Auction Information

Lot: 4000 - LIVERMORE RODEO PROGRAM AND LEE JEANS CLOTH SWATCH [160731]

Livermore Rodeo and Stock Show, Sunday, June 9, year unknown, maybe 1940. Has a stapled blue denim Lee Cowboy Pants swatch, 5.5x2". Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Livermore Provenance:

Lot: 4001 - EXTREMELY RARE JP MASON POMMEL SADDLE BAGS W/ HOLSTER, SACRAMENTO [163809]

Extremely rare leather pommel saddlebags marked "J.P. Mason / Maker / Sacramento" in four places. Measure 15 x 8.5" Holster holds a .36 caliber percussion, Colt Model 1862 police revolver with a 4.5 inch barrel. According to newspaper articles, John Petrie Mason opened his saddlery at 91 K Street near 4th in Sacramento in May 1867, as the successor to AT Nelson. In August 1867, he was badly injured after falling off a train platform. We find mention in 1882 that he and his wife have left Sacramento to live in San Francisco. It appears he died in late 1887. One pouch is separating. Wear to leather. Please see photos for detailed condition. Date: c.1867-1882 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sacramento Provenance:

Lot: 4002 - CALIFORNIA SADDLEWARE BUSINESS PAPERS [161491]

Three pieces of ephemera concerning the saddle business in 19th century California. Pictorial billhead from A. A. Van Voorhies & Co., Sacramento, 1905. Main & Winchester, Battery St. San Francisco, receipt dated Aug 19, 1882. Letter dated May 13th 1895 confirming 12 pair of spurs and swivel hooks. All to a Mr. Joseph Sullivan. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4003 - KONANTZ SADDLERY CO. CATALOG [161571]

376 page illustrated catalog published by The Konantz Saddlery Co. of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Binding torn, some page damage, but entertaining for horse lovers. Date: 1905 Country (if not USA): State: Minnesota City: St. Paul Provenance:

Lot: 4004 - MONTANA SADDLERY EPHEMERA, 6 [162162]

6 pieces of Montana Saddlery ephemera. 2 letterheads and unused pictorial envelope. 1893 Dillon city license for merchant. Joseph Bourret 1891 billhead. Victor Ario 1918 pictorial letterhead. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4005 - BUFFALO SPRING AND GEAR COMPANY CATALOGS [161572]

Two catalogs from The Buffalo Spring and Gear Company. The 38 page illustrated catalog is fragile with pages torn, and undated. The 1893 catalog is in better condition but has pages detached. Date: 1893 Country (if not USA): State: New York City: Buffalo Provenance:

Lot: 4006 - HAMLEY COWBOY CATALOG [163831]

Rare Hamley Cowboy Catalog, # 25, c. 1920's. 164pp with index. Water damage, please inspect. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Oregon City: Provenance:

Lot: 4007 - HAMLEY'S COWBOY CATALOG [163308]

Rare 1925-26 Hamley's Cowboy Catalog, 128pp with photos of hats, spurs, chaps etc. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Oregon City: Provenance:

Lot: 4008 - COWBOY AND RODEO PHOTOS AND POSTCARDS [162179]

5 cowboy photos-Gene Autrey(photo of a photo), Reagan and 3 rodeo photos including Reno with left damage. 1 postcard and 4 postcard size cowboy photos-Bob Steele, Roy Corrigan, Charles Jones, Sunset Carson. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4009 - SADDLERY EPHEMERA COLLECTION [161575]

Large lot of billheads, statements, advertisements from saddlery, leather tanneries, horse related businesses. Companies from Portland, Oregon; San Francisco, California; Chicago; St. Louis; Helena. Over 50 pieces. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4010 - WILMA OLSEN COWBOY AND RODEO ARCHIVE [161517]

Nice group of about 9 photos of Western bands including Nevada Nightherders, Rosie Eapa, The Covered Wagon, Cecil Wright and more, some signed. c. 1920's Wilma Olsen autograph book, 4x6". About 25 small b/w vintage rodeo photos. Golden Gate Expo 1939 Rodeo program, Hayward Rodeo programs 1940 and vintage undated. Vintage cowboy and rodeo scrapbook 15x11". 2 handmade wood covers cowboy/rodeo scrap books. One is wood burned and colored 7x10", other has walnut wood 3D cowboy and horse on hinged front with W H O initials on lower right.4.5x11.5". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4011 - HORSE DRAWN WAGON CATALOGS [161560]

Two vintage wagon catalogs from 1882. 1) A. A. Cooper of Dubuque, Iowa. 2) The Bain Wagon Co's of Kenosha, Wisconsin, 66 pages. Both heavily illustrated. Date: 1882 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4012 - HORSE DRAWN WAGON EPHEMERA [161578]

Letter from Geo. A. Lowe, agent for Peter Schuttler's Chicago Wagons datelined Eagle Rock Idaho, July 3rd 1879 addressed to Henry Elling Virginia City Montana. Searls & Starr Co.'s 1895 catalog of Carriage Rails and Mountings. Points of Interest Wheels and Harness catalog from Standard Oil Company. Mitchell Farm Wagon advertisements: wagons made in Racine, Wisconsin and offered by the Helena agent S. C. Ashby. Ball & Ward stick, road or buck wagon ads from Newark, Ohio. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4013 - BARBED WIRE TENSIONING TOOLS, 2 [162270]

2 somewhat rusty barbed wire tensioning and crimping tools with articulating handles. 24" and 36" long. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4014 - PAIR OF MINI LEATHER ADVERTISING BOOTS, COLCHESTER CO. [162187]

Unusual mini black leather advertising boots from Colchester Co., possible a saddlery. 2.75x2". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4015 - BUTTONS AND BUCKLES FROM THE OLD WEST 1880'S [161244]

This Riker box contains both buttons and buckles from the 1880s. There are two Levi Strauss buttons, three Carhartt's buttons, one Hoffman Green Bay button, a Freeman, Pullman, two American eagle military buttons 1 1/8in. diam. and one 9/16 in. diam., a Block S.F., several mother of pearl buttons, ceramic buttons, one beautiful ceramic button with a fine blue lacey trim at 3/8 in. diam. two Shirley President buckles and more. Please see photo for details. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4016 - GREASE HORNS FOR COVERED WAGON AXLES [161238]

This is a pair of cow horns used to lubricate the axles of covered wagons. Originally filled with a light grease that was poured onto the wheel and axle load bearing surface. Two horns joined with a chain. Each horn about 12 in. to 14 in. C. 1850-1890s. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4017 - MILLER BROS. 101 RANCH PERFORMER'S BEADED GUN BELT [153633]

Beautiful leather beaded belt and two pistol holsters most likely worn by a Native American performer in a Miller Bro.'s Wild West show at the 101 Ranch, near Stillwater, Oklahoma (Marland Ranch). This belt is intricately beaded and has two gun holsters. The belt is about 39.5 inches long and was worn by a male performer. This piece is beautifully framed in a wooden frame with brads around the edges that spell out "Miller Bros. 101 Ranch." These brads are in the style of Indian gun markings. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Miller Bros. began their Wild West shows in 1905, and toured it around the US and the world. There shows included some famous performers such as Geronimo, Bill Pickett, Lucille Mulhall, and George Elser. In 1916, the Miller Bros. combined and toured with Buffalo Bill Cody. By the 1930s, the Wild West shows declined in popularity and the Miller Bros. fell into debt. Most of their ranch land was divided and sold by the Federal Farm Security Administration. In 1938, a project began to convert the residence building on the 101 Ranch into a museum. This was a National Youth Administration project, part of the New Deal. However, by 1942, the war effort became more important, and the museum project was canceled. This piece was probably meant to be part of that museum, but was sold off when the project was stopped. _x000D_ _x000D_ This belt has been wonderfully preserved in the original frame, and is in very good condition. Inside the frame is an original oval bras identification tag "101 Ranch/ Museum/ Marland, OK" The frame is also in very good condition, with only a few scratches around the edges. Overall size is 31 x 53.5 inches. This piece is one of the most personally prized of the Bracken collection. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Oklahoma City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4018 - FRAMED 101 RANCH REAL WILD WEST POSTER [152172]

Fantastic framed 101 Ranch Real Wild West poster. Miller Bros. & Arlington, 101 Ranch, Real Wild West. Cowboy DT Tatlinger with boomerangs, Native American women-Edith Tatlinger shooting behind her back, Wenona shooting from a rifle from a horse and hitting a thrown target. Good color and great subject matter! Frame 21x32.5" Date: Country (if not USA): State: Texas City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4019 - FRAMED 101 RANCH WILD WEST SHOW LITHOGRAPH [152173]

Two part lithograph. Miller Bros. 101 Ranch, Real Wild West and Great Far East, Boston, June 13. Cowboy riding a bronc. Frame 32x22". Some edge toning. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4020 - BUFFALO BILL CODY CDV BY THE THEATRICAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY [152250]

This CDV of Buffalo Bill Cody was made by the Theatrical Photography Co. The image depicts Buffalo Bill in his younger years. The framed CDV is 4 in.X 5 in. with a gold outline, the CDV is standard 2.5 in. X 4 in. Very good condition. c.1870's. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4021 - BUFFALO BILL WEEKLY MAGAZINES [163476]

Issues No. 3, 4 & 6 of the New Buffalo Bill Weekly: devoted to Far West Life. 32 page paperbacks with colorfully illustrated covers and tales of the Old West. New York, Sept. 28, 1912: "Buffalo Bill Besieged"; Oct. 5: "Buffalo Bill Turns The Tables"; Oct. 19: "Buffalo Bill's Defense." Each issue cost a nickel. Date: 1912 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4022 - WILD WEST WEEKLY [163343]

Three issues of a magazine containing stories, sketches of Western Life, published in New York for 5 cents. Issues from March 30, 1906 ("Young Wild West: Chasing the Cowboys"); April 13, 1906 (Young Wild West's Dash to Deadwood); June 1, 1905 ("Young Wild West and the Texas Rangers"). About 30 pages each issue, colorful cover illustrations. Date: 1906 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4023 - JOHN WESLEY HARDIN BOOK AND BUSINESS CARD [163287]

Softcover The Life of John Wesley Hardin, from the Original Manuscript, as Written by Himself, 1896. Covers and spine has wear, please inspect. Also John W. Hardin Esq. business card, probably NOT authentic. John Wesley Hardin was an American Old West outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble with the law from an early age. He killed his first man at the age of 15, claiming he did so in self-defense. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4024 - PAT GARRETT COVER [163280]

Matted cover addressed to Mr. P F Garrett, Las Cruces, NM 1902. Includes a COPY, not original, of letter to Garrett. "Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett was an American Old West lawman, bartender and customs agent known for killing Billy the Kid. He was the sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, as well as Do“a Ana County, New Mexico." from Wikipedia. Photo is on a modern postcard. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4025 - PROSTITUTE'S KIT WITH GUN, TOKENS AND MORE [156323]

This lot contains the unusual personal property of Prostitute Helen Humes in a walnut case. 2 brothel tokens-The Hog Ranch/Fort Laramie, Wyoming and Silver Dollar Hotel/Good For One Screw/Denver, Col. Assorted jewelry including a cross made in Rome. Buttons, a quartz crystal alum vaginal swab, c. 1911 tick/date book. Worn US silver coins; 5 Indian Head pennies, 8 Liberty nickels, 2 Morgan dollars, 4 barber halves. An unmarked Belgium .22 short revolver with Belgium black powder proof mark c. 1883; no longer working. An empty box of Peters .22 ammo. From the Dick Copp Museum, Virginia City, NV. The gun is an antique and no attempt has been made to fire this gun to confirm its mechanical integrity. Nor should this gun be fired without the examination by a qualified gunsmith. Any attempt to fire an antique is at the risk of the owner and not consistent with the value of the firearm. No sales to New York, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii. No FFL required. Must be 21 years of age to bid. Please see photos for details. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4026 - FRAMED WILD WEST PHOTOS [152779]

11 cowboy photos in 12.5x15.5" wood frame. Diamond Ranch, Arizona. 3x Lariat. Father and son. Fight, Men with hats and more. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4027 - AUSTRALIAN CRYSTALLINE GOLD NUGGET [160092]

Australian crystalline gold nugget. 17.24 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4028 - CANADIAN MINE REPORTS, 7, 1909-29 [161985]

7 Canadian mine reports. 1921, 1922, 1928. 1909 Quebec Chrome Iron Ore Deposits. 1913 Copper Smelting Industries of Canada. 1920 Mineral Resources of Manitoba. 1920 Graphite, BC,. 1916 Nova Scotia Annual Report of the Mines. Some have loose or missing covers. Date: Country (if not USA): Canada State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4029 - ARIZONA MINING POSTAL HISTORY [161447]

Lot of three. 1) Congress Gold Mining cc. Located at Congress, A. T. 1890/ Meyer type 1. One of 16 known at time of purchase. Target killer. 2) Central Arizona Mining Company. Located at Vulture, Arizona. 1883. Double circle postmark with a target killer. Meyer type 1. One of eleven known at time of purchase. 3) Wickenburg, A. T. although not a mining cover, (Wickenburg is near Vulture and in mining country.) Meyer type 2. One of ten known when purchased. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Arizona City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4030 - MY REMINISCENCES BY RAPHAEL PUMPELLY, 1918 [163252]

My Reminiscences by Pumpelly, Raphael 1918: Two Volumes with illustrations and maps. 844 pp. numbered consecutively. Publisher: New York, Henry Holt and Co. Pumpelly was a geologist who travelled widely exploring Arizona mines (1869) including the famed Heintzelman mine just after Apaches murdered miners there. He chronicles further mining adventures in Japan, China, Lake Superior Iron mines, the Rockies, Mexico, and Central Asia. P-345 Date: 1918 Country (if not USA): State: Arizona City: Provenance:

Lot: 4031 - WELLS FARGO POSTAL COVER FOR BODIE TUNNEL & MINING COMPANY [164063]

Rare Wells, Fargo & Co. Express cover with preprinted address to Capt. Thos. Buckley, Supt. Bodie Tunnel and Mining Company, Bodie, Mono County, Cal. 2 cent stamp. Postally unused. Buckley is listed as the supt. in 1879-1882. According to the United States Annual Mining Review & Stock Ledger (1879), the company was made of SF capitalists who wanted to drive a tunnel to intersect the Bechtel vein at depth (600 ft.). Robert Sherwood is president. In the 1880s, the company was involved in a lawsuit with the Tioga Mine. Date: c.1880 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Bodie Provenance:

Lot: 4032 - ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION PLANTS AND THE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN MINING OPERATIONS, 1894 [163242]

Electric Power Transmission Plants and the use of Electricity in Mining Operations: By LEGGETT, Thomas Haight. Sacramento 1894. The author reviews the first use of electric motors in the Bodie Mines, Mono County, California 45 pp. Hard bound, Illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and charts. Prior to 1894, mills in Bodie and elsewhere were powered by steam. Leggett, the superintendent of the Standard Mine, devised a method for providing electricity from a plant on Green Creek, thirteen miles distant. Though referred to during construction as "Leggetts Folly," the project was a resounding success. This booklet describes its plan and execution. Leggett went on to establish similar power plants as far away as South Africa. Previous owner's name on front cover, wrappers chipped over spine, front cover chipped and only tenuously attached, good condition. Date: 1894 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Bodie Provenance:

Lot: 4033 - PLACER GOLD, ANGELS CAMP ROYAL MINE, 15.5 GRAMS [162678]

Placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp, Calaveras Co., California. Weight is 15.5 grams enclosed in a 1-inch plastic capsule. After their military service under John C. Fremont, Henry and George Angel set up a trading post in Calaveras County, California, to serve area gold miners rather than engage in the hard labor of mining itself. That post became a mining camp and eventually a town named Angels Camp. The area mines produced more than $20 million in gold. Mark Twain is said to have heard a tall tale at the Angels Hotel that he spun into his book, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Here is about half of a troy ounce of placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras Co. Provenance:

Lot: 4034 - PLACER GOLD, ANGELS CAMP ROYAL MINE, 15.6 GRAMS [162675]

Placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp, Calaveras Co., California. Weight is 15.6 grams enclosed in a 1-inch plastic capsule. After their military service under John C. Fremont, Henry and George Angel set up a trading post in Calaveras County, California, to serve area gold miners rather than engage in the hard labor of mining itself. That post became a mining camp and eventually a town named Angels Camp. The area mines produced more than $20 million in gold. Mark Twain is said to have heard a tall tale at the Angels Hotel that he spun into his book, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Here is about half of a troy ounce of placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras Co. Provenance:

Lot: 4035 - PLACER GOLD, ANGELS CAMP ROYAL MINE, 15.6 GRAMS [162676]

Placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp, Calaveras Co., California. Weight is 15.6 grams enclosed in a 1-inch plastic capsule. After their military service under John C. Fremont, Henry and George Angel set up a trading post in Calaveras County, California, to serve area gold miners rather than engage in the hard labor of mining itself. That post became a mining camp and eventually a town named Angels Camp. The area mines produced more than $20 million in gold. Mark Twain is said to have heard a tall tale at the Angels Hotel that he spun into his book, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Here is about half of a troy ounce of placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras Co. Provenance:

Lot: 4036 - PLACER GOLD, ANGELS CAMP ROYAL MINE, 15.6 GRAMS [162677]

Placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp, Calaveras Co., California. Weight is 15.6 grams enclosed in a 1-inch plastic capsule. After their military service under John C. Fremont, Henry and George Angel set up a trading post in Calaveras County, California, to serve area gold miners rather than engage in the hard labor of mining itself. That post became a mining camp and eventually a town named Angels Camp. The area mines produced more than $20 million in gold. Mark Twain is said to have heard a tall tale at the Angels Hotel that he spun into his book, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Here is about half of a troy ounce of placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras Co. Provenance:

Lot: 4037 - PLACER GOLD, ANGELS CAMP ROYAL MINE, 16.7 GRAMS [162679]

Placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp, Calaveras Co., California. Weight is 16.7 grams enclosed in a 1-inch plastic capsule. After their military service under John C. Fremont, Henry and George Angel set up a trading post in Calaveras County, California, to serve area gold miners rather than engage in the hard labor of mining itself. That post became a mining camp and eventually a town named Angels Camp. The area mines produced more than $20 million in gold. Mark Twain is said to have heard a tall tale at the Angels Hotel that he spun into his book, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Here is about half of a troy ounce of placer gold from the Royal Mine near Angels Camp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras Co. Provenance:

Lot: 4038 - STOCKTON RIDGE MINING REPORT [161824]

Report for Theodore Fershtand of San Francisco concerning the Corral Flat and Concentrator Channels on Stockton Ridge, Mokelumne Hill mining district dated November 1, 1926. Written by Edward H. Benjamin, mining engineer, based on data he obtained working the property during the First World War. The Mokelumne Hill tertiary channel yielded lots of gold production. Mint receipts show return of $26,578, when the price of gold was $20.67 an ounce. Date: 1926 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Calaveras County Provenance:

Lot: 4039 - CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY - REPORT ON THE GEORGETOWN DIVIDE, 1874 [163240]

California Water Company - Report on the Georgetown Divide - 1874: By Amos Bowman. Embracing the Mining, Water and Land Resources of the Country between the South and Middle Forks of the American River, in El Dorado County, CA. A rare and important item for Gold Rush enthusiasts. Date: 1874 Country (if not USA): State: California City: El Dorado County Provenance:

Lot: 4040 - PALMER & DAY'S ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD DUST RECEIPT, REC'D FROM FRANK MCNAMEE & CO. [163553]

Palmer & Day's Assay Office in Folsom, CA, - Receipt dated Oct. 9, 1864 - No. 2794 Assay receipt for 39 and 32/100 oz. of Gold Dust under an advance of $500 to Frank McNamee & Co. Palmer & Day were bankers at an assay office in Folsom and Gold Hill Nevada Territory during Civil War years. They started in California during the Gold Rush as assayers and gold dust buyers. Vignette of allegoric Indian left. Signed by Palmer. Printed by Towne & Bacon, Printers, San Francisco. Very Fine. Size: 8.5 x 3.325 inches. Date: 1864 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Folsom Provenance:

Lot: 4041 - PALMER & DAY'S ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD DUST RECEIPT, REC'D FROM J.H.C. BAKER [163551]

Palmer & Day's Assay Office in Folsom, CA, - Receipt dated Dec. 17, 1864 - No. 6590 Assay receipt for 39 oz. of Gold Dust under an advance of $500 from J. H. C. Baker. Palmer & Day were bankers at an assay office in Folsom and Gold Hill Nevada during Civil War years. They started in California during the Gold Rush as assayers and gold dust buyers. Black on white with a two-cent blue Bank Check Washington Internal Revenue stamp. Vignette of Hydraulic mining to the left. Signed by Palmer. Printed by Towne & Bacon, Printers, San Francisco. Very Fine. Folsom. Palmer & Day: Palmer & Day were assayers and bankers in California. The pair got their start in Folsom in 1860, where Palmer established an assay office and Wells Fargo Express office. The pair expanded the assay business to Gold Hill in Nevada Territory in 1861, opening a bank there as well for a short period of time. Day, a young man of 23, ran the business and lived in Gold Hill. They sold the Gold Hill assay office less than two years later to Harvey Harris, who moved to Gold Hill from Marysville. Apparently, the Palmer & Day bank was kept open for a few months after the sale of the assay business, probably to facilitate closure. The Folsom office remained open for some time. Charles Theodore Hart Palmer established and built the first school in Sacramento in 1849. In 1860 he made the preparations for the Carson Valley Expedition that went to defend the honor of the Indian massacre near Pyramid Lake. He married Sherman Day's daughter. Roger Sherman Day was the son of Sherman Day, who was a prominent '49er and mining man. Sherman Day was an engineer at New Almaden (1861) and Folsom, among other places. In 1855 he wrote a treatise on the wagon roads that crossed California. In all likelihood, Sherman Day was C. T. H. Palmer's real business partner, and Palmer hired his son through family loyalty to help him learn the business trade. Checks from Palmer & Day in Folsom are scarce, and those from Gold Hill quite rare. Assay receipts from either location are R7, Extremely Rare. Size: 8.375 x 3.5 inches. Date: 1864 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Folsom Provenance:

Lot: 4042 - W.L. PERKINS - SHIPPING RECEIPT, SHIPMENT OF SAFE TO GOLD HILL, NV [163552]

Shipment of Safe to Palmer & Day's Gold Hill Assay Office on the Comstock from Folsom, CA, on August 23rd, 1861 - Receipt from shipper and freight forwarder W. L. Perkins of Folsom. Safe weighed 2148 lbs. The shipping costs were over $8400. Palmer & Day sold their Gold Hill Assay Office to Harvey Harris in 1863. Size: 5.25 x 7.75 inches. Date: 1861 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Folsom Provenance:

Lot: 4043 - WELLS FARGO EXPRESS RECEIPT, REC'D FROM PALMER & DAY, TO AUBURN STATION [163550]

Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express Receipt for Treasure shipment from Palmer & Day of coins worth $1001.80 Dated March 6, 1863. Shipment to Auburn Station c/o D. Hogins. Palmer and Day operated a bank and assay office in Folsom. A blue Wells, Fargo & Co. Express stamp of Folsom is accompanied by a 5-cent revenue stamp. Signed by C.T.H. Palmer. Size: 8 x 5.375 inches. Date: 1863 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Folsom Provenance:

Lot: 4044 - WELLS FARGO & CO'S. - GOLD DUST RECEIPT, REC'D FROM A. CLARK [163545]

Forest Hill, CA, 1878 - Wells Fargo & Co. Gold Dust Purchase Card - Very rare gold dust purchased card where the Wells Fargo office at Forest Hill bought from A. Clark 2 ounces 9 dwts of gold dust worth $43.50. A. H. Cowden was the Wells Fargo agent. Extremely Fine. Size: 3.625 x 2.25 inches. Date: 1878 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Forest Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4045 - GUT OF GRASS VALLEY BLUEPRINT MINE MAP [160747]

Very nice blueprint on linen map of a cross section of the gut of Grass Valley gold mines including Empire. Shows key gold veins. By Fred Miller, 1913. 29x40". Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Grass Valley Provenance:

Lot: 4046 - MARYLAND GOLD QUARTZ MINING HAND COLORED MAP [160748]

Nice framed, hand colored map of Maryland Gold Quartz Mining and other mines in Grass valley. By SJ Alderman, 1899. Map 8x10.5" with some paper damage in lower right, but overall displays well. Frame 13x16". Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Grass Valley Provenance:

Lot: 4047 - CHAMPION MINES MAP [164005]

Map of Champion Mines, Nevada City, CA on linen backing. C. 1890's. "Champion-Providence Mine was a consolidation of two adjoining gold mines in Nevada City, California subsequent to the California Gold Rush. After it became the Champion Group following annexation of additional adjacent mining concerns, it became one of the two most productive mining groups in the Nevada City Mining District, alongside the North Star Mine, which eventually purchased it. The Champion-Providence Mine closed in 1920". from Wikipedia. 20.5x55", a few small tears, overall nice condition. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Nevada City Provenance:

Lot: 4048 - CITIZENS BANK - GOLD RECEIPT, REC'D FROM A.K. CAWGER [163544]

Citizens Bank, Nevada City, CA, Gold Receipt - 1880 Bought $300.30 gold from A.K. Cawger. Size: 3.5 x 2.5 inches. Date: 1880 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Nevada City Provenance:

Lot: 4049 - OTT'S ASSAY OFFICE EPHEMERA [162196]

Group of ephemera related to Ott's Assay Office in Nevada City with photos and historical information. From estate of Don Schmitz, who inherited Otts' building from his father and was associated with Nevada City Mint. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Nevada City Provenance:

Lot: 4050 - PHILIP RICHARDS - GOLD DUST RECEIPT, REC'D FROM A. K. COWGER [163548]

Philip Richards Banker - Nevada City, California - Memorandum of Gold Dust Purchased from: A. K. Cowger for Oz. 6.25 at $17.75 per oz., a total of $110.93 dated October 16, 1871. Very Fine condition. Even though placer mining for Gold was being displaced by Quartz mining in this timeframe, this document reflects the continuing importance of Gold Dust trading. Philip Richards, an early banker in Nevada City, died there on May 27, 1887, at the age of 59. Size: 3.875 x 2.5 inches. Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Nevada City Provenance:

Lot: 4051 - NEVADA COUNTY MINING DOCUMENTS [161825]

Five documents concerning Nevada County mining: 1) Final or Completed Certificate and Notice of Location of the Bonanza Quartz Mine, recorded July 1, 1899 by C. O. & E. W. Sawtelle. 2) June 1, 1914 letter to acquire interest in a Nevada City mine, probably with the seller. "Every chance for dispute must be eliminated,". 3) 1894 Location Notice for the Chile Mine. 4) 1945 Agreement Of Sale for the "Sharp" Quartz and Gravel Mining Company for $15,000. 5) 1894 Order For Mineral Survey from the Department of the Interior, office of U. S. Surveroy-General W. W. Waggoner for the Little Dove Quartz Mine in Nevada County. In original envelope from the Department of the Interior San Francisco to Waggoner in Nevada City. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Nevada County Provenance:

Lot: 4052 - NEW ALMADEN RARE SMELTING STEREOVIEW [163117]

Rare stereoview of a smelter in New Almaden, CA, with 5 people on a bridge in foreground. By Watkins Pacific Coast. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: New Almaden Provenance:

Lot: 4053 - GOLD VS. GRAIN: THE HYDRAULIC MINING CONTROVERSY IN CALIFORNIA'S SACRAMENTO VALLEY, 1859 [163250]

Gold Vs. Grain: The Hydraulic Mining Controversy in California's Sacramento Valley: Robert L. Kelly, 1859 Glendale, CA: Arthur H. Clark Company. Brown cloth hardcover with gilt lettering to the spine. First edition. 8vo. [327 pp] Illustrated by 11 illustrations of scenes of mines and one-fold-out color map. Volume I of the Western Land and Waters Series. Limited to 1265 copies printed. This pioneering work highlights the long and bitter opposition of residents and farmers of the Sacramento Valley to the damage caused by flood-carried hydraulic mining debris. The severe erosion and consequent flooding of the valley caused by hydraulic mining are examined both historically and environmentally. Old photos of Placer operations, Flumes and Hydraulic Mining during the Gold Rush. Brown cloth, with gilt lettering to the spine, top edge colored, other edges untrimmed. (A.H. Clark Co., Bibliography and History, Clark & Brunet #158.) Contents are complete, bright and clean, binding is tight. Except for inside covers (ex-lib stains/markings) in Fine condition. Date: 1859 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sacramento Provenance:

Lot: 4054 - BISBEE, WILLIAMS & CO, MINING & METALLURGY - BUSINESS CARD [163547]

Bisbee, Williams & Co. Merchant Exchange, San Francisco, CA - Mining & Metallurgy Business Card - c1880s. Condition: Very good. Size: 3.5 x 2.25 inches. Date: c1880s Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4055 - BANK OF CALIFORNIA - BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM GILLSPY & CHILDS [163549]

Bank of California Bullion Receipt Sept. 19, 1885, San Francisco, CA - No. 642/3 bullion receipt. X-rare (1-3 known) probably R8. Receipt issued for bullion bar submitted to the bank for payment. Receipt for an ingot valued at $1648.37. Bank charged $10.50 for freight and $8.90 for assay. May be related to Comstock though names at top left: "Gillspy and Childs" could be from another area to the West. Size: 7 x 3.75 inches. Date: 1885 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4056 - CHEMICAL LABORATORY & GENERAL MINING OFFICES - LETTERSHEET [163559]

