335. California. Alpine. Silver Mountain. "The Pearl" Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #114. Incorporated in 1863. Issued to Mary F. Owens for 5 shares in 1864. Uncancelled. Signed by president J. O. Eldridge and secretary James C. Dagby. White paper with black underprint artwork and border. Vignette of a young girl at a desk with books. She appears to be shading her eyes with her left hand. Two revenue stamps adhered to left side. Printed by Water Brothers & Co., 9 1/4" x 5 1/2". The Silver Mountain camp was probably discovered in the late 1850's but saw no intense activity until 1863. VF. $450

336. California. Amador. Jackson. Amador Dispatch Book & Job Printing Office, Billhead, 1874. The billhead has a legal paper attached. It appears that the person for whom the bill was for passed on prior to payment. W. M. Penry, of the Amador Dispatch, filed to recover his money. Both pieces dated 1874. The legal paper as a stamp seal for the County of Amador featuring a tree within the seal. Extremely fine. $40

337. California. Amador. Jackson. Gold Specimen. Identical mounting as the one below. About 2.7oz with box. 2" tall x 1.5" wide 1" deep. Visible gold in white quartz. These specimens are from the same collection as those we offered in Auction #17, where there are color photographs. We have 3 similar pieces of this size and quality. $285/each

338. California. Amador. Jackson. Gold Specimen. Mounted on foam within plastic case. Similar in size to above but less visible gold. These specimens are from the same collection as those we offered in Auction #17, where there are color photographs. We have 2 specimens of similar quality. $175 and $200

339. California. Calaveras. Melones. Horse Shoe Bend Gold Mining Co, c.1902. Prospectus. 8pp, with "statement". 8 x 11", blue paper. Rough along outer right edge. Boston promotion. Owned the Wisconsin quartz claim, located one mile from the Melones Mine on the county border. The prospectus contains no valuable or resourceful information. In it, Horace Heath discusses six quartz veins with only scattered assay data and a paragraph on old placer production. Also includes a large orange one page ad on the back of the front cover of United States Journal for Investors, 1902. $75

340. California. Calaveras. Smith's Flat. Belmont-Osborn Mining Co. Cert.#382. Incorporated in Nevada in 1929. Issued to Bertha Warren for 500 shares in 1929. Signed by president J.C. (?) and secretary Auger. Two vignettes of female allegorical figures flanking masthead. Brown border. Printed by Mysell Rollins Co. 9" x 11 1/2". Vf, some minor tears. Smith's Flat was located two miles west of Angel's Camp. The district was very active in the 1890's. However, this company's production remains unknown. (Ref: Rand Sturgis, 1931, p.498). $30

341. California. Contra Costa. Alhambra. Dr. F. B. Elwood Medicine Bottle, c.1895. Dr. F. B. Elwood / Druggist / Alhambra, Cal. Some staining. Scratches on back. No chips. Purple tint. 4" tall. Rare. $40

342. California. Contra Costa. Contra Costa Basin Map. Map #4, Salt Marsh & Tide Lands Situate in the City of Alameda, 1882, by G.F. Allardt. Scale is 1" = 66'. Shows depth of water, topographic features, all domestic features, all domestic features and property ownership. Has four tables showing the "meander of sloughs", etc. Blue line map on cloth, with wood roller at the bottom. Browned. Top is rough with chips, cracks, etc., but the cloth backing is competent and whole. The map shoreline extends from section 27 and the town of Oakland at the bottom of the map, to the San Pablo Ranch in the north. 40 x 51. $250

343. California. Contra Costa. Suisun. Lewis Pierce Steamer Billheads, 1863-64. Lot of 2 different pcs. Both pieces have a vignette of a schooner at left edge with Lewis Pierce printed above. Datelined at Suisun with freight shipped from the Port of Suisun. Printed on blue paper and 5 x 11. Very fine. $100

344. California. Contra Costa. Suisun. Lewis Pierce Steamer Billheads, 1864-65. Lot of 3 different pcs. All three pieces are for freight shipped from the Port of San Francisco and are datelined at Suisun. Lewis Pierce is printed above the vignette. All three also have a vignette at the left of a schooner. Printed by Towne & Bacon and 5 x 11. All have a fold crease to the right of the vignette. Minor foxing. Very fine. $150

345. California. El Dorado. Slippery Ford & Tallac. El Dorado Multiple Postmarked Cover, 1894. The front of the cover has a moderate black strike cancel from "Slippery Ford, Cal, 1894." The reverse has a postmark cancel from Tallac, Cal, 1894 and a weak strike cancellation from Tahoe. The fourth cancellation is from Vacaville, where the letter was sent. Adhesive 2 cent stamp at upper right. Opened at left edge. No letter. Very fine. $75

346. California. Fresno. Big Creek. Big Creek Real Photo Postcards & Photographs, c.1925. Lot of approximately 80 pcs. Among beautiful mountain and rushing river scenes are mining and railroad images. Most have white borders,2 3/4" x 4 1/2", 3" x 5", and some 3 1/4" x 4 1/2". Images of "Hospital Camp", other various camps, "wildflowers" and others. There are several geographic features with the name of Big Creek throughout the entire state of California. The only town or locality we found was located in Fresno County. The location was named after the Big Creek project of Southern Cal Edison, which was begin in 1911. One of the cards is marked as Carlson, Cal. Carlson Station was a rail depot near Big Creek (California's Geographic Place Names, Durham, 1998). Previously, we had incorrectly identified this location as being in Inyo County. All Vf, some with dark spotting. $400

347. California. General. California and its Wonders by Rev. John Todd, D.D., 1880. "Carefully revised and brought down to the present time." Contains 17 illustrations of various geographic areas such as Bridal Veil Falls, Calaveras Grove, a map of Yosemite, Sentinel Rock, Vernal Falls, San Francisco Bay and more. Wonderfully written! Hardbound, 4 1/2" x 6 3/4", 208 pages, dings to corners and spine, some dirt, otherwise VF. $140

