LIVE AUCTION #22

IDAHO-MONTANA

450. Idaho. Ada. Boise Basin. McKinley Gold Mines Co. Cert. #3805. Incorporated in Arizona Territory, 1907. Issued to Wm. Morse for 500 shares in 1909. Signed by Arthur McKinley, president, and Philip H. McKinley, secretary. Vignette of three allegorical figures, two reclining on either side of a seated woman holding scales. Vignette of bald eagle with spread wings clutching “E Pluribus Unum” banner at bottom. Uncancelled. Light brown border with same safety print and gilt seal. Printer not noted. 8 x 10. Dateline: Kansas City, Mo.

Company spent $75,000 without return. They own “ 700 acres on Jupiter Mountain, Boise Basin, 6 miles from Idaho City. Shows a big vein carrying erratic values. Developed by a crosscut tunnel which has not yet reached the vein. Idle for lack of funds.” [Ref: Mines Handbook, Weed, 1918, pg. 744]. Fold creases but VF. Est. $30-60

451. Idaho. Alturas. Alturas Senate Mining Co. Cert #8. Incorporated in New York. Issued to John C. Banon for 100 shares in 1887. Signed by Lewis Edward president and Henry Weston secretary. No vignette. Orange border. Uncancelled. Printer - Hosford & Son, NY. 6 x 9”. Datelined New York. “Location of Mines & Works, Alturas County, Idaho” printed on certificate.

A quick review of the 1880 Census for Alturas County shows only 6 men who claimed to be in the mining industry. This shows that either miners were not fully counted or the mining boom had yet to take off. Alturas County covered much of southwest Idaho, being established in 1864. By 1889, the county name was discontinued as the overly large territory was broken up into smaller counties. The name Alturas was never used again for a county in Idaho. However, Alturas County was the location of the 1880’s mining rush, especially Wood River Valley, which became the county seat for a short period of time. (internet sources). Very fine. Est. $120-250

452. Idaho. Bingham. Blackfoot. Eastern Idaho Mining & Water Co. Cert. #1149. Unissued, unsigned, uncancelled. Vignette of train, having just crossed a bridge, now in the distance. Black border, printed by A. Gast & Co. Xf. 7 1/2” x 10 1/2”. Datelined Blackfoot, Idaho.

The town of Blackfoot began in 1879 and became the county seat of Bingham County. This company may have tried to build a custom mill, while trying to procure some of the local water rights. Apparently, the company never got off the ground as we have found no reference to this company. Vf. Est. $20-40

Idaho. Idaho Basin Gold Deposits. Please see Alaska. Yukon Gold, 1897 for important paper by Lindgren included within another publication.

453. Idaho. Nez Perce. Nez Perce Tribe Corporate Seal Stamp. Iron, with body of seal in shape of lion’s head. Painted black with copper and bronze paint highlights. Seal has Indian head with feathered headdress in center and around border reads: “Nez Perce Tribe, No. 117, Imp’d. O.R.M. San Francisco, California.” Base measures 7” long x 2 1/2” wide, with holes at either end for bolting to tabletop. 11” tall with black painted handle extended to fullest. C. 1900. Works perfectly. Est. $75-150

454. Idaho. Shoshone. Coeur d’Alene. Dreadnaught Mining Co. Cert. #137. Incorporated in Maine, 1901. Issued to Charles D. Hill, for 2500 shares in 1903. Signed by H.C. Arnold, treasurer, and E. C. Piper, president. Vignette, top center, of bull elk and smaller beehive vignette at bottom. Light

brown border with bright gilt seal. Uncancelled. Printer: Hobbs & Warren Co., Lith., Boston. 8 x 10. Dateline: Portland, Me. The property was located near the New York and Manhattan claims of the Interstate-Callahan. Developed by tunnels. At a depth of 730’ the No. 1 shoot was 42” wide and said to contain 10 oz. Silver, 12% lead and 4% zinc. A larger orebody is expected in another 200’ in. VF. Est. $30-60

455. Idaho. Shoshone. Coeur d’Alene. Jack Waite Mining Co. Cert. #S1395. Incorporated in Arizona, 1930. Issued to Mayo K. Walden, 1938, for 50 shares. Signed by J.F. Duthie, president, and by secretary. No vignette, light brown border and seal. Uncancelled. Printer: Farwest. 8 x 10. Operated by American Smelting & Refining Co. since 1934 with operating s profits split with Jack Waite Co. Formerly operated by Jack Waite Consolidated Mining Co. 157 claims at Duthie, in Coeur d’Alene mining district, Shoshone Co., ID, with large part of the mine workings extending into Sanders County, Montana. Silver, lead, zinc, gold property with 400-ton flotation mill. Employs 16 men. [Ref: Mines Reg., 1949, pg. 361]. VF. Est. $20-40

456. Idaho. Shoshone. Dead Man Gulch. Alma Mining Co, 1905. Prospectus. Property consisted of 12 claims located on Dead Man’s Gulch. Traversed by veins and outcroppings, from which samples average $6.82 gold per ton. The company was planning a developing a tunnel and shaft. 35pps, 16 printed photographs and 3 diagrams and maps. Dark blue print on blue paper. 6 x 10”. Very fine.