Chemical Laboratory & General Mining Offices Letter sheet - J. S. Phillips - Located at 702 California St. San Francisco. Earlier in 1873 Phillips had offices at 338 Montgomery St and at 423 Washington St. in San Francisco. See add below Salt Lakes City Directory 1873). This assay report is for the Emma Mine, Pinal County AZ. It is a four-page letter sheet for J. (Josiah) S. (Samuel) Phillips, Assayer, San Francisco, dated September 23rd, 1879. The letter and report refer to samples taken from the 55-foot level, which yielded $292 per ton of silver and 20.2% lead. Phillips was an important assayer and consulting mining engineer in the 1870s and 1880s. His breakout work was a book entitled, The Explorers, Miner's and Metallurgist's Companion, which he first published in 1872. At the time, this work was considered the most up to date, technical work on assaying. A second edition quickly followed in 1873 (682 pages). A full-page advertisement for a later edition of this book is part of this four-page letter sheet. Ephemera from Phillips is exceptionally rare, and this piece is an R8 and may be Unique. Very Fine. Size: 8 x 10 inches. Date: 1879 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4057 - E. LEWIN & CO. ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM C.C. BUSH [163555]

E. Lewin & Co Assay Office Receipt, Shasta, CA, March 4, 1869 - Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited with E. Lewin & Co., by C.C. Bush, Merchants and Bankers. Bush gave Lewin bullion bar #3122, weighing 23.51 ounces before melting and 22.55 ounces after melting, gold fineness 888, valued at $413.94. The net value was $611.93. Lewin ran some of the first assays on Comstock ore (Blake, 1860). An advertisement for Lewin & Co. in Langley's Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1867, (p. 96 rear) lists F. Baehr as a partner. C.C. Bush later ran the Bank of Shasta County at Redding. Shasta was the central gold rush community for the northern gold mines. Located north of Redding in central California, the community was the focal point for gold mines in Trinity, Klamath, Shasta, Siskiyou, and other neighboring counties. At one time it was considered for the state capital and was also under consideration for the transcontinental railroad route. Very rare. Very fine. Size: 9.75 x 4 inches. Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4058 - J.A. MARS ASSAYER - ORE FOR ASSAY RECEIPT, REC'D FROM H.C. EGERTON [163556]

J.A. Mars California Assay Office, 512 California Street, San Francisco Oct. 24, 1872 - Letterhead to H.C. Egerton - Describes a sample of magnetic iron ore that the latter submitted for analysis. Contained over 70% of Iron sesquioxide (Fe2O3) and 11% Iron Protoxide (FeO). Size: 8 x 10.5 inches. Date: 1872 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4059 - J.A. MARS ASSAYER - ORE FOR ASSAY RECEIPT, REC'D FROM H.M. PATTERSON, ESQ. [163557]

J. A. Mars California Assay Office, 512 California Street, San Francisco - November 21, 1871 - No.1042 Memorandum of Assay "of Sample of Ore Marked #2"for H.M. Patterson Esq. This receipt measures 7.75 x 9.75"and is printed on letter sheet buff colored paper in a medium blue ink. Metals Assayed "Placer Gold." at "$131.99 Silver, 1 ton, 2000 lbs." Signed J. A. Mars, Assayer. The address of this assay office is the same as George E. Rogers successor to G. W. Bell and must have passed to Lawrence and Mars sometime around 1870. The California Assay Office at 512 California Street was originally managed by H.H. Lawrence, with J.A. Mars as the assayer. Mars bought out Lawrence in mid-1871 and ran the assay office for a while thereafter. Assay reports or bullion receipts from this firm are extremely rare, with a rarity of R8 (1 to 3 pieces known). Very Fine. Very Rare California Assay Office Ore Memorandum, 1871, Possibly for Comstock Silver. This is the rare form for this San Francisco assay office. California Assay Office, No. 512 California Street, J.A. Mars, Assayer (H. H. Lawrence crossed out). Dated Nov. 21, 1871. The address of this assay office is the same as George E. Rogers successor to G. W. Bell and must have passed to Lawrence and Mars sometime around 1870. The California Assay Office at 512 California Street was originally managed by H.H. Lawrence, with J.A. Mars as the assayer. Mars bought out Lawrence in mid-1871 and ran the assay office for a while thereafter. Memorandum of Assay of "Sample of Ore" No. 1 deposited by W.H. Patterson, Esq. Assayed for silver and gold, but the sample contained only silver, 163.33 ozs per ton. Signed by J.A. Mars. 9.75 x 7.75"Folds. Where was this ore from? W.H. Patterson was a lawyer in the firm Patterson & Stow, 513 Jackson St. according to the 1871 SF directory. W.W. Stow, his partner and brother-in-law, was a very prominent railroad lawyer. According to the Annual Mining Review & Stock Ledger (1876), Patterson was at one time a trustee for the Mariposa Land & Mining Co. and both president and trustee for the Leviathan Mine in Gold Hill, Nevada. The fact that this ore sample is high-grade silver would point to a Nevada source. Therefore, it is possible this assay was for a Comstock Lode sample, perhaps even from the Leviathan. The Leviathan was staked in 1863 on the East Ledge, 1,000 feet in front and parallel to the Comstock Lode, opposite the Belcher and Crown Point Mines. The East Ledge (and this mine) were actively developed in 1874 when the mine was taken over by a San Francisco corporation. Assay reports or bullion receipts from this firm are extremely rare, with a rarity of R8 (1 to 3 pieces known). Very Fine. Size: 7.75 x 10 inches. Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4060 - NEVADA METALLURGICAL WORKS - CORRESPONDENCE WITH H. SHARP, ATTORNEY [163558]

Nevada Metallurgical Works Letterhead and Envelope - Assayers E. Huhn and C.A. Luckhardt, San Francisco, CA, Dated February 21st, 1876 - Letter to Mr. H. Sharp of S. Mark & Co. in Roseburg, Oregon concerning the assay of a sample of sulphurets. The contents of the letter (cover enclosed) discuss the refining costs per ton for roasting at least $8.50 and the additional costs of amalgamation or chlorination at $4.00 per ton. In the mid 1860's Luckhardt was hired by William Sharon of the Virginia City Branch of the Bank of California to assess which mining and mill properties the bank should buy out during a depression on the Comstock. In 1881 J.M. Seymour and C.A. Luckhardt represented the South Pacific Mining Co. a worthless property and added to the board of directors some respected individuals not previously associated with mining scams and promoted the property until it became the speculative favorite of Broadway. The price went from $1 par to over $14. They made millions at the expense of unsuspecting market players and investors. [Lingenfelter, 1986, Death Valley & the Amargosa, p. 158-159]. Signed Huhn & Luckhardt. Size: 8 x 10 inches. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4061 - PIONEER REDUCTION WORKS - STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT [163560]

Pioneer Reduction Works Statement - G.F. Deetken and Wm. E. Smith San Francisco April 4, 1879 - To H. G. Westmore for Assay and Refining charges. Some of the charges listed are subbed out to Thomas Price and Falkenau. Deetken was a pioneer in developing refining techniques. Size: 8.5 x 14 inches. Date: 1879 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4062 - RIEHN, HEMME & CO ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD RECEIPT, REC'D FROM W.F. & CO. [163554]

Riehn, Hemme & Co., Assay Office, San Francisco, CA, Jan 4, 1865 - No. 1735 Assay Receipt. for gold bullion bar deposited by Wells Fargo and Company. The piece is signed by Palmer, perhaps indicating that the bar went through C.T.H. Palmer's bank at Folsom . Red on white form. Located on434 Montgomery Street. Palmer handled much of the placer gold produced from the region around Folsom including famous locals such as the Mormon Bar. Assay result as follows: Weight before melting 130.36 oz, After melting 130.26 oz, Fineness .929, Value $2503.25. In addition to fees there is a column for U.S. Internal Revenue Tax which on this transaction amounted to $13.01 Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Riehn, Hemme & Co., Assay Office, San Francisco: 1862-1882. Charles F. Riehn and August Hemme opened an assaying business in late 1862 or early 1863. The company had an office in the heart of the San Francisco financial district at 434 Montgomery near the corner of Montgomery and California, directly across the Street from the Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank and express office. Prominent gold rush assayers Henry Hentsch and Francis Berton also had an office in the same building as Riehn and Hemme, possibly across the hall, but moved out within the next year. Riehn & Hemme's lab and processing facilities were located at 408 Montgomery and 1 Sumner Street. By the end of the Civil War in 1865, Riehn & Hemme were one of a dozen assaying firms in San Francisco. Riehn & Hemme's business was located in the center of the mining and business district of San Francisco. The building directly across the street at 422 Montgomery housed no less than a half dozen mining stockbrokers. Orville Ames, and three others, ran a mining stock brokerage next door. Charles Sutro, Adolph's brother, ran a gold dust and bullion brokerage business located immediately across the street from Riehn & Hemme. Kellogg & Hewston, perhaps the best-known California Gold Rush assay firm of the period, was located just a few doors down the street at 416 Montgomery. In the early 1870's, Riehn & Hemme centralized their business to the 404 Montgomery location, where they stayed for another decade, until selling out to F. Reichling about early 1882. The two decades they were in business was a long stretch for any California Assaying firm. Size: 5.25 x 11 inches. Date: 1865 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4063 - PAGE, BACON & CO. - BANK CHECK SIGNED BY THOMAS H. SELBY, ASSAYER [163567]

Page, Bacon & Co. check signed by assayer Thomas Selby - Number 613 issued on February 8, 1855 to Page, Bacon, & Co. for $3,605. Selby Smelting & Refining Company was begun in 1849 when Thomas arrived. In 1856 he would also start the Selby Smelting & Lead Works which would be the first smelting operation for metals other than gold and silver on the west coast. He soon enlarged his facility to 40 furnaces and became the largest smelter in the United States. Selby is a real success story of the California Gold Rush. San Francisco, CA, 1855. Size: 7.75 x 2.75 inches. Date: 1855 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4064 - SELBY SMELTING & LEAD CO. - ASSAY & REFINERY TRADE CARD [163569]

Selby Smelting and Lead Co. Business Card - 416 Montgomery St., San Francisco - Assay Office and Gold Refinery - Ores Assayed, Gold Bars Bought. Size: 3.625 x 2.25 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4065 - SELBY SMELTING & LEAD CO. - SMELTING & REFINING TRADE CARD [163568]

Selby Smelting and Lead Co. Illustrated Card. San Francisco, CA, - Office located at 416 Montgomery St., San Francisco. Works (Litho of on card) located at Vallejo Junction, CA. Smelters of Gold, Silver & Lead ores; Refiners of Gold & Silver Bullion, Gold Dust, etc. Size: 5.5 x 3 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4066 - WELLS FARGO COVER TO T.H. SELBY & CO. [163570]

Wells Fargo Cover addressed to T. (Thomas) H. Selby & Co. San Francisco - Date stamped on back Feb. 4, 1884, from Reno. Nevada. Size: 5.5 x 3.25 inches. Date: 1884 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4067 - SELBY SMELTING & LEAD CO. - BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM J.W. JIM [163573]

Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited with Selby Smelting and Lead Co. for Refining - No. 1 (153), May 25, 1889, Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited & assay report. Deposit was made by a Chinese Miner J. W. Jim. Chinese writing on the bottom and reverse. Location is at 416 Montgomery Street. Assay result as follows: Weight before melting 60.22 oz, After melting 57.32 oz, Fineness 837.5 Gold and 153 Silver; Net value $996.33. Net per oz. was $16.54 Blue and red printing on buff. Scarce. Size: 12 x 5.125 inches. Date: 1889 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4068 - SELBY SMELTING & LEAD CO. - BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM KRUSE & EULER [163572]

Memorandum of Bullion deposited with Selby Smelting and Lead Co. - Date June 26, 1879 - 28.25 oz. of 899 fine gold valued at $525.47 deposited by Kruse & Euler Size: 11.5 x 5.25 inches. Date: 1879 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4069 - THOS. H. SELBY & CO. - CASH RECEIPT, REC'D FROM J.G. GARRISON [163571]

Receipt of Thomas H. Selby & Co. dated Sept. 27, 1867. Received from Mr. J.G. Garrison. Size: 7.5 x 3.125 inches. Date: 1867 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4070 - COVER TO LOUIS A. GARNETT, ESQ C/O THOMAS PRICE ASSAYER [163563]

Cover from Michigan Bluff to Louis A. Garnett, Esq. C/O Thomas Price Assayers. Located at corner of Sacramento & Leidesdorff in San Francisco. The cover has in red ink "Work done on Big Cleanest" claim? Garnett had previously worked as Manager for Hewston at the San Francisco Assaying and Refining Works. Size: 5.5 x 2.25 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4071 - THOMAS PRICE'S ASSAY OFFICE & CHEM. LAB. - BUSINESS CARD [163562]

Thomas Price's Assay Office and Chemical Laboratory, San Francisco Business Card- Located at 524 Sacramento St. in San Francisco. Shows Rates for assays on Gold, Silver, Dore (unrefined) bars as well as ores and other types of analyses. Measures 3 x 5". Card dates to 1870-80s period. Very fine. Size: 3 x 5 inches. Date: c1870-80s Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4072 - THOMAS PRICE & SON - ASSAY RECEIPT, REC'D FROM SAN DOMINGO GOLD MINING CO. [163566]

Thomas Price & Son, Assayers & Refiners, San Francisco, CA, 12-May 1899 - No. 788 Deposit of "Unretorted Amalgam, Very Dirty" Made out to San Domingo Mining Company. The gold for this assay sheet came from the San Domingo Mine on San Domingo Creek in Calaveras County. It was a successful placer mine for which stock certificates are known. Very Fine. Size: 9.125 x 5.5 inches. Date: 1899 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4073 - THOMAS PRICE'S ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM BANK OF CALIFORNIA [163564]

Thomas Price's Assay Office and Chemical Laboratory, San Francisco, CA, December 22, 1877 - Memorandum #3389 of Bullion deposited for Assay of gold bullion by the bank of California at the San Francisco Office on 524 Sacramento St. Before melting 1476.20 oz.; after melting 1395.67 oz. Assayed 943.5 Fine in Gold valued at $27,215.15. Receipt is red printed on white paper 5.5 x 13"Credits for the assay chips are added and other charges for refining and making the bar are subtracted yielded a total net of $27,183.57. Calculations also on back. Very rare. Very Fine. Size: 13.5 x 5.625 inches. Date: 1877 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4074 - THOMAS PRICE'S ASSAY OFFICE - GOLD BULLION RECEIPT, REC'D FROM W.F. & CO. [163565]

Thomas Price Analytical Chemist, Assayer and Bullion Melter - Chemical Laboratory, Assay Offices, Bullion Rooms & Ore Floors - Dated Sept. 5th, 1881, Assay Receipt #8822 for a Gold bar deposited by Wells, Fargo & Co. c/o J. Hussey, weighing 174.9 oz. after melting worth $3481.54. Size: 13.25 x 6 inches. Date: 1881 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4075 - THOMAS PRICE'S ASSAY OFFICE & CHEM. LAB. - CERT. OF ASSAY [163561]

Thomas Price's Assay Office and Chemical Laboratory, San Francisco, CA, November 6, 1878. Certificate of Assay of sulphurets deposited by Mr. Welmore at the San Francisco Office. Certificate is for a re-assay: 16-3/10 oz of Gold and 1-1/10 oz of Silver. Total $338.37. Receipt is blue printed on white paper 9.5 x 5"Signed by Thomas Price. Office was located at 524 Sacramento St. This is a completely different form from a year ago which is the familiar red printed form. Very rare. Very Fine. Size: 9.5 x 5.125 inches. Date: 1878 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4076 - WEEKLY STOCK CIRCULAR, SAN FRANCISCO STOCK & EXCHANGE BOARD, FULL OF COMSTOCK NEWS [164483]