348. California. General. California Cattle & Land Co Bond. $100 Bond #12 issued July 25, 1903. Signed by president E. D. Baker and M. A. French as secretary. Distinctive caricature-type vignette of horses and cowboys with cattle at center top. White paper with green underprint, black vignette and lettering and gold seal. 14 four dollar coupons attached at bottom. 14 3/4" x 16 3/4". Attached to foam core with shrink wrap. Folds, fading. VF. $600

349. California. General. California in the Fifties by John Howell, 1936. Contains "fifty views of cities and mining towns in California and the west, originally drawn on stone by Kuchel & Dresel and other early San Francisco lithographers". Lithos are terrific! Comparisons drawn between California towns in the 1850's with the same geographical location today show that not much seems to have changed. Los Angeles of 1857 was described by Major Horace Bell as "the wildest frontier town of the time where hardly a day passed without its murder, its street brawl or the resulting funeral..." Spanish was heard almost as frequently on the streets as was English." Both copies are hardbound, 18 1/2" x 12 1/2", faded with a couple of small folds to pages otherwise XF. We have two of these. $550/each

350. California. General. Early California Counters by L.B. Fauver, 1991. Includes history, origin and evolution of counters. Soft cover, 112 pages, spiral bound, 8 1/2" x 11". Mint. We have several. $15/each

351. California. General. Historical and Descriptive Sketch Book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino, 1873. Most important, by far, reference on Napa and Sonoma mining districts with particular emphasis on the silver and mercury mines. Illustrations throughout. Contents include an "Ode to Napa", general descriptions with information on climate, Indian tribes, historical and biographical background, towns and watering places, agricultural resources, the future, sources of wealth and general miscellany. Wonderful historical piece. Hardbound, 356 pages, 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" Spine is chipped and coming loose, small amount of water damage to inside front page and along edges of page corners. Fading and a couple of small tears otherwise VF. $450

352. California. Glenn. Pocket Map. Road Districts Nos. 2 & 3, Glenn Co, Cal. Map, c.1945-50. No date and no publication information. About 60 pages. This is a pocket map that shows property ownership, lot numbers, roads, rivers, etc. R. L. Miller with an address is hand written on the front page. There is also a check stub for the Miller Construction Co, which brackets the dates that Miller owned the pocket map to 1955-1960, as the stub is dated 1957. Miller probably used this map extensively for his business as there are several notes and calculations found throughout. Cover has creases and wear from daily use. Fine. $100

353. California. Gold Rush. Coast Survey Maps, 1851. This hardbound book contains 58 plates of the coastal areas of western, eastern and southern US. The US Coastal Survey performed the field work and published these coastal maps in response to the California Gold Rush. The maps were generated to prove routes and safe navigation within the inter-coastal waterways and bays. Front cover title "Maps, Coast Survey" in gold gilt lettering. Detailed contents page lists all maps. This atlas accompanied the annual report of the Supt of the US Coast Survey, 32nd Congress, 2nd Session, 2nd Session. Ex. Doc. 3, Senate. Inscribed on the front leaf is "George Wadleigh." Brown boards and gilt print. Exterior is dirty with minor wear to corners. Edges of plates are foxed. Extremely fine condition. $1100

354. California. Gold Rush. Phelp's Travelers Guide, 1849, published by Ensigns & Thayer, NY. Bright red boards with gilt, generally in excellent condition with map, 20 x 25". This drawn and engraved map by J. M. Atwood, NY, is spectacular, lined completely around the edges with engravings of the presidents and prominent men of US history along with all the state seals up to that time. The outlines of the each state are hand colored. The west is inset (roughly 6 x 5.5") at the lower right corner. The map data predates the California Gold Rush, showing Sutter's Fort, the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and the quicksilver mines at New Almaden. Pyramid Lake and the Humboldt River occupy the Nevada section which shows Fremont's trail. Tahoe is not shown. Most of Nevada is blank. The New Mexico and Colorado areas are similar. Wheat listed this map in his "Maps of the California Gold Region, 1942, No. 111, p.59." Wheat cited only one example of this Guide as being in the Unger collection. The condition of the map is outstanding. The cover has a St. Louis Steamer all in gilt on handsome red leather and an early train with the title "Phelp's Travelers Guide through the United States." Custom made slip cover. $2100

355. California. Mining. Report of the Secretary of War, 1850, by Tyson, Gold Rush Era Scientific Report of California, giving information in relation to the geology and topography of California, 1850. Executive Doc. No. 47. Contains detailed discussions of gold formation and of the discovery of crystalline gold in quartz veins verified by Col. Fremont in hand specimen form to the author. This is the first official scientific report of the California Gold Rush. It was later (1851) published by Tyson privately. This 1850 edition is the rarest of the two published reports. Has chapters on the geology of part of the Sierra Nevada and the coastal ranges, geological structure of the Sacramento Valley, geological changes in California, metal bearing and gold regions, mercury mines, mineral resources in general, vegetable products, indigenous animals, climate, agriculture and public lands. Includes geological sections from Bodega Bay to the Sierra Nevada, the gold regions of the Sierra Nevada, Yuba to Coloma, Cosumnes to Calaveras, Bodega Point and more. Also contains a geological reconnaissance map in California. All in all has 10 fold outs. Handsomely rebound in marbled boards with brown cloth spine. Hardbound, 164 pages, 6" x 9 1/4", some fading, minor folds and foxing, VF. $850

356. California. Humboldt. Mattole. Fonner Farm Oil Co. Cert #89. Incorporated in 1865. Issued to A. Heesen for 5 shares in 1866. Signed by F. Stansberry president and A. Heesen secretary. Vignette of a building with an oil derrick, rail line and train and stacks of oil barrels. Black border. Uncancelled. Printer - Lith Geo H. Baker, SF. 5 x 9". "Area 160 Acres, Humboldt County, Cal" printed below title. Datelined Mattole. This is an interesting dateline since Gudde (1949, p.208) states that this is a submarine canyon located in Humboldt County. Perhaps, at one time there was a small settlement, but it did not last long enough to make any maps. A very early Northern California oil stock and company. Extremely Rare. Extremely fine. $600

