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The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal California Patriotic Covers
Sale No: 129
Lot No: 588
Symbol:
Big Oak Flat, Cal. Aug 11 [1861]. Blue cds on Patriotic Cover to Maine, design in red, white and blue showing Flag and Cannon, franked with 1857 1¢ + three 3¢ cancelled by manuscript pen, included is original patriotic lettersheet in red "Through Baltimore" with flag and cannon design and lengthy verse, datelined "Big Oak Flat Aug 11th / 61" with contents, in part, "…It is some time since I heard from old Turner but I expect that the people think so much of the war that they forget all their old friends but my wish is that the Republicans will get all they want before they git through with it unless they try and make a compromise with the South I cannot blame the South for doing as they have they were drove to do it and now the Republicans want to drive them back again and I am in hopes that the good old Democratic party will still stand for the union as they always have done and not help the Rep fight for the desolusion of the union. I am in hopes after this that the Rep will not think any more of a niger than he does of a white man. The way I think it can be settle now if for the Rep to come out and tell the South that they are willen to respect the whites there as much as they do the nigers then you will see the South lay down their arms but not till then and I am in hopes that they wont…"; cover & stamps defective, Fine cover and Very Fine patriotic lettersheet. Estimate; $400 - 600.
AN OUTSTANDING PATRIOTIC ITEMS AND THE ONLY PATRIOTIC LETTERSHEET WE HAVE SEEN USED IN CALIFORNIA. US$400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 589
Symbol:
California Civil War Patriotic Covers. Lot of five California patriotic covers, all with different designs in red, white & blue, town postmarks include Colma, Horsetown, Oakland & two from Red Dog, two used internally in California and others to the East coast, various frankings including one with Post Office Free handstamp, all with varying degrees of faults, one is a rebacked front, Fine, Patriotic covers from California are scarce, if not rare. This lot represents an opportunity for the collector/dealer to pick up five at one time. Estimate; $500 - 750.
Healdsburg, Cal Apr 7 [1864]. Black cds with several matching strikes of target killer tying vertical pair of 1861 3¢ rose (65, defects) on patriotic cover "The Loyal States, UNION, California" all over illustrated design with "Eureka" in circle (state seal design), etc., addressed to Boston, registration of design imprint on backflap with additional strike of Healdsburg cds, corner defects, Fine. Estimate; $500 - 750.
A VERY RARE CALIFORNIA LOYAL STATES PATRIOTIC COVER USED FROM CALIFORNIA. US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 591
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(Incoming) "20th Corps" Overwritten on Twelfth Corps, First Division. Imprint at left on patriotic cover with large Red Star at left bordered in blue, McGee Imprint at left, franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Chattanooga, Ten 5 Sep" blue double circle postmark with matching target on cover to San Francisco, reduced at right up to stamp (couple perfs affected), still Very Fine, a scarce design & usage to California. Estimate; $100 - 150. US$100-150 (Image)
Est. $100-150
Opening US$ 50.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 592
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(Incoming) Flag Patriotic Covers Addressed to California. Lot of three patriotic covers with flag designs, first is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Newark, N.J. May [xx 186x]" on cover with involute flag design to San Francisco, handstamp "DUE 10", missing backflap, second first is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Chazy N.Y. Jun 10" black cds on cover with involute flag design and addressed to Timbuctoo, Cal, 1861 docketing, neatly repaired, and third is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Philadelphia" octagonal datestamp (unreadable) cover with involute flag to San Jose, Cal, with docketing 1861, F.-V.F., an attractive group of incoming patriotics. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Sale No: 129
Lot No: 593
Symbol: Cat No: Collection
(Incoming) Patriotic Cover Addressed to Stockton, California. Origination black double circle postmark "Pottsville Pa Aug 28 1862" with grid killer on 1861 10¢ green (68, small faults), blue illustrated "Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan" at left with printer's inscription, plus small "Place for the Stamp" imprint with pointing hand and collar under adhesive, light edge wear, Fine and attractive. Estimate; $200 - 300. US$200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 594
Symbol:
Iowa City, Cal. Jul 23. Large black cds with "PAID 10" in circle on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Flag and Cannon and inscription "The Union must and shall be preserved", addressed to New York, reduced at right into address, otherwise Very Fine,ex-Tatham. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 595
