laxative in America prior to the 1906 Food & Drug Act, which required him to divulge the contents. Endless litigation over the patent protection brought an end to his enterprise. This drug bottle dates from the 1877-1883 period. $150.

345.   SOLD   Nevada. Washoe. Reno. Reno Brewing Co. half pint beer bottle in clear glass with a slight purple tinge. This is the rarest embossed Nevada beer bottle. It dates from about 1905-1910 and is a four piece mold. 7.5” tall, 2.25” diameter. It has a few very minor tiny surface dings on the top, minor case wear scratches, and a small, half inch partial crack in the base that does not go through the glass layer to the right side of the embossing, invisible from front view.  I have never been able to determine exactly what product was placed in this bottle. It was clearly a specialty occasion based on the extreme rarity of whole specimens or shards. It may have been for something such as a Christmas ale.  It is thought that the clear color glass would show off the product inside, which must have had nice color to the brewer. In an old edition of my Nevada Bottle Book I speculated that it might also be a soda, though I now doubt this because of the rarity. I lean heavily toward a seasonal specialty beer.  There are only four of these known to me. $450.

346.  SOLD    Nevada. White Pine. Ely (Aurora Group).  McKinley M&SmC.  A lot of 15 pieces.  These letters are written to either W. S. Staley of Columbus, S.C., directly or to him as a stockholder in the McKinley M & Sm Co.  The letters document and track the promotion of a company, a sale of shares at an inflated price, demise of the company and a reorganization under supposed new management and then ultimate failure and loss of the shareholders money.  The time period of these letters is from early 1903 to late 1905-6.  The Mines Handbook (1906) list the McKinley M & Sm Co, and the reorganization to the McKinley Cons. M & Sm Co.  The latter company is listed as dead by 1906.  McKinley M & Sm Co bought their property from Jas. A Saxton who was the father-in-law to President McKinley, “on strength of which the company adopted the name” (Mines Handbook, 1906, p. 670).  Excellent condition. 15 pp.  $150

347.   SOLD   Nevada. White Pine. Ely.  Ely Central Copper Co. Prospectus.  In fact, it is more of an advanced promotional flyer with 16 pp and a colored claim map of the district.  The tale told is of a copper deposit larger than the deposits of Montana, Arizona, Utah combined.  There is no listing of this company in the Mines Handbooks.  Fine, front cover detached, 16 pp.  $85

348.   SOLD   Nevada. White Pine. Ward.  Nevada United Mines Co Property at Ward, NV. Promotional Flyer.  Incorporated in Arizona 1906 (as reported in the prospectus) however not listed in Mines Handbooks until 1918. In this issue, the property is being mined by leasers at an output of 90 tons/day.  The company claims to be shipping ore to a smelter in Murray, Utah.  If this is true, the lack of a listing in the Mines Handbook during that time period is odd.  Further, a close inspection of the accounting reveals a little ‘fudging’ of the numbers.  The prospectus discusses the need to build a railroad at a cost of $200,000.  The accounting discusses $5/ton shipping costs as if the railroad were already built.  When in fact, the prospectus states that there is a $9.50/ton shipping charge.  Further, a table is included showing returns from the smelter in Utah.  The numbers do not fit well with the high cost of shipping and values are not certified by the mill (typical of more legitimate operations).  Excellent condition.  10 pp. $75