An early publication of the San Francisco Stock and Exchange Board. Datelined San Francisco Saturday Evening Jan. 30th 1864. This rare four page circular is printed on light blue stock. The first page was authored by Robert C. Page of R. C. Page & Co., a stockbroker and one of the charter members of the Exchange with offices at 709 Montgomery Street. It covers a brief summary of the financial markets followed a more detailed review of activity in specific Mining Stocks along with news from the significant mines. The second page lists the "Sales of Stock for the Week Ending January 30th"day by day. Much activity is reflected for the Real del Monte, and the Comstock mines: Lady Bryan, Burning Moscow, North Potosi, and Chollar. The third page has a section entitled "Fluctuations in Leading Mining Shares for the past six months" and lists 30 mining stocks and their prices. Two other sections status bonds and other non-mining stocks. The Fourth page lists detailed statistics for "Mining Stocks" reflecting: No. of feet in mine, shares per foot, total number of shares, incorporated value, Bid and Asked per foot, last monthly dividend, recent assessments per foot and total assessment per foot. The mines are grouped by region: Washoe District, 49 mines; Esmeralda District, 11; Coso District, 4; Humboldt District, 2; Reese River District, 14; Mexico, 5; and Misc. 5. The San Francisco Stock and Exchange Board was formed on September 11th, 1862 modeled after the New York and London Stock Exchanges for the purpose of controlling much of the speculation in the recently discovered Comstock Mines. It was the first mining exchange in the United States. 8.5 x 10.5" Folds, stains. Date: 1864 Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Francisco Provenance:

Lot: 4077 - SUTTER'S MILL PHOTO [161691]

Mounted photo of 4 people at the mill at Sutter's Mill, site of the discovery of California gold by James Marshall in 1848, which started the Gold Rush. Photo 6x8.25". Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sutter's Mill Provenance:

Lot: 4078 - HALL & ALLEN - GOLD DUST RECEIPT, REC'D FROM A. HUNTLEY [163546]

Todd Valley, CA, Placer County - c1867 - Hall & Allen, Bankers, Gold Dust Receipt - Gold dust receipt for gold purchased by J.M. Miner, an agent for Hall and Allen Bankers at Todd's Valley. Hall and Allen also had bank branches at Auburn and Dutch Flat as noted on the certificate. Todd's Valley was named for F.W. Todd, a cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln, who opened a store there in 1849. The U.S. Post Office there opened in the mid 1850s, and the area remained a rich gold producer through at least the 1880's, having produced millions of dollars in gold. This receipt is for 27 plus ounces of gold valued at $483.72. Fine with rubber band stains on reverse. Size: 5.125 x 3.375 inches. Date: 1867 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Todd Valley Provenance:

Lot: 4079 - CALIFORNIA GOLD MILL PRACTICES, 1895 [163243]

California Gold Mill Practices: Ed. B. Preston, M.E. Bulletin No. 6, California State Mining Bureau 1895 Many illustrations of machinery and photographs. A rare and important work for Gold Rush enthusiasts. Date: 1895 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4080 - CALIFORNIA MINES AND MINERALS, 1899 [163251]

California Mines and Minerals: San Francisco: Press of Louis Roesch Company, 1899. [4], 450pp. [2], xlviii (ads, principally mining equipment) pp., 3 folding maps, 2 folding charts, 2 plates, text illustrations. 8vo, original three-quarter pebbled grain maroon Morocco over maroon pebbled cloth, gilt-lettered spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. First edition. Profusely illustrated, mostly from vintage photographs and diagrams. Published by the California Miners' Association under the Direction of Edward H. Benjamin, Secretary for the California Meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Includes chapters by Ross E. Browne (The Mother Lode), O'Shaughnessy, and W.C. Ralston. Covers mining in gold, quicksilver, copper, petroleum, as well as hydraulic mining. Includes chapters on Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Alameda, and Fresno counties. This book surveys all aspects of California's mineral wealth and includes two chapters on the petroleum industry (with a photograph of crowded oil rigs in Los Angeles) and one on the copper industry. Among other topics considered are surveys of each appropriate county, mining organizations, machinery, and the University of California's College of Mining. The ads contain documentary illustrations and photographs of many types of mining machines in use at the time, mining scenes, logging operations, and establishments such as the Del Monte and Palace Hotels. Many of the articles have much historical material and data. Includes articles by Charles G. Yale on the Mineral Industry of California and by Ross E. Browne on the Mother Lode of California. Published for the members of the American Institute of Mining Engineers as a souvenir of their visit to San Francisco in October of 1899. Cowan II, p. 46. Norris 262. Rocq 16747. Wheat, Gold Rush 33. Not in Swanson. A near fine unmarked copy. Scarce in this condition. Date: 1899 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4081 - CALIFORNIA MINING REPORT, 1889 [163231]

California Mining Report 1889: By the California State Mining Bureau - 9th Annual Report of the State Minerologist - 352 pp. illustrated with 21 photo lithographed plates. Figures, index. Nicely rebound.. Date: 1889 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4082 - GOLD MINES AND MINING IN CALIFORNIA [163246]

Rare! Gold Mines and Mining in California: A NEW GOLD ERA DAWNING ON THE STATE. PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN THE BUSINESS San Francisco: Published by George Spaulding & Co., 1885. 349,[19] pp. Original printed wrappers bound in modern red cloth. Very good. Manual about mining and the mining business, highlighting recent innovations in mining technique. A detailed section on mines and mining areas listed by county on pp.199-301. Many advertisements for mining equipment and supply, assayers, Blasting Powder, etc. Also recounts a bit of gold rush history, with biographies of prominent figures, all in an optimistic and positive light. COWAN p.240. Reese 256-26606 10-31-07 Date: 1885 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4083 - MINERS AND BUSINESSMAN'S DIRECTORY, 1856, (REPRINT) [163229]

Miners and Businessman's Directory for the Year Commencing January 1, 1856: Embracing a General Directory of the City of Tuolumne and Portions of Calaveras, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties - Together with the Mining Laws of Each District, Description of the Different Camps, and other Interesting Statistical Matter - Heckendorn & Wilson - Reprint in a blue case. Date: 1856 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4084 - MINING AND MOTHERLODE PHOTOS, 20 [162180]

About 20 mining and Motherlode related photos, 4.5x3" to 4.5x6.5". Dump truck, motorized shovel, mine entrance?, miners, Lake Vera postcard, Rome Power House in Grass Valley, Nevada City Hydraulic mining RPC and more. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4085 - REPORT ON THE GEOLOGY OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, 1856 [163232]

Report on The Geology of Northern and Southern California: Embracing The Mineral And Agricultural Resources Of Those Sections, With Statistics Of The Northern, Southern And Middle Mines by Trask, John Boardman - Sacramento 1856 - Rebound 66 pp. Includes a table of gold mines in operation in 1855. Cowan, p.643. Greenwood 776. Date: 1856 Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4086 - TWO DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA DREDGING STEREOVIEWS [164085]

Lot of two different. One is completely unidentified. The other has "Boston No. 2" written in pencil on reverse. This was an Oroville gold dredge. Two nice mining views. The first dredges were constructed in the late 1890s. In 1908, 35 dredges were operating along the Feather River just southwest of Oroville. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4087 - WELCOME NUGGET AD. [148428]

Gold rush era ad "Welcome Nugget". Full color ad showing a miner holding up the Welcome Nugget discovered in 1869 and is 2217 troy ounces. This was an ad by T.C. Williams tobacco co. comparing their company tobacco to the same purity as the nugget. !0.5" x 10/5 inches. In plastic holder and in excellent cond. Link to nugget story https://www.goldrushnuggets.com/welcomenugget.html Date: 1880's Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance:

Lot: 4088 - FANTASTIC CRIPPLE CREEK "VEIN OF GOLD" PLAY POSTER [164363]

Boldy colored play poster for "White Eagle Discovers The Vein of Gold" at Cripple Creek. "Hal Reid's Best Play". White Eagle is holding up a large gold nugget in a cave as 2 women with a lamp can scarcely believe their eyes! 2 men luring in the background may have ulterior motives, who knows? 28.25x20.25". Small edge tears are less noticeable as a result of professional mounting on cloth. Nice piece! Date: Country (if not USA): State: Colorado City: Cripple Creek Provenance:

Lot: 4089 - KLONDYKE NUGGET BY S F CODY PLAY POSTER [164364]

Colorful play poster for The Klondyke Nugget by S F Cody. Printed in Belfast, this play was performed in England. The scene depicts a Native American holding a knife after stabbing a man in the chest and taking his gold nugget, which he holds high admiring its glow. "Samuel Franklin Cowdery/Cody, 6 March 1867 - 7 August 1913, born Davenport, Iowa, USA was a Wild West showman and early pioneer of manned flight. He is most famous for his work on the large kites known as Cody War-Kites, that were used by the British before World War I as a smaller alternative to balloons for artillery spotting. He was also the first man to fly an aeroplane built in Britain, on 16 October 1908. A flamboyant showman, he was often confused with Buffalo Bill Cody, whose surname he took when young. On 7 August 1913, Cody was test flying his latest design, the Cody Floatplane, when it broke up at 200 feet (61 m) and he and his passenger, the cricketer William Evans, were killed at Ball Hill, Laffans Plain, Cove Common near Farnborough." from Wikipedia. He may have shot and killed a lady in a shooting exhibition in which his aim was to shoot around the lady, but fatally struck her. 20x29.5", 1.5" right chip, 1.25" right edge tear, light edge foxing. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4090 - ONTARIO MINE ORE BAG [163295]

Canvas ore bag from Ontario Mine, a gold mine in Gilpin County. 22.5x13.5", some wear to material from use. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Colorado City: Gilpin County Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4091 - PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE 94 MINE [161495]

Two photographs of the cabin and office of the 94 Mine, Idaho Springs, circa 1900. Located at 10,280 feet elevation. Matted photos are 6 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches. Attribution written in pencil on reverse. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Colorado City: Idaho Springs Provenance:

Lot: 4092 - VINTAGE PIKE'S PEAK CANTEEN [161551]

Vintage metal canteen most likely from Pike's Peak. Front has a pained scene of a horse rider and carriages, back "Take a Drink On Me, Got a Claim". Leather top strap, missing cap. 9" diameter. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Colorado City: Pike's Peak Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4093 - COLORADO MINING PHOTOS, 2 [161688]

Mounted underground mining shot at Victor, CO., 3.45x4.75" 2 small residue spots on photo. Framed reproduction of Amethyst Tramway, Creede, Colo. Photo 9.25x7.25". Date: Country (if not USA): State: Colorado City: Provenance:

Lot: 4094 - IDAHO MINING PHOTOGRAPHS [161498]

Lot of three photographs of mining operations. Pencil attribution on reverse say Idaho. Each photo is 7 x 5 inches on 9 x 7 inch matting. Winter scene looking down the canyon; summer scene with the milling operations; foggy scene with smokestacks blowing full tilt. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Idaho City: Provenance:

Lot: 4095 - FRASER & CHALMERS MINING MACHINERY CATALOGUES, 1889-1892 [163249]

Extremely RARE! Fraser & Chalmers: A COMPLETE SET OF FORTY-THREE CATALOGUES AND PAMPHLETS FROM FRASER & CHALMERS MINING MACHINERY FIRM Chicago. 1889-1892. Various paginations. Illustrated throughout with fine engravings, many foldouts. Thick octavo. Original binding of full brown roan, stamped in blind and gilt, spine gilt. Front cover in gilt "Compliments of Fraser & Chalmers Chicago. Most individual items with a foredge tab. Binding slightly sunned and lightly worn. Overall, in fine condition. This collection of catalogues comes from the library of Gen. Juan M. Mendez (1820-1894) who had a long career in Mexican military and political affairs, serving in the Mexican American War and in the fight against the French invasion of the 1860s. Mendez twice was governor of Puebla, and was interim President of Mexico from December 1876 to February 1877. An amazing collection of catalogues and pamphlets from the leading mining equipment firm, Fraser & Chalmers of Chicago. Founded in 1871, they merged with several other firms in the early 20th century to become the farm equipment giant, Allis-Chalmers. In 1889, Fraser & Chalmers had the largest shops in the United States devoted to the manufacture and tooling of mining equipment, with their headquarters taking up an entire block at Fulton and Union streets in Chicago. They supplied mining equipment across the United States and internationally, doing business in Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and Central and South America. This collection of their catalogues provides a wealth of information and views on late 19th century mining techniques and equipment. Included are details and illustrations of drills, compressors, wheels, ore cars, hoisting machinery, pumps, steam stamps, designs, and specifications for entire milling operations, and much, much more. Contains a large foldout detailed drawing for a 60 Stamp Gold Mill that was built for the Montana Co. Ltd. The detailed application notes on the mining equipment usage would alone constitute an engineering text on mining and smelting techniques. Hundreds of detailed drawings of every component piece of equipment used in mining and smelting. Also given are lists of mining and smelting companies that Fraser & Chalmers has supplied specific equipment to, pamphlets they sponsored on mining innovations, printings of important articles including H.O. Hoffman's GOLD MILLING IN THE BLACK HILLS, published in 1889, and H.L. Bridgman's 1891 work on A NEW SYSTEM OF ORE-SAMPLING. Any 19th-century catalogues of Fraser & Chalmers are scarce - to find such a collection in one volume is a treasure. A wealth of mining information and illustrations, especially rich in specific information on mines and their equipment in the American West. Date: 1889-1892 Country (if not USA): State: Illinois City: Chicago Provenance:

Lot: 4096 - PENNSYLVANIA MINE CHECKS, MICHIGAN, 1860S, SAM HILL [155716]

Lot of 13. Twelve are for the Pennsylvania Mine. One is for the Delaware Mine. All are signed by Sam W. Hill as agent, who is known as one of the possible origins for the phrase "What in the Sam Hill?" All checks have an adhesive revenue stamp and are printed on thin paper. Rare group. An underground copper mine consisting of three shafts located near Delaware. The Pennsylvania Mining Company was organized in 1861 after splitting off from the Northwest Mining Company. The company began work on the Pennsylvania Fissure which consisted of three separate veins crossing their property. Shafts were sunk on each vein after rich copper deposits were discovered. The mine had a relatively short life, partly because company management spent their entire capital on surface improvements instead of mining, and the mine closed in 1866. [Ref:mindat.org] Date: 1864-1865 Country (if not USA): State: Michigan City: Keweenaw County Provenance:

Lot: 4097 - ANACONDA COPPER WORKHOUSE PHOTOGRAPH [161576]

Old photograph of over 35 men and boys posed for a portrait. Some pinholes upper corners. 8 x 4 1/2 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Anaconda Provenance:

Lot: 4098 - ARGYLE MINE LETTER TO A LADY [162163]