Est. $50-100

457. Idaho. Shoshone. Pierce. Gold Creek Placer Mining Co Prospectus, 1900. Property consisted of 8 claims covering 20 acres. There were plans to construct a 700 ft flumed and a hydraulic powered elevator. Printed photographs of accommodations and early prospecting are found throughout the prospectus. A claim map is attached on the inside of the front cover. Printer - F .W. Roberts Co, Cleveland. Well illustrated. Light blue cover. 6 x 9”. Minor foxing. Very fine. Est. $40-80

ILLINOIS

458. Illinois. Cook. Chicago. Columbian Expo Souvenir Medal, HK-154 (similar to). U. S. Govt Building / (pic of building ) / Width 351 ft. / Length 421 ft Area 3.3 Acres. Rd, br, 38mm. This variety is similar to that described in Hilbert Kappen 154, but is a slightly different die variety, as mentioned, but not shown in Hilbert Kappen. Rarity of this die variety is not noted. We assume very scarce. Toned around lettering on both sides. Very fine. Est. $50-100

459. Illinois. General. Illinois Real Estate Bonds. Lot of 18 pieces from numerous real estate parcels, dating in the 1920’s. Many are for apartment buildings. Beaconshire Apartments, The Broadway, 1701 Locust Street Apartment Hotel, The Fontenella, The Copeland, and others. Est. $50-75

INDIAN TERRITORY

460. Indian Territory. Lee & Reynolds Post Trader. Lee & Reynolds/Trade Check/Cheyenne Agency. Has raging bull on reverse. Rd, wm (nickel), 31mm. Vf, wear to high points, a bit dull. This trade comes with a very interesting story that is printed in detail in “NTCA, Talkin Tokens, Issue 03-08, Number 81, August, 2003, by Jerry Adams, p.50-55. We have only gleaned some highlights from this work and highly recommend reviewing Adams’ article for a full historical background. This token is believed to have been used between 1873 and 1881, specifically from an post trader that was established to serve the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian tribes. The trading post was located near present town of Darlington, Oklahoma. At the time it was considered and called, Indian Territory. Reynolds was an adventurous entrepre

neur who established trading posts in remote locations of the Indian Territory, eastern Colorado and northern Texas. Lee & Reynolds sold the store at Darlington in 1878 for $15,000 to Albert Eugene Reynolds brother, George. George Reynolds sold the store in 1881 to Charles T. Connell. Albert Eugene Reynolds became deeply involved in mining after 1883. “Among his various mining holdings over the years were the Virginius Mine and Revenue Tunnel near Ouray, Smuggler Mine at Aspen, Commodore mine at Creede and the May Day mine near Hesperus.” He also had several properties that failed to produce including: Belle of the West, Palmetto, Et Cetera, Tarifa both near Aspen, Senate, Forest King, Platoro, Golconda and Emma. Adams” article offers a value of $250-475. Est. $100-300

KANSAS

461. Kansas. Riley. Manhattan. Knights of Pythias, Phoenix Lodge Resolutions, 1902. Illustrated color letterhead of the Knights of Pythias logo in red, yellow and blue. The Resolutions make up 5 pages attached by black ribbon. Manuscript writing that is extremely attractive. Some chips around edges. Fine. Est. $30-60

462. Kansas. Rush. La Crosse. Eagle Market Butchers & Bakers Check Sheets, c.1915. Lot of 10 sheets. Each sheet has three checks that are all unused and unissued. The checks have The Eagle Market, Butchers, Bakers and Grocers at top with a vignette of a spread winged eagle at left. Black print on crème paper. Datelined La Crosse, Kansas and drawn on the La Crosse State Bank. Printer - Am Bank Supply Co, Indianapolis. Xf.

Est. $50-100

MEXICO

463. Mexico. Michaocan. Coapa. Santa Emilia Copper Co. Cert #304. Incorporated in Maine. Issued to George Ropp for 125 shares in 1905. Signed by A. J. Peyton president and M. Ward treasurer. Vignette at upper right of three miners underground. Vignette at upper left of Maine State Seal. Green border. Uncancelled. Printer - L. H. Biglow & Co. 7 x 11”. Datelined New York.

Company owned property 24 miles from Mexican National Railway in the Tacambaro district, 40 miles from Morelia. Company reported 3000 feet of workings and was developed by a 1200 ft tunnel named Napoleon. Management of the Santa Emilia was the same as that of the Natividad MC and the Dona Louisa Copper & Gold MC. Both of these companies were swindles and the Santa Emilia was regarded with suspicion. (Copper Handbook, 1908, p.1206-17). Very fine. Est. $50-100

464. Mexico. Sonora. Ortiz. Ruby Gold & Copper Co. Cert. #360. Incorporated in Arizona Territory, 1900. Issued to C. C. Goodwin, 1903, for 500 shares. Signed by Floyd B. Nelson, president, and Frederick K. Jones, treasurer. No vignette. Green border, safety print, seal. Uncancelled. 8 1/2 x 10.Lands, sundry claims, c. 40 miles NE of Ortiz, Sonora, including the slightly developed mina Magistral, and Los Angeles mine, which has a 300’ shaft and several hundred feet of drifts. Has a smelter, said to have been blown in June, 1905. Property was idle at last accounts, owing to depredations of the Yaqui Indians. [Ref. Copper Handbook, 1906, pg. 876]. VF. Est. $75-150