357. California. Imperial. Imperial Valley & County Promotional Pamphlets, 1920-60. Lot of 6 different pcs. A) Imperial Valley Excursion. Used an Auto stage coach. 12 panel folding brochure in red, black, white. Circa 1920. B) and C) Two similar pamphlets on Imperial County. 1934. 12 panel folding, blue and black on white, color cover. D) Gems and Minerals, c 1955. Six panel with map E) and F) Circa 1955-1960 pamphlets on the Imperial Valley, one pamphlet style, other folding 12 panel. All fine or better. $75

California. Inyo. Carson & Colorado Railroad Key, please see Nevada. Ormsby. Carson City

358. California. Inyo. Coso. Coso Mineral Hot Springs Inc, Ltd. Cert #14. Incorporated in Nevada, 1931. Unissued, unsigned. No vignette. Attractive masthead. Green border. No corporate seal. Printer - Goes. 8.5 x 11". The company was based out of Reno, Nevada, as printed on the certificate. Extremely fine. No folds. $25

359. California. Inyo. Death Valley. Death Valley & Ryan Real Photo Postcards, c.1920-40. Lot of 14 different cards. Eight different views of the Borax mine and the Baby Gage RR, all by Frashers; four different views of Ryan and the Death Valley View Hotel; and two miscellaneous views, one featuring wagon wheels at Stove Pipe Wells, the other of a mule train and train drivers. Eight are by Frashers Fotos, four are by Willard, and the remaining two are unmarked. All have white borders, 3" x 5". Very fine. $175

360. California. Inyo. Death Valley. Death Valley Landscape Real Photo Postcards, c.1920. Lot of 8 different cards showing different views of Dante's View, Volcanic Drive, Zabriskie Point, and Golden Canyon. 5 by Frashers, circa 1930's and 3 by Willard, all with white borders. One used, postmarked Venice, CA, 1935. $50

361. California. Inyo. Death Valley. Furnace Creek Camp Real Photo Postcards, c.1940. Lot of 4 cards, 3 are duplicates. Two different views of the entry to Furnace Creek Camp. All Frashers, all with white borders. $50

362. California. Inyo. Death Valley. Furnace Creek Real Photo Postcards, c.1940. Lot of 6, two duplicated. Shows different views of Furnace Creek Inn, Borax wagons and swimming pool at the Inn. One by Willard, the remainder Frashers, all with white borders. $60

363. California. Inyo. Death Valley. Scotty's Castle Interior Real Postcards, c.1930. Lot of 19 different cards. 17 real photo postcards showing different views of the interior of Scotty's Castle; all with white borders, all Frashers photos. $130

364. California. Inyo. Ryan. Ryan Mining Scenes Real Photo Postcards, c.1920-40. Lot of 4 different postcards of Death Valley National Monument, Borax Mines, and tours of the mine on the Baby Gauge Railway. All have white borders. One postmarked 1952. All 3"x 5", all Xf. $655

365. California. Inyo. Tecopa. Tecopa Cons Mining Co. Cert #1608. Incorporated in South Dakota. Issued to Charles & Krautez for 500 shares in 1910. Signed by Fred Graves president and Sloan secretary. Vignette of "Chief Tecopa" at top center. Attractive brown border. Printer - Union Litho, LA. 9 x 12" Uncancelled. Datelined Rhyolite, Nevada. This was the largest silver-lead producer in California from 1917-1920. The Rhyolite dateline is the rarer form of this certificate. Very fine. $175

366. California. Inyo/Mono. Inyo and Mono County Commemorative Silver Souvenir Medal, 1961. Easter Sierra California Souvenir Coin/ (pic-covered wagon crossing through mountains) Mt Whitney/ Death Valley/ Settled/ Inyo * 1861 * County// Easter Sierra California Centennial/ Mono County Courthouse (and pic)/ Ghost Town Bodie (and pic)/ Mono 1861 County. Rd, Silver, Brilliant Unc. It is believed that only 600 were struck, this one #505. Coins were sponsored by the now defunct Southeastern Sierra Coin Club and distributed by the Centennial Coin Committee. In original packet. Kept in original booklet and packaging. 40mm. $10

367. California. Kern. Inyokern. Inyokern Milk Bottle. One Quart/ John McNeal/ Inyokern/ Dairy Farm. 9 1/2" tall, "92" and 92 in circle on bottom. Clear, Min, extremely rare. $150-300

368. California. Los Angeles. Downey. Hull's Pharmacy Embossed Medicine Bottle. Hull's Pharmacy / Prescriptions Our Specialty / Downey. Some iridescent inside stain. No chips. 3" wide x 6.25" tall. Approx 8 ozs. Rare town. $65

369. California. Los Angeles. Hollywood. Hollywood Doll Manufacturing. Cert #30. Incorporated in Nevada. Unissued, unsigned. Vignette of spread winged eagle. Green border. 6 x 10". Printer not noted. Extremely fine. $25

370. California. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. Horne & Abel Medicine Bottle, c.1875-80. Horne & Abel / Los Angeles. Some staining. Approx 4 oz. 5.5" tall. Near mint. Rare. $30

371. California. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. Vistas de Los Angeles, c,1902. This 4 x 6" folded pamphlet unfolds into 9 panels 36" by 6". The fold out has several "vistas" of Los Angeles in various sizes. The largest is 20' long and shows a panorama of downtown LA. Other views include ostriches, palm trees, and other buildings and street scenes. All of the images are annotated. The large panorama is dated 1901. Original cover. Fold out images are not attached to cover. Extremely fine. $120

372. California. Los Angeles. Norwalk. Geo L. Smith Medicine Bottle. Geo L. Smith / Prescription Druggist / Norwalk, Cal. 3iv bottle, approx 4 oz. Blue Ribbon graduated oval. Clear. Some inside stain. No chips. Rare. $50