1893 letter from Argyle Mine to My Dear Maj. Jack mentions exercise, snowshoeing and fishing. 4 pp letter is 8x5" with back page wrinkle, cover with missing stamps included. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Beaverhead County Provenance:

Lot: 4099 - PROSPECTUS OF THE MCLEAN SILVER MINING COMPANY OF MONTANA, 1865 [163239]

Prospectus of the McLean Silver Mining Company of Montana 1865: BARLOW, William M. Philadelphia: J.B. Chandler; small 8vo in printed self-wraps entitled The McLean Silver Mining Company of Montana 1865, Philadelphia, 8pp, rebound in light blue buckram, contemporary gilt-lettered spine laid-down. Authored by William H. Barlow, secretary and treasurer of the McLean Silver Mining Company, this

Lot: 4100 - JT GOVE ASSAYER RECEIPTS, 2 [162199]

2 rare JT Gove, Utah Assay Office, Helena, Montana billheads for 1888 assay receipts of gold and silver. Assays for EJ Carter. We have never offered anything from this assay office before! Jacob Gove advertised [x=#8220/]Fifteen Years[x=#8217/] Practical Experience in Utah, Colorado and Nevada.[x=#8221/] Gove first came to Helena as a miner, and circa 1884 he built a two-story gable front-and-wing house on Spencer Street Alley. Gove was one of the incorporators of the Jumbo Mining Company in 1890. It is unclear where he worked in the other Western states. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Helena Provenance:

Lot: 4101 - SF MOLITOR'S ASSAY LETTER FOR A JOB TO ELLING [162198]

Very rare letter to Henry Elling on SF Molitor letterhead in 1870's asking for an assayer job. Letter is unsigned and on 1 page, possibly by Molitor and incomplete. Creases and 1.25" lower stain. SF Molitor was an assayer in Deadwood and San Francisco. Our company has sold numerous assay related pieces to his business in San Francisco, and a tin ingot (in our Oct. 2017 auction) from his time in Deadwood. Stephen Molitor was the son of A. Molitor, considered one of the great California Gold Rush assayers and one of the men originally involved with the U.S. Assay Office. In January 1859 Augustus and his son formed a new company called S, Molitor and Company. By then Stephen had worked in British Columbia during the Fraser River gold rush of 1857-1858 as well as in San Francisco with his father during earlier years. A third brother named Titus also worked for the firm. S. Molitor and Company's business in San Francisco flourished for a while. Then Stephen took off for a gold rush in San Diego County, but that did not last long. Molitor was then off to Helena, Montana and the Montana Gold Rush, then to Deadwood in the early 1880's as part of the Black Hills Gold Rush. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Helena Provenance:

Lot: 4102 - WELLS FARGO & CO. GOLD DUST RECEIPT [162172]

1870 Wells Fargo & Co. receipt for gold dust valued at $1440. From Helena, MT to NY. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Helena Provenance:

Lot: 4103 - GARNET GOLD MINING CO. CORRESPONDENCES [163393]

About 75 correspondences in binder related to Garnet Gold Mining Co. c. 1909-17. Letterheads, receivership, legal proceedings as the company failed etc. "In 1889, the Garnet Gold Mining Company and the Pony Gold Mining Company began operations in the Mineral Hill district. The Garnet Gold Mining Company was owned by investors in St. Louis. The company developed a group of 13 claims which came to be known as the Garnet Group." from westernmininghistory.com Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Pony Provenance:

Lot: 4104 - ASSAY RECEIPTS OF C. L. DAHLER [161577]

Two receipts from the assay office of C. L. Dahler, 1875, for gold. Also a billing receipt to Henry Elling from George Gohn of Metropolitan Meat Market (Gohn is the brother of T. Gohn the assayer). Receipt from Henry Elling, Banker by the agent for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4105 - KENNETT MINING EPHEMERA [162217]

12 pieces of Kennett Mining letters, c. 1896-1903. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4106 - VIRGINIA CITY, MT ASSAY CERTIFICATES, 2 [162215]

2 Virginia City, MT 1892 assay certificates for gold and silver. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4107 - MONTANA US ASSAY OFFICE EPHEMERA [162234]

5 rare US Assay Office items c. 1870-1901. Gold bullion deposits of $341, $889, $2684 and 2 letters. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4108 - MONTANA MINING AND PROTECTORY EPHEMERA [162164]

Virginia City Lava-Cap Mining prospectus with the story of Bummer Dan, whole stole a pie in a saloon and was tried for theft and ordered to work a thought to be worthless claim that had a large payout. Small stain and upper right chip. 1910 Montana Protective Assoc(anti union group). letterhead urging membership before "the sheriff knocks at your door and tells you to close up." 1896 Society of Montana Pioneers letterhead. Granite Creek Mining assay cert. 1892 for silver and gold. Letterhead of William Muth, 1885, regarding powder. Various mining billheads and letters with a mining theme. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4109 - MONTANA MINING COMPANY CORRESPONDENCES, 3 [162216]

1895 Summit Placer Mining letter to SR Buford wit attachment. 1890 Copper Bell Mining 2pp letter to SR Buford. 1910 Apex Co. 2pp of letters to SR Buford. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4110 - MONTANA MINING ENGINEER NOTE BOOK [162204]

A Montana mining engineer notebook with detached but present boards. Book has plan views of various levels of several connect mines including Parrot and Speculator. c. 1904. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4111 - MONTANA SURVEYOR EPHEMERA, 4 [162168]

4 pieces of Montana surveyor ephemera. 1875 US Deputy Mineral Surveyor letterhead signed by JM Page. 1880's BF and JM Marsh letterhead with billing for fees. 1896 billhead from US Deputy Mineral Surveyor for fees. 1875 billhead from US Deputy Mineral Surveyor signed by JM Page. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Montana City: Provenance:

Lot: 4112 - TERRITORIAL AURORA, NEVADA MINING DEED & LETTERHEAD [164484]

Lot of 2 Aurora items. 1) Sept. 3rd, 1864 indenture between the Antelope Silver Mining Company and Joshua Lyon of Aurora. $10,000 in gold coin. Mill and mill property on Esmeralda Gulch between the town of Aurora and Body Gulch in the county of Esmeralda, Territory of Nevada, including the "New Mill." Body Gulch is likely a reference to Bodie. Signed by the company president, Mitchell, secretary, and Commissioner of Nevada in California. 16.5 x 10.5" $10 imperf. US IR Probate stamp. Mark Twain discusses this mine! In a letter of May 4, 1862, he writes his brother: "Yesterday we took a spirit level and got the angle of the celebrated "Antelope" ledge, and tomorrow we shall commence a hunt after the second E. extension of it. We may find it and we may not. The thing has often been tried before, but with no success. If we find it, our fortunes are made - if we don't, - they ain't. I have 75 feet in a spur of the "Antelope," which promises nothing save that it is an offshoot from a good family - and I am aristocrat enough to attach some importance to that sort of thing." On May 5 he writes, "Hunted for "Antelope" today, and found a ledge - but hardly think it is the right one. Four of us boys have dug two trenches, each 20 feet long and 6 feet deep, to-day, in the gravelly hill side. Finally, if we do find the "Antelope," we shan't care a dÛn any more." [Letters from the Mark Twain Project] 2) Consolidated Esmeralda (Limited) letterhead. Dateline Aurora, 1889. Message to Hume Yerington in Carson about a Blake Steam pump that they want them (likely the V&T shops) to make. Includes small sketch. Heavy toning and stains. Date: 1864-1889 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Aurora Provenance:

Lot: 4113 - VERY EARLY AURORA MINING DEED FOR THE FIRST NORTH EXTENSION CLAIM [164466]

Very early Aurora mining deed, issued when Nevada was still part of Utah Territory! Dated Dec. 1st, 1860. Contract between E.F. Mitchell of Utah Territory and William H. Heighe for $500 being "an undivided ten feet interest in the first Extension North, of the Esmeralda Lode in the Esmeralda District." Samuel Clemens never wrote a word about this property. Signed by Mitchell and EP Peckham, Commissioner of Utah Territory in California. Red seal. Black print on blue paper. 14 x 8.5" The original district was ten miles square and named by M. J. Corey, one of the three original discoverers int he summer of 1860. James Braley, ER Hicks and Corley were camped at Esmeralda Hill when Hicks went to shoot some game for breakfast. He noticed the quartz outcrop, broke off chunks and hauled them back to camp. His partners tested the quartz for silver and gold. The first claim was the Old Winnemucca ledge, located August 25, 1860. The first mill was built in June of 1861, and within a year there were nine more mills. Its activity is unknown, but we have sold stock certificates for this company. Date: 1860 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Aurora Provenance:

Lot: 4114 - 1865 AUSTIN, REESE RIVER MINING DISTRICT, NEVADA, HAND DRAWN MAP [136356]

22.5 x 31" hand drawn and colored map of mining properties on Union and Central Hill drawn by W, Schofield, mining and civil engineer, dated Austin, Lander Co., Nevada, Sept. 1865. This is a remarkable and previously unpublished map showing the relative locations of the following lodes from what may be the very beginning of the discovery period in 1863: (from south to north) Brown & Butler; Penobscot; Naiad Queen; Burra Burra; Espinasena; North River; Sterling Co.; Achilles; and a few more. The mills of the Boston Co. and the Oregon Co are shown, along with the Overland Trail at the left edge of the map, north of all else shown. The ore house for the Naiad Queen is also shown. A pencil note was added later on the Oregon Mill, "now Manhattan Co.". This may possibly be the very first map drawn of the "ore" veins in this section of the Reese River District, as most or all of these were given other names very soon. Interestingly, no portion of this map is identified on the Lander Hill (Reese River) map of Raymond in Mineral Resources West of the Rocky Mountains, 1869, opposite p78. Further, no mention is made in that chapter of Central and Union hills, even though the Oregon Co.'s mill appears to show on the 2 maps. The district was discovered in December 1862, and a mini-rush ensued in 1863. But thin veins, coupled with the remote location and lack of infrastructure caused a slow-down in production (only $16,000 in 1863!), such that most of 1864 and the start of 1865 were mostly idle, according to Abbe in Austin and the Reese River Mining District, 1985. The Civil War also had its pull. This map was drawn as the district started to come back to life after the Civil War. The Oregon Mill was built in ept. 1863, one of the first handful of mills built between August and September. In March, 1864, and one of the most successful of the first mining companies. That company built a roasting furnace as part of the Mill complex, shown by the multiple buildings on this map. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Austin Provenance:

Lot: 4115 - TWO MINING LETTERS CONNECTED TO JAMES F. REED, DONNER PARTY [164333]

Lot of two letters with content about mining in Nevada and its ties to money from Philadelphia. One appears to have been sent to James F. Reed when he was in Austin in 1868. The other letter (1871) appears to be from Reed to the writer of the other letter, whom he refers to as brother. 1) 1868 letter from Philadelphia from William F. Patterson to Reed in Austin. Says people are asking him when the mine will be open. Also provides updates about Austin: the Brown Mining Co., the Old Dominion Mill, the Keystone Mine. Mentions that Raymond under Ross Brown[sic] is in Austin for two months. A railroad is to be built from Humboldt to the Colorado River. Etc. 2) 1871sent to Patterson in Treasure City, Nevada (crossed out and San Jose written in). Letter is from JFR (believed to be James F. Reed). Discusses mining news, stock shares, etc. "I hope the people in Philadelphia will supply with means to keep the work going.." Both of these letters highlight the financial backing Philadelphia had in Reese River and nearby areas in Nevada in the 1860s and 1870s. James F. Reed (1800-74) was an Irish-American businessman and soldier and a pioneer in the American West, notable for being an organizing member of the ill-fated Donner Party emigration to California in 1846. On the trip West, Reed quarreled with two teamsters and, in the ensuing fight, stabbed John Snyder to death. One emigrant proposed hanging Reed, but after Reed's wife pleaded for leniency, the other emigrants decided to banish him instead. Reed initially refused to accept their decision but eventually agreed to go ahead to Sutter's Fort, in the Sacramento Valley, for supplies. After a difficult journey during which he nearly starved, Reed reached the fort on October 28. After two days of rest, he attempted to take provisions back to the wagon train, but deep snow blocked the way. The early onset of winter not only blocked Reed's return but also trapped the Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada. Reed, now stuck in California, tried to organize another relief expedition, but turmoil from the Mexican-American War not only disrupted his efforts but also forced him to take up arms. On January 2, 1847, Reed participated in the Battle of Santa Clara. Date: 1868-1871 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Austin Provenance:

Lot: 4116 - SANTIAGO MINING COMPANY DEED, ORMSBY COUNTY, NV 1867 [164488]

Deed between Nancy Burke and the Santiago Mining Company, January 9th, 1867. $1,000 in gold coin. East Mount Diablo Meridian. Rare red $1 Nevada adhesive revenue stamp and $1 US IR Power of Attorney stamp attached on the left border. HH Bancroft & Co. print, SF. 17 x 11" Signed by Burke and JH Blood, Commissioner of Deeds for the State of Nevada. Date: 1867 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Carson City Provenance:

Lot: 4117 - GOLD QUARTZ ORE, GOLDFIELD, NEVADA, 29.7 GRAMS [162673]

Cut and polished slab of gold-in-quartz ore from Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada. 1.625 x 1.375 x 0.375 inches, 29.7 grams. At the turn of the 20th century, Goldfield became a boomtown, producing in excess of $86 million from numerous mines around the city. A few short years after being established in 1902, Goldfield grew to around 20,000 people, making it the largest town in Nevada at the time. Wyatt and Virgil Earp arrived in 1904, and Virgil became a deputy sheriff. When Virgil died of pneumonia in 1905, Wyatt left town to pursue mining claims elsewhere in the Western US. See photo for shape details. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Goldfield Provenance:

Lot: 4118 - GOLD QUARTZ ORE, GOLDFIELD, NEVADA, 51.4 GRAMS [162674]

Cut and polished slab of gold-in-quartz ore from Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada. 2.5 x 1.5 x 0.375 inches, 51.4 grams. At the turn of the 20th century, Goldfield became a boomtown, producing in excess of $86 million from numerous mines around the city. A few short years after being established in 1902, Goldfield grew to around 20,000 people, making it the largest town in Nevada at the time. Wyatt and Virgil Earp arrived in 1904, and Virgil became a deputy sheriff. When Virgil died of pneumonia in 1905, Wyatt left town to pursue mining claims elsewhere in the Western US. See photo for shape details. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Goldfield Provenance:

Lot: 4119 - CROWN POINT BONANZA GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, GOLD HILL, NEVADA [164465]

Gold silver ore specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Attached cardboard label reads: "Gold + Argentite + Polybasite + Pyrite. "Crown Point" Bonanza Ore-Comstock Lode Virginia City-Nevada." 1.75 x 2.25 x 0.75" Weighs 156.8g The initial silver and gold strikes on the Comstock started declining in the second half of the 1860's. However, in January of 1871 a new rich ore body discovered in the Crown Point Mine revitalized the Comstock. The claim was between the Belcher and Kentuck mines in Gold Hill adjacent and south of Virginia City. The ravine going west up the mountain was named the Crown Point Ravine which was traversed by a trestle of the same name that allowed the Virginia & Truckee Rail Road to traverse high over the mining property. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4120 - CROWN POINT BONANZA GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, GOLD HILL, NEVADA [164456]