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Oroville, Cal. Mar 29 [circa 1861]. Large black cds patriotic cover (front only) to England, cover shows all over Red, White and Blue Flag design, second strike of cds on blue field of flag and manuscript "Paid 29c" West Coast rate, red "N. York Br. Pkt., Paid 19, Jul 3" exchange cds to England; wear at edges of original cover front, reduced right into docketing, Fine and rare. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 596
Symbol:
Redwood City (California) March 26, 1862. Datelined on illustrated patriotic lettersheets with "California" above image of seated Reverse: within involute flag; contents confirm California origin, letters read in part, "…After an other long silence I sit down to write but have but little of interest to write. Since I wrote you I have received a long letter from Hank Kinney. He is well and doing well-is mining at Cherokee-where you & I went to one first ball. They have two boys nearly large enough to work in the mines, so he says…Hank says when he gets his diggings worked out he thinks of going to the Northern Mines. By the way I myself think of going. I think the chances are that I will go…"; a similar second lettersheet is included and is datelined "Camp Griffin", a yellow cover accompanies, seems be related to the Camp Griffin lettersheet, postmarked "West Berkshire, VT Apr 22" with 1861 3¢ rose on cover with six appropriately dated enclosures to Loomis, President of Burlington Savings Bank, Vt, Very Fine, a lovely pair of California Patriotic Lettersheets and a very rare usage of one within the state. Estimate; $200 - 300. US$200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 597
Symbol:
Saint Louis, Cal. Aug 28, [1861]. Blurry just decipherable black cds tying 1857 10¢ green, type V (35) on patriotic cover with Flag Over Cannon and "The Union must and shall be preserved" imprint, addressed to Providence, R.I.; light pencil docket at upper left "Ag 28 61" may or may not be contemporary, some minor cover (light crease at bottom right) & stamp flaws, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 598
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San Diego, Cal. Mar 21, [circa 1861]. Large black cds on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Involute Flag and lengthy inscription (Milgram WP-2 var.) beneath franked with 1857 3¢ rose and cancelled by socked-on-the-nose grid addressed to Sacramento City, Cal; light edge wear, Very Fine, a very rare California patriotic usage entirely within the state. Estimate; $500 - 750. US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 599
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San Jose, Cal. Jun 29. Cds ties 1857 10¢ green (35, trimmed perfs) on red, white & blue All-Over Patriotic Flag cover to Poplar Ridge N.Y.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine and attractive,ex-Drew. Estimate; $400 - 600. US$400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 600
Symbol:
Taylors Ranch, Cal., May 8 1862. Manuscript postmark (PLU-2410, one of 3 such known) with pen cancelled 1861 3¢ rose (65) on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Flag and Cannon and inscription, and "Published by G.W. Stacy" (only 1 known to date w publisher's inscription) at bottom left, Very Fine, one of the finest California patriotics which is further enhanced by this rare postmark, ex-Polland, Jacobitz & Tatham. Estimate; $750 - 1,000. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 601
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Trinity Centre, Cal., May 13. Blue cds (TRI-1890) and matching grid canceling 1861 3¢ rose (65, trimmed at top) on patriotic cover w lilac allover design "The War for the Union", addressed to Calahans Ranch, Cal; horizontal cover fold, Very Fine and attractive,ex-Tatham. Estimate; $400 - 600. US$400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
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Early Incoming Rate Covers to California
Sale No: 129
Lot No: 602
Symbol:
Incoming 40¢ Rate Covers to California. Group of 4 covers inbound to California, including very nice folded 1850 letter from Cleveland to Sacramento City with "40" rate, 1850 folded cover from Baltimore with blue cds and red "40" rate handstamp, 1850 cover from Providence, R.I. with red cds & rate handstamp, last is from Northampton, Ms. with red cds and manuscript "40" rate, minor faults, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400.
(Incoming) Balance Lot, Trio of Double Three-Cent Rate Covers. Three covers, the first is postmarked "red West Swanzey, N.H. Jun 2" cds with two strikes of "Paid 3" in circle to Columbia, Cal.; second is postmarked blue "Akron, Ohio Jul 5" cds with matching "PAID" and two strikes of "3" for 6¢ rate to Sacramento, backflap missing; last is postmarked blue "Bennington, Vt. Apr 18" cds with two strikes of blue "Paid 3" in circle on cover to Foster Bar, Yuba County, California; some minor wear, Fine, a very unusual lot with two strikes of the 3¢ handstamp to make the 6¢ trans-continental rate. Estimate; $300 - 400.