373. California. Los Angeles. Venice. Venice Beach Scene Real Photo Postcard, c.1920. Image of men, women and children in the water and sun bathing. Unused, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2". Extremely fine. $25

374. California. Madera. Minarets. Minarets Mining Co. Cert.#74. Incorporated in California in 1916. Issued to Leonard Harris for 500 share sin 1917. Signed by President F. J. Eddy and Secretary A. Whitson. Cancelled by rubber stamp through Presidents signature. Vignette of man atop prominent outcrop among conifer trees. Black border with gold underprint and seal. 8-1/2 x10-1/2 No printer noted. The property consisted of 485 acres and was developed by a main working tunnel. The ore consisted of veins of silver, lead and zinc minerals. In 1930 the company was dormant but reportedly applying for a patent on its property. (ref. Weed, 1925; Rand & Sturgis, 1931). The name was given to the area by the famous California geologist J. D. Whitney in the early 1860's while studying Yosemite. Portion of torn receipt adhering to left edge, tears at folds, minor yellowing at edges. Very fine. $25

375. California. Mariposa. Mariposa. Philadelphia & California Mining Co. Cert. #2242. Issued to T. W. Neill for 400 shares in 1859. Signed by Pearson Serville president and Bettle Paul secretary. Vignette of miners working an outcrop with a log cabin, a bear and a horseman in background. Small vignette at bottom center of a dog guarding a key laying next to a safe. Ornate black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - E. Grattan, Printer, Third & Walnut Sts. 7.5 x 9.5. Signed on reverse by T. W. Neill and witnessed by C. E. Buck. None of the people on this certificate are listed in Bancroft or DAB. They are all probably men of Philadelphia where this issued was sold by J. C. Fremont's attorneys. It is Fremont's first public company based in America that had procured a lease on part of the Mariposa Estate. Minor foxing at edges. Extremely fine. $400

376. California. Medal. NSGW 1975 Centennial Medal. Lot of 2 similar pcs. Both have the same obverse and reverse. Round, brass, star border / picture of crossed US and California flags, bear beneath, and capitol building behind / NATIVE SONS / OF THE / GOLDEN WEST // (star) FRIENDSHIP (star) LOYALTY (star) CHARITY / 1875 / CENTENNIAL / 1975 / 100 YEARS. 38 mm. BU & Unc. $20

377. California. Mining. Diltz Mining Co. Cert #96. Incorporated in Nevada, 1928. Unissued, unsigned. Vignette of a mill with flat bed train cars loaded down with ore sacks. Brown border and seal. 6 x 10. Printer not noted. The Diltz mine is famous for the wonderful gold specimens that came from there. Mint condition, no folds. $25

378. California. Mining. Golden Shower Mining Co. Cert #101. Incorporated in Arizona. Issued to H. S. Beaver for 325 share in 1907. Signed by J. E. Knopps president Uriah Thomas asst secretary. Vignette of miners working underground, smaller vignettes at left and right within border. Brown border, seal and safety print. Uncancelled. Printer - Goes, distributed by F. B. Kitts Press, Los Angeles. "Los Angeles" is within the embossed corporate seal. 8 x 11". We have not been able to locate this company within our records. The fact that Los Angeles is the corporate seal suggests that the operations were in California. Very fine. $50

379. California. Mining. Report of the State Mineralogist by William Irelan, Jr., 1892. 610 pages. The report offers a county by county description of the mining activities over a two year period. There are several black and white sketches of placer mining, presumably sketched from photos. Indexed. Excellent reference. Front and rear cover missing. Chips and wear along edges. Fine. $175 (no illustration)

380. California. Mining. Report of the State Mineralogist, 1890. Wm Irelan edited this 10th Annual Report of the State Mineralogist. The report describes each county in detail with maps, geologic cross sections, stratigraphic columns and tables of pertinent information. Mines are discussed and production offered. 982 pages, indexed. Original hard bound cover with gilt lettering on binding. Wear to inside binding resulting in care required for thumbing through the pages. Very fine. $200 (no illustration)

381. California. Mono. Bennettville. Tioga Mining District Advertising Cover with Lundy, Cal Postmark, 1887. At upper left is a circular purple stamp with "Bennettville, Mono County, Cal, Tioga Mining District" with manuscript "W. P. Onksl". At upper right top is a bold black strike cancel of "Lundy, Cal, 1887". Adhesive, brown 2 cent stamp. Addressed to "The Bennetts, New Bedford, Mass", probably Bennett family related to Bennettville, Cal. Reverse has bold strike cancel from New Bedford, Mass indicating that it took nearly 1 month for the letter to cross the country. Clean edges. Lundy was named for William O. Lundy who set up a timber operation in 1880 (Gudde, 1949, p.197). Fabulous piece. Extremely fine. $150

382. California. Mono. Bodie. Account of the Important Revival of Mining Districts in Bodie and Esmeralda Districts, 1878, Reprint, 1963. The original work was published in 1878 by Jos. Wasson, San Francisco. The paragraph on the front cover sums up the book's contents: "An account of the revival of affairs in two singularly interesting and important mining districts, including something of their past history and the gist of the reports of progs Benh. Silliman and Wm P. Blake, the late J. Ross Browne, and state mineralogists, R. H. Stretch and H. R. Whitehill. Also, detailed description of mines most developed, tunnels, mills, etc. Also, general resources of Mono and Esmeralda Counties with maps and illustrations." 60 pps. The soft bound booklet has a cover slip. Reprinted by Wendell Hammon and Theron Fox in 1963. Extremely fine. $55

383. California. Mono. Bodie. Dudley Mining Co. Cert #2346. Incorporated Sept. 6, 1878. Issued to W. A. King, Jr. for 100 shares on Nov. 10, 1886. Signed by president A. J. Ralston and secretary J. Studtfelt, Jr. No vignette. Attractive masthead at middle. Black border. Uncancelled. Printer - Lith Britton & Rey, SF. "Bodie Ming Dist, Mono Co, Cal" printed below company title. We didn't have time to conduct our usual thorough research on this piece and we've never carried this particular certificate before. Uncancelled. White paper with black underprint and artwork, 8 3/4" x 4". Very fine. $225