Large cut specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Cardboard label reads: "Bonanza Gold-Silver Ore. Gold + Argentite + auriferous chalcopyrite. Crown Point Mine. Comstock Lode Virginia City-Nev." Measures 3 x 2.25 x 1" Weighs 244.9g with label. Great looking. The initial silver and gold strikes on the Comstock started declining in the second half of the 1860's. However, in January of 1871 a new rich ore body discovered in the Crown Point Mine revitalized the Comstock. The claim was between the Belcher and Kentuck mines in Gold Hill adjacent and south of Virginia City. The ravine going west up the mountain was named the Crown Point Ravine which was traversed by a trestle of the same name that allowed the Virginia & Truckee Rail Road to traverse high over the mining property. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4121 - CROWN POINT BONANZA GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, GOLD HILL, NEVADA [164451]

Specimen attached to cardboard identification label that makes this out of the famous Gottschalk Collection. "Bonanza Gold-Silver Ore, Crown Point-Gold Hill, Virginia City-Nev." 2 x 1.5 x 1.5" Specimen weighs 162.3g with label. The initial silver and gold strikes on the Comstock started declining in the second half of the 1860's. However, in January of 1871 a new rich ore body discovered in the Crown Point Mine revitalized the Comstock. The claim was between the Belcher and Kentuck mines in Gold Hill adjacent and south of Virginia City. The ravine going west up the mountain was named the Crown Point Ravine which was traversed by a trestle of the same name that allowed the Virginia & Truckee Rail Road to traverse high over the mining property. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4122 - CROWN POINT GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, GOLD HILL, NEVADA [164461]

Large cut specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Cardboard label reads: "Argentite + Pyrargyrite + Stephanite. Crown Point Mine. Comstock Lode Virginia City-Nev." Measures 4.5 x 1.25 x 1.25" Weighs 215.7g with label. Great looking. The initial silver and gold strikes on the Comstock started declining in the second half of the 1860's. However, in January of 1871 a new rich ore body discovered in the Crown Point Mine revitalized the Comstock. The claim was between the Belcher and Kentuck mines in Gold Hill adjacent and south of Virginia City. The ravine going west up the mountain was named the Crown Point Ravine which was traversed by a trestle of the same name that allowed the Virginia & Truckee Rail Road to traverse high over the mining property. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4123 - CALIFORNIA MINE SILVER GOLD ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164457]

Ore specimen from the famous California Mine, adjacent to the Con. Virginia, the site of the Big Bonanza discovery in 1873. It was a fabulously rich mine also. Attached to carboard tag with information, which identifies this specimen as out of the famous Gottschalk Collection. Label reads: "Gold-Silver Ore "California" Mine Comstock Lode Virginia City-Nev." Measures 2 x 1.5 x 1" and weighs 96.9g with label. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4124 - CALIFORNIA MINE SILVER GOLD ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164450]

Nice looking cut specimen from the famous California Mine, adjacent to the Con. Virginia, the site of the Big Bonanza discovery in 1873. Attached to carboard tag with information, which identifies this specimen as out of the famous Gottschalk Collection. 3.75 x 1.5 x 1" Specimen weighs 233.8g with tag. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4125 - CALIFORNIA MINE SURFACE WORKINGS SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164459]

Specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Attached to cardboard label that reads: "Surface workings of the California Mine-Comstock Lode." Measures 3 x 1.5 x1.5" Weighs 102.8g with label. The California Mine was adjacent to the Con. Virginia, the site of the Big Bonanza discovery. The California Mine was also extremely rich. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4126 - CHOLLAR MINE GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164464]

Gold Silver ore cut specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Attached cardboard label reads: "Gold-Silver Ore + manganese oxides Chollar mine-surface ore. Comstock Lode-Virginia City-Nev." 3 x 2.25"x 1.25" Weighs 205.1g The Chollar Mine is located between the Hale & Norcross and Potosi mines. Tours are still offered today. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4127 - CHOLLAR MINE GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164458]

Ore specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Attached to cardboard label that reads: "13 Gold-Silver (Kustelite in vug) "Chollar" Comstock Lode Virginia-City-Nev." 1.75 x 2 x 1" Weighs 87.0g with label. Kustelite is named for Guido Kustel and is a variety of silver defined as containing 10% - 30% of Gold. Guido Kustel was one of the most important mining engineers of his time, spanning the California Gold Rush, early silver mining days of Arizona and the subsequent silver boom on the Comstock in Nevada. He was born in 1817 in Hungary in a region presently straddling the border between Poland and Ukraine. Kustel attended the prestigious Freiberg School of Mines, where intense training left graduates as assayers, metallurgists and mining engineers. The Chollar Mine is located between the Hale & Norcross and Potosi mines. Tours are still offered today. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4128 - CHOLLAR MINE GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164455]

Fabulous specimen out of the famous Gottschalk Collection. Cardboard label reads: Cerargyrite + Argentite + Pyralgyrite. 80ft level. Cholar[sic.] Mine-Comstock Lode-Virginia City-Nev." Measures 2 x 1 x .75" Weighs 56.4g with label. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4129 - CHOLLAR POTOSI SILVER GOLD ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164452]

Comstock mineral specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Cardboard label identifies this as: "Silver-Gold Ore, Chollar-Potosi Claims, North of Gold Hill-Comstock Lode, Virginia City-Nevada" This piece shows amethyst, which FH noted was very rare for these specimens. Measures 2.75 x 1.25 x 1.75" Weighs 121.0g with label. The Chollar & Potosi were located in southeast Virginia City adjacent to the Hale & Norcross. The two fought in court when the Chollar claimed the Potosi had staked land on their claim. The lawsuit ended in a merging of the two companies in 1865. They later split apart again in the late 1870s. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4130 - CON-CHOLLAR MINE HIGH GRADE SILVER ORE SPECIMEN [159944]

Con-Chollar Mine High Grade Silver Ore Specimen from the Gottschalk Collection. 3.5 x 1.5 x 0,75" mounted on card with label: "Bonanza Gold-Silver ore, Con Chollar Mine, Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Nevada". This specimen is from the Gottschalk Collection, a massive high grade ore specimen collection from a Univ. of Nevada Professor from the 1930s who accumulated key specimens from key Nevada mines, often from historical collections of USGS geologists. This specimen has argentite, native silver in a quartz breccia. One side has a cut surface, the other natural. Outstanding. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4131 - GOULD & CURRY HIGH GRADE GOLD & SILVER SPECIMEN [164454]

2 x 1.25" Extreme high grade specimen. This specimen contains intense mineralization. Most of this rock is made of silver sulfides in quartz. Within the silver/quartz is moderate to local strong visible electrum ranging from pale yellow to bright silver in color. It also contains some but weak chalcopyrite. It is a very flashy specimen. 26.5g Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4132 - HALE & NORCROSS GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164462]

Gold silver ore specimen from the famous Gottschalk Collection. Attached cardboard label reads: "Gold-Silver ore Hale-Norcross Mine Comstock Lode Virginia City-Nev." Triangular cut specimen measuring 2.5 x 1.75 x .5" Weighs 61g. Founded in 1859, the Hale & Norcross contained about 400 feet of original Comstock Lode located between the Savage and Chollar Mines. In 1868, a fierce stock battle was waged for ownership over this property. At the time, the mine was thought to be barren and was in the hands of William Sharon and the Bank of California (Wm. Ralston). Local miners John Mackay and James Fair were convinced the mine had been poorly managed, but would produce good ore if properly worked. The two formed an alliance with former San Francisco saloon owners James Flood and William O'Brien, and with $50,000 of borrowed money secretly began buying Hale & Norcross stock. Sharon, known as the "King of the Comstock" was rarely bested in mining matters, but was caught napping when the stock raid took place. At the annual stockholders meeting on March 10, 1869, the four men now known as the Bonanza Firm, holding a majority of the stock elected themselves trustees of the Hale & Norcross Company. The gamble had paid off and the four netted over $500,000 from this deal alone. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4133 - HALE & NORCROSS HIGH GRADE GOLD-SILVER ORE SPECIMEN [159945]

Hale & Norcross High Grade Gold-Silver Ore Specimen on card with label "Gold-silver ore, 580 level, Hale & Norcross Mine, Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Nevada" from the Gottschalk Collection. The specimen has a high percentage of small grains of mixed sulfides in a quartz rich breccia matrix. No cut edges on this specimen. Choice higher level specimen from an area now long mined out. This specimen may may have been collected by one opf the USGS geologosts pre- 1900. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4134 - MEXICAN MINE GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, W/ NATIVE SILVER [164453]

Small but fantastic cut ore specimen with visible native silver! Attached to cardboard label which makes it out of the famous Gottschalk Collection. Label reads: "13 Gold + Argentite "Mexican" Comstock Lode." Specimen measures 1.25 x 0.5 x 1.5" and weighs 41.2g with label. The Mexican Mine was located in Virginia City adjacent to the Ophir. In 1877, the Bonanza Firm (Mackay, Fair, Flood, & O'Brien) took over control of the mine and explored it extensively, but without returns, into the 1880s. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4135 - MEXICAN MINE HIGH GRADE GOLD SILVER ORE SPECIMEN, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164460]

2.75" square slab. 57.6g. This extreme high grade specimen is one intensely altered and mineralized rock. It is a brecciated, recemented vein. It is also loaded with silver sulfides and base metal sulfides (mainly chalcopyrite). The silver sulfides are Stephanite, polybasite, and trace argentiferous galena. This mineralization also contains minor visible gold minerals in the form of electrum. The Mexican was located adjacent to the Ophir. The Bonanza Firm purchased the claim in 1877 and explored it extensively without good results into the mid 1880s. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4136 - OPHIR BONANZA ORE EXTREME HIGH GRADE GOLD SILVER SPECIMEN [164463]

5" cut slab. 185.1g. DOUBLE WOW! This rock is loaded throughout almost the entire cut faces with silver mineralization. It too looks like it may contain every silver mineral known to exist in the Comstock Lode. This slab also contains an abundance of base metals as well. One can see trace to minor gold but abundant electrum. This specimen was collected in the original trench dug while searching for the "lode". The Ophir was the discovery location for the Comstock Lode in Virginia City. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4137 - COMSTOCK HIGH-GRADE ORE, 55-POUND SPECIMEN [159494]

This 55-pound boulder of Comstock silver-gold ore was reportedly found in the basement of the Virginia City Bonanza Club in the 1980's by Spencer Hobson, nephew of long-time Reno resident and casino owner Pick Hobson. Family lore tells that the boulder originated from the 600-foot level of a Comstock silver mine, but we do not know which one. The specimen shows extensive fracturing and mineralization with sparkling druzy quartz crystals throughout. Crystals of shiny yellow pyrite, brassy chalcopyrite, and possibly sphalerite appear with dark grey, silvery crystals, probably acanthite. All of the quartz is dark grey like other quartz found at the Comstock, likely because of included silver sulfides. This is a sizable display specimen at 16 x 13 x 10 inches, and it is attractive from practically every viewpoint. It's historical significance is potentially as high or higher than its metal value. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4138 - LETTER TO EARLY COMSTOCKER VIGNOT WITH REFERENCE TO ORMSBY [164487]

Letter datelined San Francisco, January 23rd, 1860. Addressed to Jean Vignot in Gold Hill, Utah Territory, from notary public E. Dupree. Mentions promissory note drawn by HF Clarke in favor of John Vignot and endorsed by WM Ormsby. Blue paper, folds. 10 x 7.75" Ormsby would be killed by Native Americans at Williams Station just a few months after this letter. In 1858 James Finney, called Virginia and for whom Virginia City is named for, saw a knob of a hill, now called Gold Hill, and predicted there was wealth there. However, he took ill and John Vignot cared for him. As a result 'Virginia' gave "Little French John" nine feet in his share of the ledge on Gold Hill. John Vignot's cabin was one of the first five structures built on the Comstock. On May 11, 1861 he, Patrick McLaughlin (credited with being one of the men to find the Comstock Lode) and others applied for water rights at Gold Hill. On July 8, 1861 Vignot with others bought 500 feet of a recently discovered lode from McLaughlin, Peter O'Reilly (the other discoverer of the Comstock lode), et al. Great Nevada history figures in this early letter! Date: 1860 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4139 - SHERIFF'S SALE OF GOLD HILL MINING CLAIM, SIGNED BY JC CLARK [164495]

Sheriff's Certificate of Sale Under Execution for Nov. 24th, 1865, in favor of Maynard (Gold Hill banker) against CW Newman. Property is mining claim known as the "Bank of Hamilton," which is near the Yellow Jacket. Signed by JC Clark as sheriff. Two green 5 cent Nevada stamps at upper right and one 10 cent US IR Bill of Lading stamp at upper left. Folds, tears, some staining. 14 x 8.5" JC Clark was a cousin of mining magnate George Hearst. Jacob Clark came with Hearst to California during the Gold Rush, and then to Nevada with him at the beginning of the Comstock Lode Rush in 1859. There, Hearst arranged to buy a one-sixth interest in the Ophir Mine. This investment was the start of his mining legacy. In the 1864 Collins directory, Clark is listed as co-owner and superintendent of the Hoosier State Mill in Virginia City. The directory lists the other owner as Geo. Hurst [sic.]. The two are also listed as a partnership, Clark & Hurst [sic.]. In 1864, Clark was elected sheriff of Storey County. Date: 1866 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4140 - UNCLE SAM SENIOR & GOLD CANON SILVER LODES REPORTS, GOLD HILL, NV [164485]

Lot of 2 different. 1) Prospectus, 1865. Gold Hill, Nevada, Storey County. Printed by Alfred Mudge & Son, NY, 1865. Pink cover with black print. 32pps, 5.5" x 9.5". The report concerns two claims, the Uncle Sam Sr. and the Gold Canon. The property was situated between the Yellow Jacket and Justus properties. This prospectus contains several testimonials from Mining engineers, assayers and Virginia City notaries as to the quality of the claims. The main part of the prospectus is a late addition report by Adelberg & Raymond, Mining Engineers, New York, who were hired by S.A. Chapin to inspect and evaluate the claims. Extremely fine condition. 2) 1866 follow-up report by Wm. C. Prescott. March 8, 1866. 7pp. No covers. Date: 1865-66 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4141 - BANK OF CALIFORNIA, GOLD HILL CHECKS WITH 3 DIFFERENT NV ADHESIVE REVENUE STAMPS [163892]

Lot of 3. Each has a different Nevada adhesive revenue stamp: 2 cent, 4 cent (extremely rare), and 5 cent. 1) 1865 draft to Leet & Co. for $111.61. Signed by WH Blauvelt. Extremely rare red 4 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp! Also has a 2 cent US IR stamp. 2) 1868 certificate of deposit for Thomas Moran for $100. Signed on the back by Moran. Is this noted Western artist Thomas Moran??? Possible as Moran was traveling in the West during this period. Orange 2 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp and 2 cent US IR. Signed by Blauvelt. 3) 1867 draft to WE Loomis for $10. Signed by Blauvelt. Green 5 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp and 2 cent US IR. Date: 1865-68 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4142 - BANK OF CALIFORNIA, GOLD HILL, NV RN CHECK TO MAJOR SF WHISKEY MERCHANT [163890]