(Incoming) Bennington, Vt. May 27. Red cds with four strikes of red "X" in circle making up the 40 cent rate on cover to Sacramento City, Upper California, light soiling and wear overall, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400.
THIS IS THE ONLY COVER WE HAVE SEEN WITH FOUR STRIKES OF THE 10¢ RATE MARK USED TO MAKE UP THE 40¢ RATE. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 605
Symbol:
Incoming Covers to California. Small lot of nine covers with various rate and franking, including a couple of forwarded covers and a couple part paid covers, F.-V.F., an interesting lot worth inspection. Estimate; $200 - 300.
Incoming 6¢ Rate Covers to California. Two covers with two strikes of 3¢ rate handstamp to make up the 6¢ trans continental rate one from Kings Ferry, N.Y., other from Fayette, Me., some light wear, F.-V.F., a most unusual pair. Estimate; $150 - 200. US$150-200 (Image)
Est. $150-200
Opening US$ 80.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 607
Symbol:
(Incoming) Steamer Gipsy. Red oval on cover to San Francisco, postmarked red "New Orleans La. May 12" cds (1850 or 1851) with additional red oval "WAY 11 CENTS" rate crossed out and corrected to "41" (1¢ Way fee and 40¢ West Coast rate), one backflap missing, remainder of verso nearly separated from front, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A VERY RARE RATE AND STEAMBOAT USAGE TO CALIFORNIA. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 725.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 608
Symbol:
(Incoming) Shushan, N.Y. Apr 18. Small red cds with black "40" in circle rate handstamp on cover to San Jose, California; forwarded to Sacramento with light red somewhat oily and indistinct cds of San Jose, Cal, and manuscript "Forwd 12½" and "52½" manuscript beneath that indicating the total due by the recipient; docketing on verso "June the 13/51"; minor backflap damage, Very Fine, a scarce item with the 40¢ Trans-Continental rate and the 12½¢ internal California rate. Estimate; $150 - 200.
The 12½ cent rate was in effective prior to July 1, 1851 for mails within California. US$150-200 (Image)
Est. $150-200
Opening US$ 80.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 609
Symbol: Cat No: U19
Envelope, 1860, Nesbitt 2nd Issue, 1¢ blue on buff, period after "POSTAGE". Several strikes of cds on 1¢ 1860 Star Die entire with three 3¢ and one 1¢ 1857 issue adhesives to San Francisco; cover repaired at right with portion of right sideflap missing, Very Fine appearance. Scott No. U19; Estimate $150 - 200.
A VERY RARE STAR DIE USAGE PAYING THE 10¢ TRANS-CONTINENTAL RATE PLUS ONE CENT CARRIER RATE. US$150-200 (Image)
Est. $150-200
Opening US$ 80.00
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Gold Rush Era Illustrated Lettersheets
Sale No: 129
Lot No: 550
Symbol:
(Australia) Aborigines of Victoria. Used illustrated 10-1/2x16" bluish lettersheet carried by "City of Sydney" with Victoria 1857 6d Orange rouletted (#17) tied to folded letter with integral address leaf to London endorsed "City of Sydney & Overland" backstamped "Melbourne, Victoria/No 16, 1857," answer was written and returned as a paste over with Great Britain 1d Red (#33) tied by "London/Ja 13, 1858" stamp and cover faults, partly accounted for by its over 30,000 mile round trip!! some minor splits repaired internally with archival tape & a filled punch hole on chest of left Aborigine, Fine and a lettersheet and usage, an exceptionally rare and interesting item for which the consignor paid $1300 with buyer's premium in 2022! ex-Risvold. Estimate; $500 - 750. US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 950.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 551
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(Australia) Map of Melbourne & Collingwood. Used illustrated 8.5x17" bluish paper lettersheet, with "MAP OF MELBOURNE & COLLINGWOOD" and imprint "PUBLISHED BY JAMES J BLUNDELL & CO 44 COLLINS ST WEST" on either side of the title and "Engraved & Printed for the Publishers by Campbell & Fergusson" at lower left, contents datelined "Colingwood Jany 20th 56" with lengthy three-page letter reading in part, "…it was indeed a sad disappointment…the wreck of the Schomberg…the passengers were brought to Melbourne by the steamer Queen…no lives lost…there is not much to be done at the diggings now and the travelling to them is dreadful…" The vaunted "Schomberg" was wrecked on its maiden voyage from England, running aground off Cape Otway on Dec 27, 1855; very minor edge wear at right, Very Fine, a rare illustrated Australian lettersheet with interesting contents regarding the wreck of the Schomberg. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
Capt. Sutter's Account of the First Discovery of the Gold. Lettersheet (Baird 22) lithographs of James W. Marshall and Sutter's Mill, published by Britton & Rey in 1854, folded sheet 10.5x17" on light gray paper, without letter but addressed on verso to Foxboro, Mass, Very Fine. Estimate; $500 - 750.