384. California. Mono. Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Lakes Area Postcards, c.1920. Lot of 20 different cards. An assortment of b/w, modern color and chromolitho cards. There are 10 b/w cards, mostly taken by Willard, showing the more well known sites such as: Twin Falls, Twin Lakes, Shadow Lake, Devil's Postpile and others. 3 chromolithograph cards and 7 modern color cards. All extremely fine. $150

385. California. Monterey. Benito. Benito Mining District Mill Site Claim Announcement, 1873. This appears to be a duplicate copy of an announcement for the acquisition of a mill site within the Benito Mining District by Roscoe G. Norton in 1873. The announcement is a one page manuscript legal document with two accompanying pages showing a general map of the property discussed. The Benito district is best known for the discovery of a barite based mineral that resembles sapphire named in honor of the district - Benitoite. Extremely fine. $165

386. California. Napa. Napa. Knox Granatelli Crown Top Soda Aqua, c.1905. Knox Granatelli / Napa, Cal set in rectangular slug plate. Clean. 7" tall. Near mint. Some scratches on back. $25

387. California. Nevada. Desolation Valley. Desolation Valley Real Photo Postcard. White bordered real photo postcard of wintry view of Aloha Lake in what is now the Desolation Wilderness, just west of Lake Tahoe. Photographer/publisher not noted. $30

388. California. Nevada. Grass Valley. Grand Gift Concert Lottery Ticket, 1871. This lottery ticket, #91830, was for the Grand Gift Concert by the Grass Valley Benevolent Association at Hamilton Hall, Grass Valley, January 2, 1871. There was an expected 100,000 tickets to be sold with the grand prize of $20,000 and a total cash disbursement of $150,000 over 1578 prizes. The ticket cost $2.50. An attractive brown design background. Water damage affects the reverse. The front has a light staining along edges. Very fine. $250

389. California. Nevada. Grass Valley. North Star Gold Mining Co. Cert #655. Incorporated in 1867. Unissued, unsigned. Vignette of a star shining through a cloudy sky. Black border. Printer - Lith Britton & Rey, SF. 5 x 10". The North Star and Empire mines are the most famous of all the Grass Valley and Nevada County mines. Extremely rare. Extremely fine. $300

390. California. Nevada. Grass Valley. Physician's Visiting Record Books of Dr. E. Jamieson, 1894-1909. 15 pocket sized notebooks provided by various vendors. Each contains names of patients, dates of visits, conditions under treatment and additional notations. $300

391. California. Nevada. Independence Lake. Independence Lake Real Photo Postcards. Lot of 2 different cards. 2 b/w scenes of Independence Lake. Neither card indicates photographers, but apparently they were from two different photographers. Extremely fine. $50

392. California. Nevada. Meadow Lake. Cisco Cons Gold Mining Co. Cert. #C335. Issued to Francis C. Harmstad for 100 shares in 1880. Signed by Wm. M. Reynolds president and Oliver Chavlick secretary. Vignette of the California State Seal flanked by a mining scene and train scene. Black border. Uncancelled. Printer - ABN. 7 x 11". Prospecting at Meadow Lake began with the advent of the California Gold Rush, and intensified with the discovery of the Comstock. In 1865, the Excelsior Co announced a rich discover and dubbed the new district with their name. Since Meadow Lake is near Truckee, and the Comstock Lode, miners madly rushed to the area to find their fortunes. Over the next year, enumerable towns seemed to spring up out of the ground, including Hudsonville, Excellsior, Atlanta and Summit City. Furious trading of stock took place over the next year, as bullion was produced and reported in the newspapers. The years spanning 1867-1874 saw a realization that the mines were not as bountiful as anticipated. People fled as quickly as they had arrived. At the time this certificate was issued, several small mills were still processing ore, and in 1881, the Cisco announced plans to open another mill to be staffed by six men. The local papers continued to tout the region. One of the notables who went to Meadow Lake in 1865-66 was Orion Clemens, the secretary of the Nevada Territory and brother of author Sam Clemens. He lost everything he owned and retreated a beaten man. (Fatout, 1969). Extremely fine. $2507

393. California. Nevada. Meadow Lake. Girard Mining Co, c.1902. 8pp folding single sheet prospectus. Arizona incorporation, Sacramento promotion. They built an 8 stamp mill in 1901, claiming to crush 8 tons per day of $40-$50 rock (though the assays on the back page are far less). They must have been short of ore, because they were offering to do custom milling. Black on yellow. This is a classic mining promotion, potentially worthless, with the prospectus not written by mining men. Meadow Lake was at the height of activity well before 1900, and there was a flurry of activity parallel to the Tonopah-Goldfield rush of 1900-1908. Not listed in Meadow Lake Gold Town by Fatout. $75

394. California. Nevada. Nevada City. Vigilance Gold Mining Co. Cert #11. Incorporated in California 1867. Issued to Wm E. Ingersoll for 100 shares in 1868. Signed by president, name illegible and A. P. Gatlin, secretary. Black border, vignette at left of seated woman, 25 cent tax stamp affixed to vignette, small vignette of dog at bottom margin. Printer Crocker's, uncancelled 4 x 9. Neither the mine nor the principals are listed by Bean, 1867, Crocker, 1871, or MacBoyle, 1919. Probably all of the principals are from Sacramento, as indicated by the printer. The Company is also unlisted in Browne, 1868, or Raymond, 1870. Extremely Rare. Extremely fine. Slight folds. $500

395. California. Nevada. Tahoe Area. Marlette & Folsom Manuscript Letters, 1887, & Wells Fargo Receipt, 1875. Lot of 3 different pcs. Marlette & Folsom, of Incline, Nevada dated 1887, wrote letters to the cashier of the Bullion & Exchange Bank in Carson City. A Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express receipt is also included from Truckee, signed by D. H. Gray, 1875. Extremely rare. Xf. $60