MICHIGAN

465. Michigan. Geology. U.S.G.S. Reports and Monographs on Iron Deposits in Michigan and Wisconsin. Lot of 4. Three U.S.G.S. volumes and articles on Wisconsin and Michigan iron deposits (Marquette, 1897, Michigan generally 1898-99, Lake Superior, 1911), and one U.S. Department of Interior circular on transportation of iron ore, Lake Superior District, 1947. Provenance: M. Rogers Library. Est. $150-200

466. Michigan. Houghton. Delaware Mining Co of Michigan. Cert. #187. Incorporated in Michigan in 1868. Issued to Nathan J. Sharpless in 1863 for 10 shares. Signed by Joseph G. Hentzey, president, and secretary Sm. Day. Vignette of two men, one holding “liberty and independence” banner. Black border/print. Printer: T. Sinclair Lith. 25 cent revenue stamp in lower left, and 4 2-cent stamps on reverse. Cancelled by lines through signatures. 8 x 10.

The Delaware Mine was located on the Allouez Lode at the northeastern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. No production from the mine was noted by Swineford 21 for the year

1875. In 1881 the Delaware sold its entire property to the Conglomerate Mining Company for 50,000 shares of the new company. [Ref: Wright.] At that time, the Delaware had four shafts that exploited nine levels to a depth in excess of 720 ft. VF. Est. $300-600

467. Michigan. Houghton. Demmon. Franklin Mining Co. Cert. #F7373. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to William O. Edmonds in 1913 for 96 shares. Signed by R.M. Edwards, president, and A.L. Nyman, secretary. No vignette. Fancy masthead. Red border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer: John A. Lowell Bank Note, Boston. 8 x 11. Two holes punched for binder on left edge. R..M. Edwards was not the president but director, located in Boston.

The Franklin MC re-incorporated three times, with the first in 1857, then 1887 and 1917. The company acquired the Rhode Island Copper Co. The mine was clearly successful, lasting for more than 60 years. It owned 3,200 acres of the Franklin Jr. tract. In 1917, the mine produced 3.2. Million pounds of copper. But by 1920, work was discontinued and the mine was entirely closed [Mines Handbook, 1925, p.1035-37.] It is interesting to note that the shares on this certificate were purchased before the mine reorganized for the final time. Fold creases. VF. Est. $50-150

468. Michigan. Houghton. Hancock. Hancock Cons Mining Co. Cert. #B19306. Incorporated in Michigan in 1906. Issued to James Dunn, 1925, for 10 shares. Signed by John D. Carelli, president, and J. Hicox, secretary. Eagle vignette. Black border on pale green paper. Uncancelled. Printer: Republic Bank Note Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 8 x 12.

The Hancock mine operated on the Atlantic amygdaloid lode along the north shore of Portage Lake. The company engaged in several years of development work, was delayed by strikes and the European war, but by 1915 was producing. From 1916 to 1918 the company showed a profit, but had no production after 1918 owing to low grades and a depressed metal market. [Ref. Various issues of the Copper and Mines Handbook.] Est. $25-50

469. Michigan. Houghton. Hancock. Oneco Copper Mining Co. Cert #1435. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to Paine, Webber & Co for 20 shares in 1910. Signed by John Brooks secretary and Geo N. Tinle asst president. No vignette. Purple border. Uncancelled. Printer - Boston Bank Note. 6 x 9”. Datelined Boston.

The company opened the mine in 1910 after a drilling campaign. A 1250 foot shaft and extensive drifting was put into place, but no production came from the development. By 1914, the company was idle. Very fine. Est. $25-50

470. Michigan. Houghton. Houghton. Conglomerate Mining Co. Cert. #181. Incorporated in Michigan 1880. Issued to Charles O. Baird in 1881 for 200 shares. Signed by Henry C. Davis, president, and C.M. Foulke as treasurer.

Vignette at top of three miners working underground; vignette at bottom center of Michigan state seal. Ornate black border and masthead. Uncancelled. Printer: American BN Co. 7 x 11.

The Conglomerate MC is listed in Lawton (1883, p. 215). His report is too well written to paraphrase. “The Conglomerate Mining Company is doing nothing in the way of mining; everything is as it has been for several years past; and it does not appear to be the present intention of the company to resume work in the mine. It is an old location but was never a prosperous one; far more money has been expended there than the copper has brought.” Total production from 1857 to 1882 was only 1,380 pounds of copper. Trimmed very tight at left edge. Fold crease but VF. Est. $150-300

471. Michigan. Houghton. Houghton. Huron Copper Mining Co. Cert #3293. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to Joseph J. Comfrey for 50 shares in 1891. Signed by J. C. Watson president and D. L. Demmon secretary. Vignette at top center of Michigan State seal and vignette at left edge of cross sectional view of mine. Brown border, print and vignettes. Uncancelled. Printer - M. R. Warren, Boston. 7 x 10”. Datelined Boston.