Joseph Britton & Jacques Joseph Rey were the most prolific California Gold Rush lithographers. US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 553
Symbol:
Clipper Ship "Race Hound". Large illustrated broadside of "New Line for California Direct for San Francisco…Clipper Ship Race Hound" with details of prices and schedule, from Adam Smith, 28 Front St. (New York), printed by George F. Nesbitt of postal stationery fame, original cover postmarked "New York Feb 16 PAID 5 cts." to Pennsylvania; vertical and horizontal tape reinforcement to the broadside with repair in lower center, cover has minor tear at right, still Very Fine and rare. Estimate; $500 - 750. US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 554
Symbol:
Commandments To California Wives. Used lettersheet (Baird 42) illustrated lettersheet showing dual home scene vignettes subtitled "Commandments Are Given To Make A Happy Home", with "Mercantile Job Print, 130 Sansome St., S.F." imprint, table of commandments below framed by a outdoor family scene, used with three-page letter datelined "Downieville Cal Sunday Nov 20/55" sent by Thomas B. Parke to his wife back East, asking her to be patient with him staying in California longer, etc. etc., some hinge reinforcement, small piece out at bottom right, still Very Fine, a rare lettersheet, especially in used condition. Estimate; $500 - 750.
Crossing the Plains. Used lettersheet (Baird 47) comprised of 13 wood engravings scenes by Barber and Baker, Sacramento, folded double sheet on pale blue paper, 11x17.5", letter datelined "Placerville, Cal. Nov 28th, 1854" from miner writing to his brother telling in part "I am in the land of gold…I saw two men hung the third of this month…I believe that it would [be] good policy to pay the postage in advance…"; some wear and erosion at the folds on the letterside of the 11x17.5" lettersheet, illustration portion sharp and crisp, Very Fine, a rare used California lettersheet with only a few known. Estimate; $500 - 750.
George H. Baker (1827-1906) was a '49er, merchant, expressman, artist, and lithographer. In July 1850, he formed Baker's Express and made one financially-disastrous, 290-mile mule-mounted trip from San Francisco into the Feather River Diggins. In June 1854, now in Sacramento, artist Baker joined with wood engraver Edmond L. Barber (1808-1870) to form, he advertised, "the largest Engraving Establishment on the Pacific Coast." The pair published Sacramento Illustrated (1855) with 31 engravings. This "Crossing the Plains" letter sheet exclaims "Views Drawn from Nature, in 1853, by George H. Baker." He made these sketches on a return trip to California from Boston with supplies for his Sacramento store. James Mason Hutchings published letter sheets using friend Baker's images in late 1854 and 1857. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (3.3MB). US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 950.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 556
Symbol:
Departure for El Dorado. Used lettersheet (Baird 51) comprised of ten satirical views lithographed by C. Quirot, between 1851 and 1853 (after Emanuel Justh left the firm), seller was the Noisy Carrier's Publishing Hall with small blue handstamp at foot of illustration, folded light gray double sheet 10.75x16.5", with letter datelined "Rancherea, Cala, June 9th, 1854", Amos addressed his dear "Miss Smith", He is…one who thinks there is no other so kind & so Beautiful & Lovely as you and your miniature I have with me where ever I go, the love-sick suitor is most serious…These words, he tells Mollessa, come from a tru hart and one ho loves you, and that hart is mine, he pleads for her to write to me and tell me if I can have any such clames on you, however - same old story…It was my intention to come this spring, But Being unsuccessful in Business last Winter, I am and have determined to stay one more year Now, It is my Intention to return home in the spring without fale promising next May you will then see me.; couple minor fold splits and a couple small tone spots, Very Fine, a wonderful and rare used caricature lettersheet. Estimate; $750 - 1,000. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 557
Symbol:
Destruction of Blossom Rock. Used illustrated lettersheet 7.5x9.5" with caption "Destruction of Blossom Rock" providing details of the government paying $75,000 to remove the rock in San Francisco harbor on Apr 23, 1870 "successfully blasted by 23 tons of powder"; four-page letter written in German datelined "San Francisco 14 Mai 1870"; minimal wear at folds, Very Fine and rare, unlisted in Baird. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Eight Scenes of Mining Life and a View of the Elephant.used lettersheet (Baird 293) published and sold by [William B.] Cooke & [Josiah J.] LeCount, San Francisco book sellers and stationers, four-page lettersheet with front page having nine views in gold on cream paper (8.25x10.5") with two page letter enclosed datelined "San Francisco July 30th 1850" which reads, in part, "…the news from the mines continues about the same some doing well and others not making their living in the southern mines the Yankees have ordered all foreigners to 'vamoos' except they give heavy bonds for their good behaviour…acts of Robbery and Murder which has become every day occurences. no less than 14 Americans were killed in one day. parties have been sent to scour the mountains and if any suspicious characters should happen to be in the fray they will be obliged to make love to the first tree as the Lynch law has become the order of the day…George W. Cox.", some minor reinforcements of edges with hinges, Very Fine and choice. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE GOLD COLORED PRINT LETTERSHEET - WHICH IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN PRINTED LETTERSHEET.