396. California. Nevada. Tahoe. Lake Tahoe Railway & Transportation Co. Pass No. 209, 1906. Issued to F. W. Thompson, wife & son, C.R.I. & P.R. R. "Good until December 31, 1906 unless otherwise noted". Signed on front by president D. L. Bliss. Signed on reverse by "F. W. Thompson wife & son". In 1906, the company had 16 miles of track that ran from Truckee to Tahoe which opened in 1900. There were only 2 locomotives, 3 passengers cars and 4 freight cars. The company also operated 4 steamers on Lake Tahoe (Poor's Manual of Railroads, 1906, p649). VF. 4" x 1/12". $275

397. California. Nevada. Tahoe. Wert Tong / (pic - five stars) / Tahoe Inn // GF / 10 / IT. Rd, br, 24mm. Strike worn by usage. Vf. $375

398. California. Nevada. Truckee. Wells, Fargo & Co Advertising Cover, 1874. Moderate strike "Truckee" cancel. Imprinted green 3 cent stamp. Opened at left. No letter. Mailed to G. L. Kingsley & Co, Red Bluff, Cal. Very fine. Est. $200

399. California. Orange. Newport Beach. Geo. C. Hiner Trade Token. Good For/ One Bait/ (pic fish)/ Geo. C. Hiner/ Newport Beach, California//GF 5c/IT. Paper, 33x51mm. VF. Black print on lavender Rare, listed in Kappan as 4 known, but this is a different color. K20.c1940. $75

400. California. Orange. Santa Ana. Grumbach & Schumacher Embossed Hutchinson Soda, c.1900-1905. Grumbach & Schumacher / Santa Ana / Cal. Minor inside stain (never cleaned), but generally very clean. No chips. Possible broken air bubble near surface on right side. 7" tall. Original stopper. Rare. $100

401. California. Placer. Auburn & Rock Creek Gold Mining Co. Cert.#49. Incorporated in New York. Issued to John Permingham for 100 shares in 1880. Signed by president P.W. Bowen and secretary Charles L. Burmham. Uncancelled. Black border on crème paper. 6 1/4" x 10 1/2". Xf, tips of corners folded. California mill was constructed in 1880, probably with funds from this offering. In late 1880 they reported a "chute of exceedingly rich ore." (Burchard 1881). By 1881 the mine had become idle, reported that J. W. Foulkes & Co. owned it, thus the A&RC GMC probably lost their lease, and the investors their money. (Burchard 1882). $150

402. California. Placer. Auburn. Auburn & Rock Creek Gold Mining Co. Cert. #52. Incorporated in New York 1880. Issued to John Burnham for 100 shares in 1880. Signed by P. N. Bowen president and Charles L. Burnham secretary. No vignette. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - N. Y. Lith & Engr Co. 6 x 10. Placer County, California printed on certificate. Datelined New York. There was an Auburn and Rock Creek mine located near Auburn that was a quartz lode vein. A mill was built to process gold in quartz ore after this underwriting took place. They reported a chute of rich ore, but it must have been small, because they were idle within a year. In 1882 the mine was sold to J. W. Foulkes & Co and remained idle. Burchard never identified the district. None of the people on this certificate are listed in the Placer County History or in SF Directories. (Burchard, 1881, 1882). Extremely fine. $170

403. California. Plumas. La Porte. Wells, Fargo & Co Advertising Cover, c.1864. Bold "La Porte" cancel in blue. Imprinted red 3 cent stamp. Opened at left. No letter. Very fine. $175

404. California. Plumas. Round Valley. Plumas Mining Co, 1902. Prospectus with 2 different informational flyers. Prospectus is 4pp, 8 x 11", non-illustrated. Folds, some wear. The info flyers are completely different with folds and wear. 9.5 x 16". The flyers give many names to this mine, including Pacific, West Pacific, Drury and Pacific, McGill and Standard. Located 2 miles west of Greenville. Apparently the former is the entire succession of owners up to the time of the prospectus in 1902. This shows how tough it is to look up info on a mine when the name of the controlling company changes constantly. The flyers give the hope of some success but the entire package lacks cohesive data. The property is not on the Mother Lode as described. This is a classic case of eastern promoters getting a property after it has been extensively worked by western miners. $100

405. California. Sacramento. Folsom. Grand Gift Concert Lottery Ticket, 1871. This lottery ticket, #11115, was for a Grand Gift Concert to be held at the Fireman's Hall in Folsom, Cal., July 4th, 1871. The ticket it indicates that there were to be 667 gifts and 30,000 tickets to be sold. The cost of the ticket was $2.50. At the left there is a chart of the prize amounts. Grand prize was $10,000 and there were 500 prizes of $20. At the right is another table that shows that the total cash disbursement was to be $45,000. Vignette of a variation of the California State Seal. Attractive green background design ticket. 3.5 x 6. Minor water damage on reverse that barely affects the front. Very fine. $250

406. California. Sacramento. Folsom. Natomas Co Annual Report, 1953. Incorporated in California in 1914. The company operated gold dredges and between 1914 and 1935 produced about $38 million. The company also had operations in Nevada and South America operating well into the 1950's. Annual capacity was as much as 30 million yards per year. (Mines Handbook, Mines Register and Company Annual Report) Off-white cover with black print, 9 pages, 8 1/4" x 10 3/4", minor fading with one big fold on back, VF. $25

407. California. Sacramento. New Helvetia. New Helvetia Diary, 1939. "A record of events kept by John A. Sutter and his clerks at New Helvetia, California from September 9, 1845 to May 25, 1848." This more modern reprint was published in arrangement with the Society of California Pioneers in 1939. Includes introduction by the Society of Pioneers which gives some history on Sutter himself and the people who surrounded him: "I had a man in my employ named James Wilson Marshall, a good mechanic who had made me looms, ploughs, spinning-wheels and all such kindred material. In discussing a saw-mill with him, he said he thought he could build it. I was dubious about trusting him out of my sight with all his craziness, but the tools which one finds on a raw frontier are never stable enough to a builder's liking. I had no one else, so I must needs gamble on the man." Sutter's worries were for naught because "Marshall did build the saw-mill at Coloma...and in so doing found gold on January 24, 1848 thus precipitating the 'rush' to California in 1849." A fascinating read. Hardbound, 8" x 12 1/4", extremely clean deckled edges, gorgeous! XF. $400