The Huron was located on the Isle Royal Lode. Except for the year 1866, the mine produced continually from 1855 through 1889. During this period the operation was plagued with difficulties including a series of fatal accidents, a dam failure, boiler explosions and destruction of the stamp mill by fire. The company was marginally profitable owing to the low grade ore. Very fine. Est. $200-400

472. Michigan. Houghton. Keweenaw Copper Co. Cert #A11282. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to George Durich for 2 shares in 1914. Signed by Spencer Hill vice president and A. Wright secretary. Vignette of state seal. Blue border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - ABN. 7 x 11”.

This company controlled the Phoenix Cons Copper Co, Meadow MC, Humboldt MC, Washington Copper Co and Keweenaw Central Railroad. The company collectively owned 25,000 acres. In 1917, there was significant exploratory work with 53 drill holes. Also in 1917, production was 40,000 pounds of copper. Very fine. Est. $50-100

473. Michigan. Houghton. Mayflower Old Colony Copper Co. Cert #10774. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to Jessie L. Tuttle for 30 shares in 1923. Signed by Morrissey secretary and H. F. Fay president. No vignette. Green border, safety print and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - John A. Lowell. 7 x 10”. Datelined Boston.

The company formed to consolidate the Mayflower MC and Old Colony MC. It owned 2040 acres on Mineral Ridge south of Kearsarge mine and east of the Wolverine. The company did extensive exploratory work between 1917 and 1930 with only minor production. By 1929, drill information suggested interception of a rich vein. The vein was never exploited. Minor foxing along edges. Fine to very fine. Est. $50-100

474. Michigan. Houghton. Michigan Mining Stocks, 1916-1924. Lot of 3 different pcs. (1) Cert #30590. Lake Copper Co. Issued to Homer Goodwin for 1 share in 1924. Signed by Wm Paine (of the Paine, Webber & Co) and R. H. Thomas. Vignette of woman seated on pedestal. Green border and underprint. Cancelled by hole punches. Very fine. (2) Cert #B237. National Mining Co, unissued, unsigned. Vignette of spread winged eagle, red border and underprint. Uncancelled. Xf. (3) Cert #C2765. Michigan Copper Mining Co, issued 1916, signed, vignette at bottom center of two miners, cancelled by hole punches. Bottom left corner has condition problem. Poor condition. Very fine. Est. $100-200

475. Michigan. Houghton. Pennsylvania Mining Co. Cert #530. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to R. P. Henszey for 100 shares in 1865. Signed by Joseph G. Henszey president and S. M. Day secretary. Vignette of a state seal. Black border and print. Cancelled by black pen. Printer - Leonhardt, Philadelphia. 7 x 10”. Datelined Philadelphia. 25 cent revenue stamp at bottom left.

The Pennsylvania MC was but one step in a long series of failed operations. The company was formed through the reorganization of the Northwest Copper Co. Northwest itself was formed in 1849 from the previously existing Northwest Copper Mining Assoc. The Pennsylvania MC located new prospects in light of the of the poor return the previous mines had yielded. New mines were opened on the Eagle, Branch and Trotter veins. The Pennsylvania fared not better that the last, however, and in 1863, a portion of the properties were purchased by the Delaware MC. This partnership ended in 1866 when the stock holders took possession of and operated the mines. The company was reorganized by 1876. Some damage to left edger from glued stub, which is no longer present. Fine to very fine. Est. $250-500

476. Michigan. Houghton. Ridge Copper Co. Cert #1474. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to Hannah Riley for 100 shares in 1881. Signatures obscured by cross outs. No vignette. Cancelled. Printer - J. J. Bloomfield. 6 x 9”. Datelined New York.

The Ridge mine was first worked in 1849. In 1860, Thomas Mason purchased the property for $200,000 and in 1863 a new company, Ridge Copper Co, was organized. The Ridge mine operated from 1850-1874, producing 2500 tons of copper and paid $100,000 in dividends. The property was consolidated in with the Mass Cons MC in 1899. Dark stain along left edge from stub attachment, which is not present. Wrinkled. Fine. Est. $100-200

477. Michigan. Houghton. Seneca Mining Co. Lot of 2 different certs. Cert #520. Issued to Ashley Watson & Co for 50 shares 1899, vignette of woman near headframe, vignette of cross sectional view of mine. Cancelled by hole punches. Poor condition. Cert #1051. Issued to A. S. Knight for 280 shares in 1909. Vignettes at left of miners underground, vignette at top center of state seal. Cancelled by hole punches. The company owned the Seneca mine, which was mostly idle until Calumet & Hecla invested in the company. Not until the company was reorganized into the Seneca Copper MC did production begin. Est. $50-100

478. Michigan. Houghton. Tecumesh Copper Co. Cert #C1501. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to P. W. Thornton for 10 shares in 1905. Signed by J. C. Watson president and D. L. Demmon secretary. Vignette of state seal and vignette at left edge of Indian. Pink border and print. Cancelled by hole punches and by rubber stamp. Printer not noted. 7 x 11”. Datelined Boston. The company was controlled through stock ownership by the La Salle Copper Co. It owned 500 acres south of the Osceola mine. New management took over after 1906. Production increased in 1908 to 60,000 pounds of copper. Property was sold to La Salle Copper Co for $1.6 million in 1910. Stub attached at left edge. Fine to very fine. Est. $75-150