Eight Scenes of Mining Life and a View of the Elephant.used lettersheet (Baird 293) published and sold by [William B.] Cooke & [Josiah J.] LeCount, San Francisco book sellers and stationers, four-page lettersheet with front page having nine views in black ink on bluish paper (8.25x10.5") with three-page letter enclosed datelined "Fort John, Calaveras Co California March 4 1851" from a miner lamenting the conditions, lack of success, and he notes "…I have just returned from a trip of five weeks prospecting in the mountains amongst the indians and Girsily bears …in haste I must close this letter and be off to the mountains as the mule is all ready packed if I have success I shall be back to this place in some two weeks and then I hope to write you again, write often and direct your letters to Sacramento City as usual…E.G. Bovee[?]", light toning on file folds, front lettersheet page is sharp with only minor wear, Very Fine. Estimate; $500 - 750.
DURHAM'S "CALIFORNIA GEOGRAPHIC NAMES" HAS SOME INFO ON FORT JOHN, LISTING IT UNDER VOLCANO (AMADOR CO.) NOTING THAT FORT JOHN WAS FOUR MILES NORTHWEST OF VOLCANO.
Execution of Casey & Cora, by the San Francisco Vigilance Committee May 22nd 1856. Unused lettersheet (Baird 68) showing empty lot, surrounded by the Vigilance Committee in formation, with bodies hanging at left from Fort Vigilance, on a single sheet of paper measuring 8¼x10½". Joseph Henry Jackson in "Gold Rush Album" (p. 220) notes of the image on this lettersheet: "The lithograph tells its own story. Not all good citizens approved of the Committee's high-handed methods, and the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court denounced the Committee's actions as a rebellion of 'damned pork merchants.' But, as seen in the view…Massachusetts meetings of San Franciscans turned out to endorse the suspension of normal legal process during the months of June and July."; slight toning along edges, Extremely Fine and choice, A rare lettersheet, as evidenced by a 2022 auction realization of $1187 with buyer's premium for an example with paper damage. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
PAIRED WITH THE "SURRENDER" LETTERSHEET (LOT 575), THIS PAIR TELLS THE WHOLE STORY.
How the California Mines Are Worked. Used lettersheet (Baird 104) finely executed 3.75x7.25" wood engraving on a folded 10.75x17" bluish-gray double sheet, shows Placer Miners Using the Pan, Rocker, Long Tom, and Sluice; Anthony & Baker engravers and The San Francisco Wide West newspaper publisher, with lengthy 4-page letter (plus added page inserted, original to contents) datelined "Don Pedro's August 27th 1854" with newsy contents, family questions, domestic chores, etc. with some interesting content, including, "…Adams & Co have put an Express office and Banking house here. A stage has been running all the summer.there is a Fandango House in full operation here. We hear the music and dancing evenings and see the ladys out often during the day perhaps you will not understand the term Fandango it is so familar here. It is a Spanish bad house…", signed "Helen"; accompanied by original stampless mailing envelope manuscript postmarked "Don Pedros Bar Sept 27 Cal" with matching "Paid 6" addressed to Falmouth, Mass., minor cover creasing at left, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A WONDERFUL LETTERSHEET WITH ORIGINAL POSTALLY USED ENVELOPE.