Bank of California, Gold Hill, Nevada, 1876, issued to Spruance Stanley & Co. for $466.25. Signed by WH Blauvelt. Endorsed on the reverse. RN-D imprinted revenue. Spruance Stanley & Co. were major San Francisco whiskey merchants who have embossed bottles. Perfect companion piece for our bottle collectors! Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4143 - GOLD HILL, BANK OF CALIFORNIA REVENUE CHECK TO BE PAID IN TRADE DOLLARS [155517]

Bank of California, Gold Hill, 1876, issued to Maynard for $134 in "Trade Dollars." Signed by Blauvelt. "Trade Dollars" written in purple ink twice. Rare designation. Were these dollars from the nearby Carson City Mint? Probably! Great check for our coin collectors. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4144 - GOLD HILL, NEVADA CHECK COLLECTION INCL. TERRITORIAL ITEMS [163908]

Lot of 8. 1) Yellow Jacket Silver Mining Company. Two different checks: 1888 issued to the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co., RN-G; and 1897 issued to the Territorial Enterprise, no RN. Both signed by JW Eckley and WH Blauvelt. This mine was the site of a horrible underground fire in 1869. 2) Two different territorial pieces: Wells, Fargo & Co. Certificate of Deposit, 1863, issued to AM Cran; and Maynard & Flood check from the Imperial Silver Mining Co., 1863, for freight on timbers. 3) Bank of California. Three items: two certificates of deposit, 1870 & 1871, signed by Blauvelt, one with 5 cent NV revenue stamp, the other a 2 cent NV revenue stamp; and 1868 draft signed by Blauvelt, 5 cent green NV revenue stamp. 4) Justice Silver Mining Company. Unissued (as is standard), c.1890s. This was a Silver City area mine staked in 1859 and located one mile NW of Devil's Gate. Date: 1860s-90s Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4145 - THREE SCARCE GOLD HILL, NEVADA CHECKS [163891]

Lot of 3 different. 1) Rare pictorial check for HH Flagg, Banker, 1868. Issued to Mason & Huff for $1,912.25. Signed by Flagg. Rare green 5 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp with tied cancel. Lith. Britton & Co. Flagg was one of the first trustees of the Virginia City Water Company. He was also a Territorial Senator from Storey County. Flagg ran the Maynard & Flood Bank when Maynard retired to Massachusetts a rich man. 2) Bank of California, Gold Hill, 1876 check. Red print. Issued to Timothy Kelly. 5 cent adhesive IR stamp. Timothy Kelly is listed as mill hand for the Merrimac Mill in the Virginia & Truckee Railroad 1873 Directory. 3) Maynard & Flood, Imperial Silver Mining Company, check issued in 1863 (territorial). Signed by Giles Gray. 2 cent adhesive revenue stamp. Date: 1863-1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4146 - BACON MILL CHECK COLLECTION, ALL SIGNED BY MACKAY OR FAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155491]

Lot of 6: 2 Mackay signatures and 4 Fair signatures. The Bacon Mill was located in Silver City at the intersection of Gold Canyon and American Ravine. It was built in 1862. In 1865, it was processing ore from the Bacon Mine in Gold Hill. By 1868, it was controlled by William Sharon and the Bank of California. In 1869, Fair and Mackay bought it to process Hale & Norcross mine ore. In 1871, it was reported to have 20 stamps and a 40 ton daily capacity. [Ansari]. 1-2) Pair with RN-C21 imprinted revenues. 1871 issued to Mercer & Tucker (Gold Hill merchant), signed by John Mackay with addition of NV adhesive revenue stamp. 1871 issued to JB Williams, signed by James G. Fair, soiling. 3-4) Pair of checks with RN-E7 imprinted revenues. Both issued in 1873 to Mercer & Tucker. One signed by Mackay, and the other by Fair. 5) 1870 Bank of California check, NV 2 cent and US IR adhesive revenue stamps. Issued to Derby & Garhart (VC stable and livery), signed by Fair. 6) 1874 Bank of California, RN-D, issued to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company, signed by James G. Fair. Nice collection! Date: 1870-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4147 - BEST & BELCHER MINING COMPANY CHECK GROUP, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155502]

Lot of 3. The Best & Belcher was located in Virginia City and staked in 1859. The name is for the two men who purchased the claim from Henry Comstock and then sold it soon after. It was located between the Gould & Curry and Consolidated Virginia mines. It never paid any dividends. 1) Nevada Bank of San Francisco, Virginia, Nev. 1877. Company logo in blue on left border. Lith. Britton, Rey & Co., SF. Issued to James Wrinkle. Signed by supt. FF Osbiston. RN-G. 2) Same design as previous. Issued in 1879 to the Osbiston Shaft. Signed by HH Penoyer as supt. The Osbiston Shaft was located near the Gould & Curry and was an attempt to intersect the lode at great depth. The Best & Belcher and Gould & Curry mines worked together on it. In the 1880s, it reached a depth of 2,500 ft. 3) Wells Fargo & Union Trust Co. check issued in 1930 to General Motors. Date: 1877-1930 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4148 - CALIFORNIA MILL REVENUE CHECKS SIGNED BY MACKAY & FAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163917]

Lot of 2. Bank of California, RN-D imprinted revenue. Blue print, on form for Consolidated Mill, with "California" written in ink. The California Mill was a large reduction mill built in Virginia City in the mid-1870s by the Bonanza Firm-controlled Pacific Mill & Mining Company to process "Bonanza" ores from the Con. Virginia and California mines. It was located near the C&C Shaft. It had 80 stamps, 46 pans, 20 settlers, and could reduce 380 tons per day. [Ref: Ansari] 1) No. 666, issued to the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. Signed by mining millionaire John Mackay. 2) No. 732, issued to Waters & Treat. Signed by mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. Date: 1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4149 - CARSON & TAHOE FLUMING CO. CHECK GROUP (MINE LUMBER FOR THE COMSTOCK) [155504]

Lot of 5. The Carson and Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company was owned and operated by D.L. Bliss, Henry Yerington, D.O. Mills, and J.A. Rigby. Founded in 1872, it was the largest lumber operation servicing the Comstock. The company mostly operated out of Glenbrook (Lake Tahoe), utilizing a flume system to transport the wood to Carson. They owned up to 50,000 acres of land, two steamers, three mills, logging camps, locomotives, and a narrow gauge railroad. They eventually bought up other Tahoe lumber companies including the Hobart Estate, Nevada Lumber Company, and more. With the waning of the Comstock mining industry, DL Bliss shifted focus in the 1890s to the Tahoe tourism industry. The company was dissolved in 1947. 1) 1874 Bank of California check, red print, RN-D4, issued to Pay Roll, signed by DL Bliss. 2) 1878 Bank of California check, red print, RN-G1, issued to Yellow Jacket MC, signed by DL Bliss. 3) 1876 check to MC Gardiner, signed by DL Bliss for the company. 4) 1898 pink Bank of California check issued to German Savings & Loan, signed by Bliss. 5) 1878 Bank of California check issued to Bliss, signed by Bliss. All checks have Virginia City datelines. Date: 1874-1898 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4150 - CHOLLAR-NORCROSS-SAVAGE SHAFT CO. CHECK TRIO, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163905]

Lot of 3. 1) Bank of California. Dateline Virginia, Nev. No. 1494, issued in 1877. Signed by famous mine supt. Isaac Requa. RN-G imprinted revenue. Punch hole, spindle cancel, and toning/soiling. 2) 1878 check of same type, this one issued to Reynolds and signed by B. Gilman for supt. Punch hole, spindle cancel. 3) 1884 check, also signed by Requa as supt. No imprinted revenue. Punch hole and spindle cancel. Creases, toning. This shaft, also known as the Combination Shaft, was once the largest and deepest mining shaft in the US. The Chollar-Potosi, Savage, and Hale & Norcross mines combined their efforts in the mid-1870s and sunk this 4-compartment shaft located southeast of the Chollar Mine. In 1886, the shaft reached an astonishing depth of 3,250 ft. Flooding was such a big problem that they had to install 3 pumps and eventually cease operations at the lower levels. Within 36 hours of not pumping, the water had filled the shaft to the 2400-ft-level. [Ref: Ansari] Date: 1877-1884 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4151 - RAREST NEVADA REVENUE CHECK: CHOLLAR POTOSI MINING CO. W/ VIOLET NEVADA STAMP [155499]

This is the Holy Grail for Nevada check and RN collectors! Chollar Potosi Mining Company Check, Virginia City, Nevada with RN-B17d, the rarest of the Nevada imprinted revenues. This check was issued in Dec. 1869 and is signed by Isaac Requa as superintendent. Violet 2 cent Nevada stamp on the left border and RN-B imprinted revenue at center. Lith. Britton & Rey, SF. Some stains, fading of the ink. There are only a handful (perhaps 4) of these known. We have only offered one of these over the past 10 years. This will be the crown jewel of your Nevada/Comstock check collection! The Chollar & Potosi were located in southeast Virginia City adjacent to the Hale & Norcross. The two fought in court when the Chollar claimed the Potosi had staked land on their claim. The lawsuit ended in a merging of the two companies in 1865. They later split apart again in the late 1870s. Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4152 - CHOLLAR POTOSI MINING COMPANY REVENUE CHECK, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155500]

Rare. Bank of California, dateline Virginia, Nev., July 2, 1875. Issued to N. Frederick for $120. Signed by noted mining superintendent Isaac Requa. RN-D1 imprinted revenue. Purple allegorical vignette. Lith. Britton, Rey & Co. Spindle cancel. Nice, clean example. The Chollar & Potosi were located in southeast Virginia City adjacent to the Hale & Norcross. The two fought in court when the Chollar claimed the Potosi had staked land on their claim. The lawsuit ended in a merging of the two companies in 1865. They later split apart again in the late 1870s. Date: 1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4153 - CONSOLIDATED CALIFORNIA & VIRGINIA MINING COMPANY CHECK GROUP [155501]

Lot of 8. The California and Con. Virginia mines, located in Virginia City, were the first and second largest producers on the Comstock Lode. Fair, Mackay, Flood, & O'Brien quietly bought up the stock to the Con. Virginia in the early 1870s. It turned out big for them with the spectacular Bonanza Discovery in 1873. 1-2) Consolidated California and Virginia Mining Company. Nevada Bank of SF. Two checks, slightly different, issued in 1886 and 1892, signed by Patton as supt. (1886) and DB Lyman (1892). 3-4) Bank of California check pair. Slightly different. Both issued in 1898 and signed by DB Lyman as superintendent. 5) 1900 check with RN-X. Signed by Jos. Ryan as supt. 6-7) Con. Virginia Mining Company pair. Bank of California. Issued in 1907 and 1913, both signed by TF McCormick as supt. 8) World War II-era check issued in 1942 to the Nevada Industrial Commission. Signed by Kendall. Date: 1886-1942 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4154 - CONSOLIDATED MILL REVENUE CHECK GROUP, MACKAY & FAIR [155494]

Lot of 3. All 3 are the same form, Bank of California, blue print, and RN-D imprinted revenue. The Consolidated (Virginia) Mill was a large reduction mill owned by the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. (Mackay, Fair, Flood, & O'Brien) and located near the Virginia & Truckee Railroad yard. It had 60 stamps, 40 pans, 20 settlers, and 4 agitators. It was destroyed by the Oct. 1875 VC fire and rebuilt (Ansari). 1) No. 605, issued to DW Klein in 1875. Signed by John Mackay. Folds, soiling. 2) No. 562, issued in 1875 to Wm. Smith. Signed by James G. Fair. Soiling. 3) Unissued example. Date: 1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4155 - EAGLE SALT WORKS REVENUE CHECK PAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA, INCL. FAIR SIGNATURE [155518]

Lot of 2. Rare. The Eagle Salt Works deposits were discovered in 1869 by B.F. Leete in Churchill County, Nevada, 15 miles east of Wadsworth. Salt was an important component in the milling process of Comstock ores. 1) Nevada Bank of San Francisco, 1878, issued to Maine & Winchester. Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. RN-F. Purple stamp "Eagle Salt Works" on left border. Some soiling. Maine & Winchester were a big and important saddlery business in San Francisco. 2) Check on same form, issued in 1878 to AL Bancroft & Co. Signed for James Fair by Patton. Soiling. Bancroft was an important publisher of books and maps. Date: 1878 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4156 - VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA TERRITORY EMPIRE MINING CO. CHECK ISSUED TO SH MARLETTE [163894]

Green print Wells Fargo & Co. check issued in 1862 to SH Marlette by the Empire Mill & Mining Co., RN Graves supt. Stamped paid. SH Marlette was surveyor general of California in the 1850s. In 1860, he was the County Surveyor for Carson County, Nevada. From 1864-1869, he was the Surveyor General of Nevada. He was also involved in the Tahoe/Comstock lumber and fluming operations. Marlette Lake, the source of Virginia City's water to this day, is named for him. Date: 1862 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4157 - GENOA FLUMING COMPANY REVENUE CHECK (COMSTOCK LUMBER) [163919]

Wells Fargo Bank. Check #323 issued for $111.49 in 1876 to Jos. O'Keefe. Signed for the company by JMH. RN-D imprinted revenue. According to the Carson Valley News (Nov. 31, 1876), "The Genoa Flume Co. have done Genoa Canyon. They commenced operations three years ago, and during the intervening time have flumed 52,700 cords of wood from that mountain gorge down the Carson river to Empire." Wood was milled at Empire and then shipped up for use in the mines at Virginia City & Gold Hill. Rare. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4158 - GOULD & CURRY SILVER MINING CHECK SIGNED BY DEIDESHEIMER [155506]

One of the most sought-after Comstock autographs. Bank of California check with green print, RN-B imprinted revenue (center) and green 2 cent NV stamp in border. Dateline Virginia, May 3rd, 1870. Issued to Jno. Rourke for $120. Signed by Philipp Deidesheimer. Spindle cancel repaired. Some stains on reverse. Deidesheimer was a brilliant German engineer who solved a problem plaguing the Comstock mines. Larger cavities were not stable due to the soft nature of the Comstock rock. In 1860, while working for the Ophir mine, Deidesheimer created the square-set timber system which essentially made the timbers interlock into cubes. The design was so ingenious it was adopted elsewhere in the mining world. Deidesheimer did not patent his invention. Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4159 - GOULD & CURRY SILVER MINING CO. CHECK PAIR, MACKAY & FAIR, "BUFF" RNS [163909]

Lot of 2. Both are Bank of California checks with "buff" RN-D imprinted revenue stamps, a rarer variety. 1) No. 2510, issued in 1874 to Wm. McDunhugh. Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire John Mackay. Reverse has glue residue. Spindle cancel. 2) No. 2553, issued in 1874 to JC Wasel & Co. Signed by Bonana King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. Spindle cancel. Date: 1874 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4160 - GOULD & CURRY SILVER MINING COMPANY CHECK COLLECTION [155507]