479. Michigan. Houghton. Winona Copper Co. Cert #A5706. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued Charles E. Perkins for 100 shares in 1918. Signed by Chris Paine Jr president and Paine secretary. No vignette. Brown border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - John A. Lowell, Boston. 8 x 11”. Property was located on the Winona amygdaloid lode and was discovered in 1864 by a line of old Indian mining pits. Winona began production in 1902 and by 1915 had produced more than 11.5 million pounds of copper. The company continued to operate profitably until 1922. Very fine. Est. $50-100

480. Michigan. Houghton. Wyandot Copper Co. Cert. #5288. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to Paine, Webber & Co, for 10 shares in 1914. Signed by officers. No vignette. Green border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - John A. Lowell, Boston. 7 x 11”.

Company worked for nearly two decades on its property adjoining the Winona mine, but never profitably. In 1918, the property was considered worked out. Very fine. Est. $50-100

481. Michigan. Ontonagon. Calumet. Calumet & Hecla Lead Ingot. 3.75 long x 1.25 wide x 0.25 tall. 11 ounces. Lead was poured into a mould that would have had C & H C at bottom of the mould. Authentic from Calumet & Hecla, Michigan. Est. $40-80

482. Michigan. Ontonagon. Calumet. Calumet & Hecla Souvenir Copper Ingot. 2.5 long, 0.5 wide x 1” tall. 10 ounces. C & H embossed on top. The ingot has a “V” shaped dip about 1/3 in from right. This is the more scarce large size than the smaller more common souvenir copper ingots that were sold from the Calumet & Hecla Mine. Neat piece.

Est. $75-150

483. Michigan. Ontonagon. Calumet. Mass Mine Souvenir Copper Ingot. 1.25 long x 0.30 wide x 0.5 tall. 2 ounces. Mass embossed on top. “V” shaped dip about 1/3 the way in from right. Mass Mine souvenir copper ingots are rare.

Est. $50-100

484. Michigan. Ontonagon. Lake Superior. St. Croix & Lake Superior Mineral Co. Cert #660. No incorporation information. Issued to H. H. Houghton for 1 share in 1845. Signed by R. Choate, R. Rantoul Jr and one other that we could not make out. No vignette. Design at left edge, black print. Uncancelled. Printer - Dutton & Wentworth’s Print, Boston. 8 x 8”. Datelined Boston. We were unable to determine the relationship of H. H. Houghton to Dr. Douglas Houghton, the first State Geologist of Michigan, appointed 1837, who died in a freak boating accident of the Keewanaw Point in 1845 at the age of 36.

The United States government took possession of the Indian Lands surrounding Lake Superior with the Treaty of La Pointe in 1839. In 1841, Douglas Houghton submitted a report to the Legislature on his findings of copper ore deposits locating on the Keewanaw Peninsula. He warned that there was limited possibility for get rich quick ore, rather requiring a “real” mining operation. This did not squelch the Copper Rush that began in 1842. By 1845, thousands of would-be miners poured into the Copper Harbor region of the Keewanaw Peninsula, reaching its peak in 1846.

The area was known as the Lake Superior Copper district, as outlined in Houghton’s report, which was published after his death. He wrote: “The occurrence of native copper, sometimes with native silver throughout the entire trap region is a fact of the utmost interest and importance.” (p.266). Another quote from Houghton’s report, which was full completed by 1846 by another author after he died, stated “Previous to 1846 not less than 53 companies for mining copper in the Lake Superior region had been formed and by the time of Dr. Koch’s visit hardly a fourth were in active operation…Many of these…were abandoned prematurely, before the hidden treas

ures had been discovered. (p.267).

Mining laws as we know them today did not yet exist with no set format for establishing mining claims and property. The government attempted to use the same procedures that were in place for lead deposits, but the issuance of mining permits in the Lake Superior district were deemed illegal in 1847. Instead the government was forced to just sell the land, similar to agricultural sales, for just $1.25/acre. The Copper Rush waned due to limited wealth generated by the prospectors and lack of serious mining operations. Also, gold fever hit the East Coast by 1849, everyone headed West. Extraction of the vast amounts of copper, with silver and some gold, did not begin in earnest until around 1860. Few companies were successful, but the ones that were became fabulously wealthy, rewarding the stockholders for years to come. (Dunbar).