Hutchings' California Scenes - The Mammoth Trees. Unused lettersheet (Baird 106) illustration of "Mammoth Trees" with Horses, Riders, People Below and Several Stumps of Harvested Trees, "Anthony & Baker SC" at bottom of lithograph, "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by James M. Hutchings, in the Clerks' Office of the U.S. District Court, for Northern District of California.", black on cream paper, four-page illustrated lettersheet, with front page measuring 8.75x10.5", Extremely Fine. Estimate; $400 - 600. US$400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 563
Symbol:
Hutching's California Scenes, The California Indians. Used folded lettersheet (Baird 105, Kruska 5b), Anthony & Baker Sc. in various illustrated blocks, Excelsior Print on blue laid, three-page letter written in German (with transcription in English) datelined "Goodyears Bar, May 14th, 1855" and signed by J. Meister to his brother talking about his brother becoming a plumber and, "I think next winter when our luck wills it, our financial difficulties will ease up and we will be able to move more freely. Together with some other men, I will built a dam (Wingdam) in the Yuba river. I had intention to let you come to California later on but I decided against it because it would be too hard a life for you.", entered mails with red "Goodyears Bar Cal. May 28" cds with matching "Paid" and "10" rating handstamp to Herman Mo., Very Fine, a rare folded and mailed lettersheet. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
Hutchings' Panoramic Scenes. - Crossing the Plains. Unused lettersheet (Baird 109) front of 8.5x11.5" lettersheet showing thirteen vignettes with imprint at lower right "Views Drawn from Nature in 1853, by George H. Baker" on bluish paper, minor toning on verso at folds, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 565
Symbol:
Life Among the Miners. Used lettersheet (Baird 138) copyright and published by Hutchings & Rosenfeld, 146 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, printed by S.H. Wade, Era Building, with "No. 2" at upper right of "Life Among The Miners" 10.5x16.5" illustrated lettersheet with additional 12 smaller views of various aspects of mining life; datelined "San Francisco March 13 1868" with two-page letter internal, reading in part "we made a very long trip of one hundred and thirty days…sail from here for Callao next week…I could not leave the ship not even for a single day San Francisco is the worst place in the world for keeping a ship" signed "Affectionate Brother, C. St. Croix Olivier, Care US Consul, Callao, Peru" with notation "Ship Harry Bluff", original envelope accompanies, postmarked San Francisco Cal Mar 16 with stamp missing addressed to Philadelphia; defective & portions of lettersheet chewed and missing at corners and folds, V.G., a rare lettersheet with one other known (Princeton University Library). Estimate; $200 - 300.
Sale No: 129
Lot No: 566
Symbol: Cat No: Collection
The Lumber Merchant. Humorous illustrated lettersheet (Baird 139) showing obviously frustrated merchant looking over his Account of Sales, etc., dated "San Francisco Jan 24th, 1851", lithographed and published by E.F. Butler, sold by Atwill & Co., San Francisco; lettersheet with some faults glued onto brown paper stock with various newspaper clipping (detailing Chronology of the Civil War) glued to verso along with a handwritten recipe for "Currant Wine", Fine. Estimate; $200 - 300.