408. California. Sacramento. Sacramento Pioneer & Library Assoc Grand Concert Lottery Ticket, 1871. The lottery ticket reads "Grand Concert by the Sacramento Pioneer and Library Associations at the Metropolitan Theatre, Sacramento, Cal, May 1st, 1871. Ticket #14696. At left is a vignette of the Sacramento Library Assoc Seal and at right of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers Seal. The tickets cost $2.50. The background of the ticket has a green design with "$75,000" in dark green underprint. "This ticket entitles the holder to Admission, and whatever Gift may be awarded to the number." 3.5 x 6. Water damage affects the reverse with minor spotting showing through to the front. Very fine. $250

409. California. Sacramento. Sacramento. $500 Bond of the State of California, 1858. Bears the signature of the first governor of California, Peter Burnett, on reverse. Burnett, a native of Tennessee, initially moved west and settled in Oregon where he helped set up the territorial government. When the Gold Rush hit, Burnett was quoted as saying that "2/3 of the Oregon population that could bear arms went to California", including him. He was elected Governor of California in 1849 and resigned in 1851 because California was going to be admitted to the Union as a "free" state rather than a slave state. He served on the California Supreme Court until his retirement. There are 33 $17.50 coupons attached, 17" x 18 3/4" at longest portion. White paper with black and red underprint and vignettes. Embossed seal. Eight vignettes in all. The largest depicts two allegorical female figures one with a spear, helmet and body armor and one with a sheaf of wheat. There is also a prospector, a bear, an Indian, an eagle, lakes, valleys and steamships on the ocean. The other 7 vignettes depict variously: Poseidon with his trident, cows, a woman who appears to be posing for a portrait, a steamship on the open sea, George Washington, a blacksmith and a prospector and a sailor in deep conversation. $850

410. California. Sacramento. Sacramento. Central Pacific Railroad Advertising Cover, c.1880. Moderate strike "Sacramento, Cal" cancel. Central Pacific advertisement at upper left. Adhesive green 3 cent stamp. Mailed to H. M. Yerington, Supt V & T RR, Carson City, Nev. Opened along top edge. No letter. Very fine. Est. $100

411. California. Sacramento. Sacramento. Owen Casey Cobalt Blob Top Soda, c.1875-85. Owen Casey / Eagle Soda / Works. "Sac City" on back. A wonderful dark cobalt soda. Potstone surfaced just left of "Eagle", otherwise clean and mint. 7.25" tall. A Beauty. $180

412. California. Sacramento. Sacramento. Spread Eagle Copper Mining Co. Cert. #58. Incorporated in 1863. Issued to Richard Leland for 10 shares in 1863. Signed by F. A. Park president and W. E. Chambers secretary. Vignette of a spread winged eagle with shield. Vignette at left edge of woman holding the American Flag. Black border and print. Uncanceled. Printer - H. S. Crocker & Co's Print, Sacramento. 5 x 10. 25 cent adhesive revenue stamp affixed at left. Chip near upper left corner and upper right corner. "Saginaw District, Sacramento" printed at top. Datelined Sacramento. Very fine. $550

413. California. San Bernardino. Escondido & Barstow Promotional Pamphlets, c.1960. Lot of 4 different pcs. Beacon Tavern, Barstow c 1935; Wonder Palms Hotel, Four Seasons, La Quinta Hotel. $50

414. California. San Bernardino. Medals. San Bernardino County Coin Club/ (pic-Arrowhead)/ Founded 1948/ Incorporated 1971// Lady Liberty Centennial/ (pic-Statue of Liberty)/ F.A. Barthold, Sculptor/ San Bernardino County Coin Club/ 22nd Annual Coin Show/ January5, 1986/ San Bernardino, California/ 1886/ I Lift My Lamp Beside the Golden Door By E. Lazarus/ 1986. Rd, br (gilt), 39mm. BU. $10

415. California. San Bernardino. Palm Springs Area Promotional Pamphlets, 1930-60. Lot of 7 different pamphlets all circa 1930-1960. generally vf. $50

416. California. San Bernardino. Redlands. Redlands Bottling Works Crown Top Aqua Soda, c.1905. Redlands Bottling / Works/ J. T. Allen, Prop. Mint clean, no wear. "A" embossed on bottom. 8" tall. Scarce. $35

417. California. San Bernardino. Salton Sea, Banning, Indio & El Centro Promotional Pamphlets, c.1940-50. Lot of 21 different pcs. A) Banning, c 1940 B) Salton Sea-2; Desert Beach Story, Salton City, c 1940-50. C) El Centro-4. 2- Lettuce Festival c 1950ish, Barbara Worth Hotel-2 different c 1920-35. D) Indio-12. Westward Ho Gold Club c 1960. Coachella Valley Date Grower's Assn c 1916, 16pp plus color cover (2 copies). Sun Gold Date Gardens (2 copies) c 1950. Indio Hub of California Desert Playground c 1950. Three different Date Festival pieces circa 1970's. 3 copies Views of Sniff Gardens, Indio. C 1950. $200

418. California. San Bernardino. San Bernardino. Owl Drug Store Medicine Bottle. The Owl Drug Store / Prescription Druggist / San Bernardino, Cal. 3iv bottle, approx 4 oz. Blue Ribbon graduated oval. Some iridescence, no chips. Rare. $75

419. California. San Diego. Palomar Mountains. Palomar Mountains Photocards, c.1940. Lot of 4 different cards. All are Frasher's b/w photocards of the Palomar Mountains in San Diego County. F7938 (2 of the same card), F7937 & F8055. All are captioned Highway to the Stars showing different shots of the mountains. Very fine. $40

420. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. Business Diary Pocket Notebook, 1848. The front cover has "Register, 1848" in gold gilt lettering. 100pp with cloth binding. Title page has "Leroux English Almanack (sic) for 1848 or Daily Register for the use of private families and persons of business..." printed in English and Spanish. Originally contained an 1847 map of the "Valley of Mexico", now missing. Contains pencil entries from April 21, 1848 to about July, 1848. Only 32 pages used of the 100. The book was used as an accounting and appointment book for a supplier engaged in lumber related trade with the shipping industry in the San Francisco-Sutterville area. Text mentions dealings with numerous individuals who were pioneers in the early development of California, including: Robert King, one of at least 36 "foreigners" that came to Monterey in 1834 who were arrested in 1840 as companions of Isaac Graham: Graham was believed to be the lead conspirator in a perceived plan to overthrow Governor Alvarado. Another merchant in the Register is William Blackburn. A Virginia cabinetmaker who immigrated overland in the Swasey-Todd party and became a lumberman in Santa Cruz. He also served in the Fauntleroy's Dragoons, the California Battalion and served as accolade by the Governor's appointment (Bancroft's Works, II, p721). Thomas Kittleman, son of John, married Angeline Lovett in San Francisco, 1847, and became constable in that same year (B.W., IV, p701). Charles Bennett of Sutter's Fort (Sacramento) is listed. Bennett was at Coloma Mill when gold was discovered in 1848 and was reported to have leaked the news of the discovery (B.W., VI, p.43-44). Wright & Owen who were liquor merchants in San Francisco. Wright may have been Stephen A. Wright who was also of Wright & Dickerson, lumber dealers. Ross is mentioned in the Register, probably Charles L. Ross, a prominent San Francisco merchant and landowner. Egleson, who was probably George Eggleston, who had a market in San Francisco in 1848 (B.W., II, p789). Purchases at Davises are listed which probably referred to William Heath Davis, Jr., a prominent merchant at that time. Ross and Benson, which probably referred to Ross and Benton, a firm business located in San Francisco, 1848. Woodworth and Morris are mentioned. Woodworth was Lieutenant Selim Woodworth, commander of the 2nd Donner Relief Party (B.W., V, p539). The owner of the Register had dealings in Sutterville as indicated by the notations "Landed in Sutterville (sic)" and "See to renting house at Sutterville." 4 x 6". Wear to edges. Very fine. Extremely Rare Gold Rush. $2000

421. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. California Exposition Medal, HK 258. California Midwinter International Exposition/ Administration Building (picture)/ 1894// Malleable/ Ductile/ Tasteless/ Sonorous/ Untarnishable/ Strong/ ALUMINUM/ Cubic Foot of Gold 1204 LBS./ Aluminum 179... "This" is the Lightest/ Metal the World/ Has Produced/ Noble Chicago. Rd, al, 43mm, AU. $50

422. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. California Miners' Association Annual, 1900. Proceedings of the ninth annual convention of the California Miners' Association in San Francisco. Hardbound, 6 " x 9", 255 pages not including index and advertisements. Contains photos of people and places. Limited index. Cover is slightly sprung and has liquid spots, a couple of pages have small tears- interior is otherwise in excellent shape. Overall VF. $130

423. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. California Street Cable Railroad Co Check, 1890. Vignette of a cable car at top center. Black print on orange tinted paper. Check issued and cashed in 1890. Signed by James B. Stetson president and Albert Stetson treasurer. These are sons of Stetson of the hat fame. We have 2 checks. $35/each

424. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. European & American Steam Shipping Company, Ltd. Incorporated in 1857. Cert #9212 issued to John Lewis Mallet of Hampshead, Esquire, for the amount of nine pounds in 1857. Signed by Chas. Teryiharson(?) and J. Cline, directors and general superintendent, signature illegible. Black print on white paper with company watermark. Printer - Batho & Co., Sherborbe Lane, London. Uncancelled, 8 1/2 x 9 1/2. This company was a steamship company to take people to the California Gold Rush area. In 1850, 93 ships left Britain for Only ten ships left France. Adolph Sutro would have taken a ship like this from Prussia to Britain to New York, where they would connect with an American ship to Panama or There was also a European and American agency in London that was set up to work mines in America, and this may have been a related company. (J. Delgado, To California by Sea, 1990; C, Spence, British Investments & the American Mining Frontier, 1995). Extremely fine with minor wrinkles. $300

425. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. Geary Street Park & Ocean Railroad Co Bond. $1000 Bond, 1915. Signed by president Charles F. Crocker, the son of the Central Pacific magnate, Crocker. Charles F. was also the first vice president of the Southern Pacific System. White paper with brown underprint and border. Bond title and vignette in black. Vignette is of an open passenger rail car with three men in front of it, two standing and one sitting on a rock. Allegorical female figures adorn left and right sides of central portion of vignette. 10" x 14 3/4", staples along top edge, one minor fold and some fading VF. $600

426. California. San Francisco. San Francisco. Gift Concert Lottery Ticket, c. 1870. "Mercantile Library Association, Gift Concert" There are five attached tickets which all have the same number, 67974. Each ticket was worth one fifth of the prize awarded that number. To ensure that you would receive all the prize money, you have to buy all five of the tickets. There are three printed signatures at the bottom of each ticket. Tho. T. Hays secretary, R. B. Swain president and W. C. Ralston. William Chapman Ralston was the president of the Bank of California. Ralston was one of many that was duped by the diamond hoax and invested heavily in the formation of company to mine a non existent diamond field. The diamond hoax was foiled by Wheeler on his survey in Nevada, 1874. The outcome was the near collapse of the Bank of California and Ralston committing suicide in 1875. Printed by Bancroft, SF. The edges are cut slightly uneven. The top ticket has a small piece of paper stuck on the front side near the edge. The reverse has several blue rubber stamps that are nearly illegible. Very fine. $300