R. Rantoul Jr. (1805-1852) was a lawyer in Boston “who became interested in 1845 in business enterprises in the Mississippi Valley…His project for a timber and mining corporation in Minnesota involved him in financial ruin.” (DAB, v. 15, p.382). R. Choate (1799-1859) was Valedictorian of Dartmouth in 1819, a lawyer, congressman. He wrote Dan Webster’s eulogy in 1852. (DAB, v. 4, p.86-90). This is the earliest Michigan mining stock we have ever handled. A nice piece of early American organized mining efforts. Very fine. Est. $800-1500

485. Michigan.. Ontonagon. Indiana Mining Co. Cert #A3571. Incorporated in Michigan. Issued to George F. Breen for 100 shares in 1925. Signed by T. Woods president and C. Paine. Vignette of Indian. Green border and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - Franklin Lee ABN. 7 x 11”. Datelined Boston. Mine located on the Evergreen Lode in Ontonagon County. In 1925, the company, a 1500 foot shaft and the property, was considered promising. The officers of this company were also in charge of the Corbin MC and North Lake MC. Very fine. Est. $50-100

MONTANA

Montana. Judith Basin. Please see Alaska. Yukon Gold, 1897 for important 180pp paper included within another publication.

486. Montana. Gallatin. Bozeman. Charles D. Loughrey Photographs, c.1890. Lot of 4 pcs. Charles D. Loughrey was more of an entrepreneurial outdoorsman than a professional photographer. A wonderful story has been published about Loughrey and his brother-in-law Jack Bean.

These two ran a hunting guide business that mostly catered to Englishmen. The brothers chased big game near what today is known as the Gallatin National Forest. Charlie Loughrey was known to lug along his camera as they traveled down pack trails. But to the English hunters, Charlie was better known as “The Cook”. In the book, “Buckskin, Buffalo Robes & Black Powder, Fifty Years in the Old West” by Don L. Weibert, 1997, almost every photographic plate was taken by Loughrey.

Three of the photos show different camps taken by Loughrey. The last is a shot of several men standing on an outcrop. All are 6 x 8”, mounted on 8 x 10”. Two are stamped by Charlie Loughrey on reverse. Est. $250-500

487. Montana. General. Montana Silver Medallion, HK-820. MONTANA SILVER ASSOCIATION/ (pic. of miner and millsite)/ SILVER THE KEY/ TO/ PROSPERITY/ 1933/ HELENA, MONTANA// ONE TROY OUNCE OF SILVER 999 FINE/ (pic Montana State Seal)/ MONTANA. Rd, silver, 1.5” diameter, XF. Counterstamp “M” in the hills behind the mill, same as illustrated in the Hilber-Kappan book, #820. This was a promotional piece by the Montana Silver Association, made to help finance the group’s aim to promote the use of silver in America. Each member received this coin in lieu of $1 dues. HK reported that fewer than 100 survive, which is probably well less than half that after the 1981 high silver prices when medals like this went to the smelter. HK value $250. Est. $200-400

488. Montana. Jefferson. Alta. Alta Montana Co. Cert #2490. Incorporated in Territory of Montana. Issued to J. E. Mac Arthur for 100 shares in 1881. Signed by W. W. Wicks president and Robert Brooks secretary. Vignette of a small train pulling away from a small town with mountain backdrop. Smaller vignette at bottom center of miners surveying underground. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - ABN. 7 x 11”. Datelined New York.

This company owned the Alta and Cornet mines. Assays were reported at $20 gold, 35 ounces silver and 19% lead. The Alta Montana Co sold its property to the Helena Mining & Reduction Co. (Balch, 1882, p.490). Minor foxing along edges. Fine to very fine. Est. $120-250

489. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Dreamland. Pauper’s Dream Mining & Milling Co. Cert #29. Incorporated in Montana. Issued to Frederick Kenyon for 1667 shares in 1910. Signed by M. S. Longley president and Charles Leonard secretary. Vignette of a train traveling through a valley. Black border with bronze seal. Uncancelled. Printer - Utah Litho, Salt Lake City. 8 x 11”. “Principal Office, Butte, Montana. Mines

at Dreamland, Montana.” printed on certificate.

Dreamland was a short lived town located near Rimini in Lewis & Clark County. Tears along fold creases from top edge. Some wrinkling. Very fine. Rare and has a great location and name. Est. $40-80

490. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Helena. American Smelting & Refining Co Nickel Babbitt Ingot. This ingot was acquired in Montana and is probably from the ASARCO smelter at East Helena. 1.75 wide x 8 long x 0.75” tall. Embossed on top of bar is “Federated Metals Division American Smelting and Refining Co XXXX Nickel Babbitt.” 3.5+ pounds.

Nickel Babbitt “is the result of over sixty years constant effort to produce the best alloy, regardless of cost. Today, it stands supreme in the field of high grade bearing metals…It holds the oil film. It pours freely and fills all liner crevices. It’s anti-frictional. It cannot cut the shaft. It resists high temperatures. It has high thermal conductivity.” (ref: www.conquestind.com). Bright and clean. Modern. Est. $50-150

491. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Helena. Goodall Bros Assayers Pulp Bag, c.1910-1930. “Goodall Bros, Assayers, Helena, Montana” printed in black on the bag. 6 x 14”. Never used. Very fine. Est. $50-100

492. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Helena. Helena & Livingston Smelting & Refining Co. Cert #1171. Incorporated in Territory of Montana. Unissued, but filled in. Signed, but not from the officers. This certificate should be thought of as Unissued, unsigned. Vignette of spread winged eagle. Green border and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer not noted. 7 x 11”.