Mariposa City. Lettersheet (Baird 151) published by Quirot and Company, San Francisco, ca1851, bluish 8x10.5" engraved illustration of Mariposa City; a similar example (also with much of the imprint trimmed) sold in a 2008 auction in which it was noted that the publisher was Quirot, "located at the address given in the imprint between 1851 and 1852" (per Peters, "California on Stone", pp. 132-38), slightly trimmed & minor hinge reinforcement of fold on verso, Fine, a rare lettersheet. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Mariposa, county seat of Mariposa County, has the state's oldest courthouse (1854), which is not yet shown in this view. In 1847, Frémont acquired the claim for Mariposa Rancho at the foothills of Yosemite, and on this grant, the first quartz vein in California was discovered. The town came to life when gold was discovered on Mariposa Creek in 1849. Between December 1849 and May 1851, the Mariposa Battalion, a deputized body of the state militia, conducted a punitive expedition against Mariposa and other tribes who attacked white miners invading their lands. In their reconnoitering, the Battalion, under the leadership of James D. Savage (the "Blond King of Tulare"), named and explored Yosemite Valley. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 568
Symbol:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Used illustrated lettersheet (Baird 154) of Bearded Gentleman Tipping His Hat With Season's Greetings, published by Hutchings & Rosenfeld, San Francisco; brief letter on front page of four-page lettersheet datelined "Napa City, Cal December 20th 1856", accompanied by original mailing envelope postmarked with black circular datestamp "Napa City Cal Dec 19" with matching "PAID" and "10" rate handstamps on yellow corner card cover to Illinois from Wells, Fargo & Co., Banking, etc., backflap missing from cover, overall, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A VERY RARE LETTERSHEET, PARTICULARLY USED WITH ORIGINAL ENVELOPE WITH WELLS, FARGO & CO. CORNER CARD. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 569
Symbol:
Miners at Work with Long Toms. Unused lettersheet (Baird 159) no printers mark but originated with an 1852 Quirot lithograph taken from a daguerreotype, 10 miners are at work, while along the left edge stands a miner with pick, shovel, and pan, and below him, an Indian from the Eastern United States, light gray folded double letter sheet 10.5x16.5", small corner repair at bottom right, still Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 570
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Miners Life - The Honest Miners Songs. (Baird 165), illustrated first page of what is normally a two-page lettersheet (similar examples offered in our Sale #60, Lots #597-598, both of which had 1855 letters accompanying), with the message portion of the lettersheet missing, Printed by Barber and Baker, Sacramento, 13 wood engravings providing the daily life of a miner with "The Honest Miner's Songs" at center; some faults, still Fine and attractive. Estimate; $200 - 300. US$200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 571
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Miner's Life - Illustrated.used lettersheet (Baird 165) by Barber and Baker, Sacramento, 13 wood engravings providing the daily life of a miner on a bluish folded letter sheet 11x17.5", with "The Honest Miner's Songs" at center, with letter datelined "Sarahsville May 24th/55" with three-page newsy letter enclosed as part of the lettersheet, some wear, particularly at folds, minor hinge reinforcements, F.-V.F. Estimate; $500 - 750.
Durham's "California Geographic Names" has the following on Sarahsville (Bath, Placer Co.), "After prospectors discovered gold at the site in 1850, the mining camp there was called Volcano for nearby Volcano Canyon; the name of the camp was changed to Sarahsville to honor the first woman at the place, and then changed to Bath when the post office was established." Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.8MB). US$500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 572
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The Miner's Ten Commandments. Used lettersheet (Baird 167) copyrighted by James Mason Hutchings in 1853 and printed by the San Francisco Sun, folded sheet 11.25x18.25", showing 10 illustrated miner scenes and corresponding text at center, used with letter datelined "Cache Creek April the 20/54" with letter to a lady informing her that her brother has "left this morning for rusion [Russian] river (the new mines) about one hundred miles from where he received a letter from you" signed "Hiram D. Smith, direct to Cache Creek, Yolo Co., Cottonwood township, Cal"; some wear along file folds and hinge reinforcements, Fine. Estimate; $400 - 600.
James M. Hutchings (1820-1902) first published this classic letter sheet in the Placerville Herald on June 4, 1853. The popularity of the Miner's Ten Commandments led him to print and sell 3 editions of 25,000 each. As he traveled around California gathering sketches and material which would appear in his California Magazine, he sold letter sheets, single and double, for 25 and 50 cents. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.1MB). US$400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 725.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 573
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Miners' Ten Commandments, A New Verse-ion. Used lettersheet by Cadiz Orion (Baird 169), lithographed by Britton & Rey, light blue folded doublesheet 10.75x16.75, showing three panel miner's scenes at top and text below, with letter datelined "Columbia, California, May 25th 1854" with some interesting miner's content "…I have worked out about a month. The most of the time I have been prospecting. I have had claims where I thought I should get my pile, but they have all turned out minus. The last claim that I had valued it at 250 dollars for my share. In one weak from that time we left the place; couldn't make it pay water and We are going to jump a claim tomorrow if we can. The men that own the claim don't agree & 2 or 3 of them are drunk half of the time. If a claim is left 3 days any body can jump the same.", Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
Miners Weighing Their Gold [upper] / The Dream of a Prospecting Miner [lower]. Unused lettersheet (Baird 170), published by Britton & Rey, with two illustrations, first of three miners seated around a crude table, one weighing gold as the others look watch, second of miner sleeping before a fire with weapons nearby and three vignettes above him, depicting his dreams, on single sheet of bluish paper, circa 1856, imprint trimmed away at bottom, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 129
Lot No: 575
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The Revolution of the People, Surrender of James P. Casey & Charles Cora to the Vigilance Committee on Sunday, May 18th, 1856. Used lettersheet (Baird 214) with detailed account of the actions of the vigilance committee and ultimate surrender of Casey & Cora with three-page letter datelined "Downieville Cala June 1st 1856" from Thomas B. Parker to his wife in Philadelphia, in which Parker relates interesting events, including the delay of her letter to him by a week as "the steamer was detained at Panama in consequence of the sad accident on the Rail Road, the particulars of which you heard before I did," Parker goes on to note "We have had one of the most exciting times in San Francisco that has occurred in this country since I have been here, it was the assassination of Jas King the editor of the Evening Bulletin in open day light by Jas P Casey the proprietor of the Sunday Times. The people turned out enmass and went to the county jail demanded Casey and also Chas Cora. who shot Genl. Richardson U.S. Marshall Marshall a few months ago and took them to the Vigilantes Committee's Rooms and give them both a fair trial before the Vig. Comm. and then hung both from a scaffold erected at the windows of the Committee Rooms. The law abiding people unanimously approve the course of the Committee. Cora who shot Genl. Richardson had one trial, and the jury did not agree so people saw that the civil law was a dead letter in the hands of set villains, hence the hanging of Cora and Casey"; some wear at file folds, small spot of erosion in center bottom quarter of text, F.-V.F., very rare. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
A WONDERFUL ILLUSTRATED LETTERSHEET DESCRIBING IN DETAIL THE FRONTIER JUSTICE IN PLACE IN CALIFORNIA IN 1856.
The San Francisco News Letter Business Page. Number 16 used lettersheet "Per Steamer Golden Age" with "Summary of Events from Feb. 20th to March 5th, 1857" on 11x17.5" bluish paper news letter; interesting contents with tremendous detail of the goings-on; advertisements include those for Wells, Fargo & Co., McCombe's, Freeman's Express, including illustrated article of "Mr. [Snoeshoe] Thompson, the Carson Valley Expressman…" with printed illustration showing Thompson on Skis in the Mountains and includes details of his route and efforts in delivering express mail to Carson Valley, letter on message portion of lettersheet datelined "Chinese Camp March 14th 57" reads in part "They are having a great time to Sonoma thear is eleven to be hang[ed] right of[f] some for killing white men and some for killing black men Spaniards and rob[b]ing and so forth, I think I shall go up to see some of them hang.", minor edge splits, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
THIS EARLY TYPE OF SAN FRANCISCO NEWS LETTER IS MUCH SCARCER THAN THE LATER ONES WITH ADDRESS PANEL INTEGRAL TO THE LETTERSHEET - UNLISTED IN BAIRD.
1973, 6¢ Progress in Electronics. Used lettersheet (Baird 251) copyright and published by Barber & Baker of Sacramento in 1854, Morris Ullman was the San Francisco agent and Barber & Baker had it printed at the San Francisco Sun office, contains two large wood-engraved views of San Francisco by George H. Baker, plus a small Bay area map, both views are from Rincon Point, with letter written by George J. Grinwald "San Francisco, August 14, 1855" to his "Dear Wife" and children…"It is with great pleasure I sit down to address these few lines to you, having arrived in San Francisco after a pleasant passage of twenty two days, Grinwald went by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt's Nicaragua Route. He departed New York on the Northern Light on July 20 and arrived in San Francisco on the Uncle Sam on August 12, 1855, along with 750 other passengers, including 170 women and 86 children, The times are very dull here at present…but I have succeeded in getting employment the day after my arrival at $50 dollars a month to go coasting. Thank gods I am in Good Health", Very Fine, a wonderful used dual view lettersheet in exceptional condition. Scott No. 1500; Estimate $750 - 1,000.
"San Francisco As It Was, 1849" comes from a sketch Baker made on June 1, 1849, a few days after his arrival. He also published it in the New York Tribune on August 28, 1849. Baker shows only a dozen of the 200 abandoned ships in the harbor, while shrubbery covers Rincon Hill. San Francisco, population 2,000, is a small cluster of buildings around Yerba Buena Cove, while tents climb the slope of Telegraph Hill. The waterfront is Montgomery Street. "San Francisco As It Is, 1854" derives from Baker's sketch in December 1854. In the foreground is probably the Union Iron Works at First and Mission Streets. The city has advanced seaward as its population increased 20 times, while houses creep up Telegraph Hill to the semaphore. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (2.0MB). US$750-1,000 (Image)