The Helena & Livingston formed in 1888, purchased the Comet and Alta mines. The company went on to build a concentrator and the first smelter at East Helena. By 1900, the company was diversifying its funds, investing heavily into the Missouri River Power Co as well as being financially involved with the United States Smelting and Refining Co. The company sold its smelter at East Helena to ASARCO in 1900. The lot comes with a copy of the 1901 Annual Report and an article about the smelter from a Helena Newspaper, 1995. We have never seen this certificate, issued or unissued. Extremely fine. Est. $25-50

493. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Helena. Penn Yan Mining Co. Cert #17. Incorporated in Montana. Issued to F. R. Shaffer for 1500 shares in 1887. Signed by Henry H. Hill president and Geo H. Hill secretary. Vignette that contains the reverse and obverse of US Coins, all dated 1876. Brown border and safety print. Cancelled by black pen, difficult to see. Printer - Pioneer Press St. Louis. 9 x 11”. Datelined Helena, Montana. We suspect that this company had operations near Helena, but are not sure where. The vignette of this piece is what makes it one of the great mining certificates. Very fine. Est. $200-400

494. Montana. Lewis & Clark. Marysville. T. Holter Advertising Wall Calendar, 1899. The calendar was never used, or the month sheets were never torn off or creased back. The calendar is stapled at bottom portion of 11 x 14” back. The backing has a 5 x 8” image of two hunting dogs looking very birdy. Around image are gold accents and some floral embossing. Below image is printed “Compliments of T. Holter, Dealer in Staple and Fancy Groceries, Marysville, Mont.”

Marysville is a town about to be a ghost town. There are a few full time residents and some active mining. Marysville was once a booming mining camp located northwest of Helena. (internet sources) Three of the four corners have minor damage, either from creases or minor wear. Small tear at hole for hanging at top edge. Overall very fine. Rare, if not extremely rare. Est. $75-150

495. Montana. Meagher. Castle. Cumberland Mining & Smelting Co. Cert #657. Incorporated in Montana. Issued to Charles E. Jones for 1500 shares. Signed by Chas. E. Severance president and R. H. Muity secretary. Vignette of a several mills and smelters at the base of a mountain. Black border with orange seal, safety print and underprint. Uncancelled. Printer - Geo. D. Barnard & Co, St. Louis. 8 x 11”. “Castle, Montana” printed below title.

Castle was located near White Sulphur Springs in the

Castle Mountains. The town began to boom around 1884, lasting until the mid 1890’s. In 1936, only 2 residents were left, and today it’s a ghost town. (internet source). Poole (1898) states that the company was a silver mine with a smelter and two stacks. Extremely fine. Very attractive. Est. $200-400

496. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Alice Gold & Silver Mining Co Document Collection, 1884-1906. This archive contains about 350 letters. It is primarily made up of broken correspondence between the Walkers and their mine superintendent. There are a disproportionate amount of letters from 1884 (about 100), 1885 (about 65), 1886 (about 36), and 1896 (about 200), with only a few letters for the other years. At least 100 multiple page manuscript letters. The general superintendent in the 1880’s was William E. Hall, located at “Walkerville, M. T.” Letters were written by C. K. Gilchrist, attorney for the Company in Salt Lake City, the Company’s headquarters, and Ben Raybould, corporate secretary, Joseph R. Walker (president of the Alice G&SMC) and others. The bulk of the correspondence are reports to Hall from Reybould from the Company office in Salt Lake City.

These reports discuss the bullion shipments and important equipment issues. The letters were written at a time when the mine was undergoing expansion and mining at a maximum rate. New hoists, stamps and milling equipment were of a big concern since the costs of mining and milling had to be kept to a minimum to compete with neighboring mines. There is discussion about changing grades of ore, exploration techniques, tax issues and development. A number of the letters discuss the losses and problems apparent in re-melting and assaying the dore bullion that was shipped from the mine. This was a problem all over the west, and addressed at some length in various professional papers not referred to in these letters. Their production in 1884 was running about $90,000 per month, mostly in silver. The dore was reported at about 450 fine silver and 001 fine gold. The remainder was usually copper. In later years the mine got to the bottom of the ore system, and the amount of copper and zinc increased with depth. The later letters after 1900 reflect the company’s interest in the new zinc market and how the Alice ores might affect cash flow with zinc added to the smelter returns.

The Walker Brothers Bankers in Salt Lake City received the first ores from the discovery claim, the Acquisition. Future mining magnate Marcus Daly was employed by the Walker Brothers, and they sent him to the Butte area to investigate. Daly “obtained a bond on the Alice for $5,000.” Robert Walker, Marcus Daly and professor Joshua Clayton personally inspected the property, and Clayton named the lode that contained the Alice, Moulton, Magna Carta, and Valdemere the Rainbow lode.

The Alice was “the Pioneer shaft of the great Anaconda Hill.” The mine got its start in 1876, with a 200’ deep shaft by 1877. About that time the Walker Brothers had an old 20 stamp mill from Ophir Canyon, Utah hauled to the property. A roaster was added within 2 years. The ores kept coming and under Daly’s supervision, the mine grew quickly. A 60 stamp mill was built in 1880 for the Alice that included two roasters for the fresh sulfide silver-gold-copper ore. The Rainbow lode was notable for the silver and gold produced from a nearly 100 foot wide zone in granite filled by breccia and quartz. At the time that Weed wrote about the Alice in Geology and Ore Deposits of the Butte District, Montana, USGS Professional Paper 74, 1912, the Alice shaft was 1500 feet deep, but had run into low grade sulfide ores. Then J. B. A. Haggin purchased the Anaconda mine in 1880, Daly switched companies and went to work for George Hearst, Lloyd Tevis and Haggin. He said “The Alice mine is good, but the Anaconda is better” (Sanders, History of Montana, 1913, vol 1, p 440.) By 1887 the Alice had 80 stamps second only to the Bluebird’s 90 stamps in the district. It was thought that the district average at that time was $25 per ton.

The Walker Brothers continued operation of the mine through at least 1906. About this time, the Anaconda Copper Mining Co., which had been formed in 1895, acquired the Alice and most of the better mines at Butte. The Alice was acquired for stock, 30,000 shares of Anaconda, worth a reported $750,000. The Walker Brothers apparently felt the mine was near an end. When the acquisition was made, Anaconda was in one of its most profitable phases at the time, having paid $7,800,000 in dividends in 1907, the highest dividends paid by the company by far in the fist decade of the twentieth century.

About 1906 when the Butte and Superior Copper Co was organized, the mining industry began to look at the deeper portions of the Butte mines that were rich in zinc. As the steel industry developed technologically, the demand for zinc increased accordingly. The Butte mines were perfect providers. 1906 was the last year of production for the Walker Brothers at the Alice. That year their ore dropped to a value of $7.70 per ton on 3170 tons of ore produced. Numerous legal issues (Apex, etc.) arose about that time, and it was better for the whole area to come under single management. (Stevens, The Copper Handbook, 1911).

This is an outstanding archive from one of the most famous and important mines at Butte. Est. $2500-5000

497. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Anaconda Copper Mining Co Newsletters. Supervisor’s News Bulletin by Mine Manager, correspondence, and text of speeches delivered, all dating 1956-1967. Est. $50-100 (not illustrated)

498. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Anaconda Mine Papers Presented at AIME National Meeting, 1923. Lot of 2 pcs. Each is a hard bound publication of the papers presented at the national meetings. (1) 1923, 1209pps. The first three papers are about the Anaconda mine located at Butte. The other papers cover several different topics. (2) 1918, 753pps. Papers cover a wide spectrum of topics. Both are in fine condition with some wear to the hard boards. Provenance: M. Rogers Library. Est. $30-60

499. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Butte & Superior Copper Co. Specimen Cert. #0000. Incorporated in Arizona Territory, 1906. Unissued and unsigned with “Specimen” stamped in red on signature lines. Stub is attached. Large Vignette of smelter atop a long barren ridge, with trestles shown approaching the site. Green border, safety print, underprint and seal. Printer: Western Bank Note & Eng. Co., Chicago.

This certificate is post-1916, when the original name of Butte & Superior Mining Company was changed to “Copper Company”. Near the surface the commercial ore consisted principally of silver, which was mined in the early days of Butte mining. Commercial zinc ore was developed at lower levels. The ore averages about 18% zinc, 1.25% lead, .2% copper, 8 oz. Silver and 30 c. gold. “ In 1912 the controlling interests of the company passed into the hands of Hayden, Stone & Co., who have been closely identified with the Utah Copper Co., Chino, Ray and other of our greatest and most successful mining companies…” [Ref: Copper Hndbk, 1916, pgs. 285-7]. XF. Est. $100-200

500. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Butte Area Cabinet Cards, c.1880-1890. Lot of 4 different cards. (1) Photo by Peoples Gallery, 67 W. Park Street, Butte, Montana. Image of man and dog, slightly under-exposed. (2) Photo by Broadway Studio, Butte, Mont. Image of young lady. (3) Photo by Imperial Studio, T. W. Mack, J, Alex Kyle. 61 W. Park St, Butte, Mont. Image of two young men. (4) Photo by Dusseau, Butte, Mont. Image of man. Reverse has photographers logo printed in green. All are in extremely fine condition. Est. $25-50

501. Montana. Silver Bow. Butte. Original Mine Souvenir Copper Watch Fob, c.1920-30. Badge shaped fob with “Original Mine / pic of headframe and mine buildings / Butte, Montana. 1.25 x 1.25”. A wonderful Butte collectible. Est. $50-100

502. Montana. Yellowstone. Montana and Yellowstone National Park, 1881. Facts and experiences on the Farming, Stock Raising, Mining, Lumbering, and Other Industries of Montana, and Notes on the Climate, Scenery, Game, Fish and Mineral Springs…Applicable to the Wants of the Capitalist, Homeseeker, or Tourist, by Robert E. Strayhorn. Publisher: Ramsey, Millet & Hudson, Kansas City, 1881.191 pp. Contains interesting etchings, a list of stagecoach rates to various different Montana stops, and a breakdown of costs for outfitting a pack train—Lots of hard-to-get information. Boards very stained and warped. Poor condition. Est. $15-30