Lot of 16. This very impressive group covers many different superintendents (incl. Mackay and Fair), check types, and imprinted revenues. It would take a long time to assemble a group like this! The Gould & Curry is one of the most famous mines on the Comstock Lode. Located between the Savage and Best & Belcher mines, it was staked in 1859 after being located by Alva Gould and Abraham Curry. They sold out early and Curry went on to be a central figure in Carson City (he was the first superintendent of the Carson City Mint and the first warden of Nevada State Prison). When the company was incorporated in 1860, George Hearst was one of the incorporator and William C. Ralston was treasurer. The mine was a large producer in the early 1860s and the company erected an incredibly expensive mill in Sevenmile Canyon in 1863. Between 1860-81, production was 314,000 tons yielding over $15 million. 1) Dec. 1864 check signed by Charles Bonner, with 2 cent US IR stamp. 2) 1866 check signed by Louis Janin Jr., issued to the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co. NV and US IR adhesive revenue stamps. 3) 1868 "dripping letters" check signed by David Bowie as supt. NV and US IR stamps. 4) 1869 "dripping letters" check signed by Isaac Requa, NV and US IR stamps. 5-6) 1870 and 1871 checks signed by CC Batterman, one with RN-C21b, the other RN-B17b. 7) 1870 check signed by Requa, RN-B. Issued to Joseph T. Goodman, editor of the famous Territorial Enterprise. 8) 1871 check signed by Batterman, RN-C plus 2 cent NV adhesive stamp. 9) 1873 check signed by James G. Fair. RN-D. 10) 1875 check signed by John Mackay. RN-D. Rare. 11) 1874 signed by James Fair, buff RN-D. 12) 1872 check signed by Batterman, RN-E. 13) Nevada Bank of SF, 1876 check signed by Fair, blue print, RN-G. Rare. 14) Same type as previous but signed by Osbiston as supt. 15) Brown form of the Nevada Bank of SF check, 1879, signed by Osbiston. RN-G. 16) Sheet of 4 unused 1860s company drafts, purple print. Rare. Date: 1864-1879 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4161 - HALE & NORCROSS SILVER MINING CO. CHECK ISSUED TO ASSAYER LEOPOLD KUH, VIRGINIA CITY [155509]

Very rare! Dateline Virginia, Nev., March 2nd, 1867. No. 1390. Pay $24 to L. Kuh. Signed by C.C. Thomas as superintendent. Orange Nevada and US IR stamps attached at left. Not endorsed. Folds and cut cancel. L(eopold) Kuh was a well-known assayer in Virginia City during the 1860's. Kuh was born in Hungary in 1817. He came to California during the Gold Rush and got his start at the San Francisco Mint about 1856. By 1859, he had his own gold refinery in partnership with Henry Fisher, which grew to a three person partnership the next year known as Kuh & Co. Early shipments of Comstock ore were sent to San Francisco in the fall and winter of 1859 and into 1860. The ores were so rich that most mining men fled to the Comstock and created the "Rush to Washoe." Kuh followed suit. He was hired by one of the Comstock mining companies in 1861, and went to work for the Central Mining Co. The Central's two claims were right next to the Ophir claim, along with the Kinney claim. These three claims later became known as the California Mine, which went on to be the largest producer on the Comstock, at $64.6 million through 1905. While there, Kuh learned and refined milling and metallurgical practices to extract the Comstock gold and silver ores. In 1863, Kuh struck out on his own, opening an independent assay office and metallurgical consulting firm, and located his office located near the Ophir Mine's office. Kuh kept an active office in Virginia City until 1869, when he returned to San Francisco, where he worked until he died in 1886. C.C. Thomas went on to become the superintendent of the Sutro Tunnel Company. Date: 1867 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4162 - HALE & NORCROSS SILVER MINING CO. CHECK GROUP, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155508]

Lot of 3 different. The Hale & Norcross Mine was staked in 1859 and located between the Savage and Chollar Mines. In the early 1860s, a 3 compartment shaft was sunk to explore the property at greater depths. In 1868, William Sharon controversially elected a board of directors, but the mine wasn't successful that year. James G. Fair saw an opportunity, and convinced John Mackay and James Flood that the property was a worthy one to pursue. They secretly bought up shares and wrestled control of the mine away from Sharon and the Bank of California in 1869. This was the first large move by the Bonanza Firm; they would go on to make millions with the Bid Bonanza discovery in 1873. Flood became president and Fair was elected superintendent, and the mine prospered under their management. In the 1870s, the Hale & Norcross joined forces with the Chollar-Potosi and Savage mines to sink the Combination Shaft which reached over 3,000 ft. in depth. 1) 1870 check with RN-B17b imprinted revenue. Issued to P. Nevin. Signed by John Mackay as supt. Very rare. Tape repaired spindle cancel. 2) 1867 curving letters check signed by CC Thomas as supt. He would go on to manage the Sutro Tunnel. Check has Nevada and US IR stamps. Missing lower right corner. Very rare. 3) Unissued 1880s check, Wells Fargo & Co., purple print. Date: 1867-1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4163 - HOOSIER STATE MILL CHECK PAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155493]

Lot of 2 different. The Hoosier State Mill was located in Virginia City on Silver Street between G and H Streets and built in 1862. In the early 1870s, it had 18 stamps and was processing ore from the Savage Mine (Ansari). 1) Very rare Bank of California check, RN-D1, purple print. Issued in 1874 to the Fulton Foundry. Signed by mining millionaire John Mackay. Spindle cancel. Some toning/staining. 2) Bank of California check with manuscript "Hoosier State Mille" on signature line. Issued to Patrick Kelly in 1873. 2 cent US IR stamp. Signed by Lowell. Spindle cancel. Date: 1873-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4164 - IMPERIAL SILVER MINING COMPANY CHECK GROUP, COMSTOCK [155505]

Lot of 4. The Imperial Mine was a productive Gold Hill property located between the Challenge and Rice mines. Up to 1876, it had produced 232,000 tons, yielding approx. $5,444,00. In 1876, it was absorbed by the Consolidated Imperial. [Ref: Ansari] 1) 1866 Gold Hill, Bank of California, check with green print. Signed by Buckminster as supt. 2 cent adhesive US IR stamp in lower left corner. Toning. 2) Bank of California, Virginia, Nev., 1872. Rare check with RN-C21b imprinted revenue. Issued to E. Jones, signed by R. Graves as supt. Toning. 3-4) Two Bank of California, Virginia, Nev. checks with RN-D1 imprinted revenues. One issued in 1876, signed by Batterman as supt., with "Con" handwritten in front of Imperial; stain on border. The other is issued in 1877, signed by Wm. Hardy as supt.; stain/soiling in corner. Nice group! Date: 1866-77 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Gold Hill Provenance:

Lot: 4165 - MARIPOSA MILL COMPANY REVENUE CHECK PAIR, MACKAY & FAIR SIGNATURES [163913]

Lot of 2. Both with rare imprinted revenue B16a. Key autograph pair of two (Mackay & Fair) of the four "Bonanza Kings." The Mariposa Mill was located at the head of Sevenmile Canyon, south of the Sierra Nevada Mine, and north of Virginia City. Kelley reports on it in 1862. By 1867, the Bank of California/William Sharon ring owned it and it was called the California Mill. In 1871-72, it was again known as the Mariposa Mill and was processing ore from the Hale & Norcross. [Ref: Ansari] 1) Check no. 263, issued in 1870 to William Tooney. Signed by millionaire John Mackay. 2) Check no. 25, issued to Mark Strouse (VC grocer) in 1870. Signed by millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. Nice pair in good condition. Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4166 - MARIPOSA MILL REVENUE CHECK COLLECTION, ALL SIGNED BY EITHER MACKAY OR FAIR [163914]

Lot of 8: 4 different pairs of Mackay/Fair signatures. John Mackay and James G. Fair were two of the four millionaire members of the "Bonanza Firm," the mining group that took control of the Comstock in the 1870s with the help of the Big Bonanza discovery. Mackay was a well respected mining superintendent. Fair was also a US Senator. This is a fantastic group! The Mariposa Mill was located at the head of Sevenmile Canyon, south of the Sierra Nevada Mine, and north of Virginia City. Kelley reports on it in 1862. By 1867, the Bank of California/William Sharon ring owned it and it was called the California Mill. In 1871-72, it was again known as the Mariposa Mill and was processing ore from the Hale & Norcross. By 1873, it was under the control of Mackay & Fair. [Ref: Ansari] 1) Pair of checks with rare imprinted revenue RN-B16a. a) No. 279, issued to Mark Strouse (VC grocer) in 1870, signed by Mackay. b) No. 213, issued to WH Williams in 1870, signed by Fair. 2) RN-E pair: 1873 issued to E. Johnson, signed by Mackay; and 1872 issued to AB Thompson, signed by Fair. 3) RN-D pair: 1874 check issued by Mackay to himself; and 1874 check to Doake, Hobart & Co., signed by Fair. 4) RN-C pair: 1871 issued to AA Savage, signed by Fair; and 1871 issued to DH Bisbee, signed by Mackay, 2 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp also loosely attached, soiling. Please inspect! Date: 1870-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4167 - MORGAN MILL REVENUE CHECK PAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, INCL. MACKAY SIGNATURE [163911]

Lot of 2. Both are Morgan Mill, Nevada Bank of San Francisco, printed checks with light purple Pacific Mill & Mining Co. stamps. 1) 1879 check issued to JP Smith (hardware merchant). Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire John Mackay. RN-G. Spindle cancel, folds. 2) 1880 check to the Lyon County Tax Collector. Signed by supt. Patton. RN-G. Spindle cancel. The Morgan Mill was a Carson River mill located just east of Empire City. It was built to process ore from the Yellow Jacket Mine in Gold Hill. In the 1870s, it had 40 stamps and a 75-ton capacity. By the early 1880s, it was operating as a tailings mill. It was one of the many mills taken over by the Pacific Mill & Mining Company, formed by the Bonanza Kings to consolidate milling and mining interests after the Big Bonanza discovery. [Ref: Ansari] Date: 1879-1880 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4168 - OCCIDENTAL MILL CHECKS SIGNED BY JAMES G. FAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155515]

Lot of 2 different. The Occidental Mill was associated with the Occidental Mine, located 1.25 miles east of Gold Hill. The mill was built in 1870, 1/4 mile south of the Occidental Shaft. In 1871-72, it had 20 stamps and a 50-ton-a-day capacity. (Ansari) 1) No. 195, issued to GH Mallard (VC paint merchant) in 1872 for $10. Signed by James G. Fair. Rare RN-C21b imprinted revenue. Fair was one of the four "Bonanza King" mining millionaires and also served as a US Senator. 2) 1871 Bank of California check issued to RH Crocker ( a stock dealer in VC). Manuscript "Occidental Mill" next to signature line. Signed by Fair. Heavy stains/soiling. Date: 1871-72 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4169 - OPHIR MILL / WS HOBART REVENUE CHECK PAIR SIGNED BY MACKAY & FAIR [163912]

Lot of 2. Rare. This Ophir Mill was sometimes referred to as the New Ophir Mill to distinguish it from the 1860s mill located in Washoe Valley. This later Ophir Mill was located on the Carson River. It was owned by the Ophir Mining Company. In the 1860s, it was processing Yellow Jacket ore. In 1868, the New Ophir Mill was owned by William Sharon and the Bank of California. From 1872-83, it was owned by Mackay and Fair and processed tailings. [Ref: Ansari] 1) No. 502, issued to Chadderton (who was the mill supt.) in 1872. Signed by John Mackay. Rare RN-B16a imprinted revenue. 2) No. 517, issued in 1872 to the Golden State Iron Works. Signed by James G. Fair. Nice pair in very good condition. Date: 1872 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4170 - OPHIR MINING CO. CHECK COLLECTION, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163903]

Lot of 7. The Ophir Mine is one of the oldest claims on the Comstock and the discovery site for the Virginia City branch of the lode. It was located at the north end of Virginia City between the Mexican and California mines and discovered by McLaughlin & O'Riley. 1) Nevada Bank of SF (handwritten over Bank of California), RN-G, issued in 1878 for "checks." Signed by James G. Fair, mining millionaire and US Senator. Stain in upper left corner. Spindle cancel. Very rare. 2) Nevada Bank of SF, RN-G, issued in 1879 for Pay Roll. Signed by supt. Patton. Light stains. Spindle cancel. 3) Five post-1900 checks (4 different). Includes: 1900 (RN-X, signed by Ross); 1901 (signed by Ross); 1904 (signed by Ryan); and 1912 & 1913 (signed by McCormick). Great collection for this important mine! Date: 1878-1913 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4171 - PACIFIC MILL & MINING CO. CHECK COLLECTION INCL. MACKAY & FAIR SIGNATURES [163916]

Lot of 4. 1) Rare 1874 Bank of California check issued to the Carson Wood Company, signed by Fair. Manuscript "Pac. M&M Co." written next to signature line. 2-3) Pair of Bank of California checks with green print and RN-D. Both issued in 1875. One is signed by John Mackay, and the other is signed by Fair. The Mackay signature on this check is rare. 4) Bank of California check with RN-C21b, unissued. Occidental Mill check with that crossed out and "Pac. Mill & Mng Co." written in ink below the RN. Rare RN. The company took over the Occidental Mill along with about a dozen others. The Pacific Mill & Mining Company was established by the "Bonanza Firm" (Mackay, Fair, Flood, and O'Brien) in the 1870s. The Bonanza Firm challenged the broad control Ralston and Sharon exercised over the Comstock Mines, backed by the Bank of California, by joining their finances in various stock operations and transactions, leading to the formation of a new group of mining corporations. These included Hale & Norcross, Gould & Curry, Consolidated Virginia, and others. In their campaign against the Bank Crowd, the Bonanza Firm adopted tactics similar to those Ralston, Sharon and the Bank of California used the previous decade to gain control over the Comstock. They purchased all the major mine suppliers, and in 1877 the group established an "independent" mill, the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, which was wholly owned by the "Bonanza Firm" and incorporated under the Laws of California. The company owned a number of other mills in the Comstock area including the Bacon Mill, Brunswick Mill, California Mill, California Pan Mill, Consolidated Mill, Mariposa Mill, Morgan Mill, Occidental Mill, Omega Mill, Rhode Island Mill, Trench Mill, and the Woodworth Mill/Ditch. Later, the Bonanza Firm successfully defended monopoly accusations and shareholders claims of fraud involving the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, by arguing that their business practices represented "industry custom." Date: 1874-77 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4172 - PACIFIC MILL & MINING CO. REVENUE CHECK PAIR SIGNED BY MACKAY & FAIR [163898]

Lot of 2. Each is on the check form with green print and RN-D imprinted revenue. 1) No. 131, issued to the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co. in 1875. Signed by John Mackay. Rare to see Mackay's signature on this check type. 2) No. 883, issued to Derby & Gerhart in 1875. Signed by James G. Fair. Both checks have light stains. The Pacific Mill & Mining Company was established by the "Bonanza Firm" in the 1870s - a partnership formed by Irish immigrants, John W. Mackay, James G. Fair, James C. Flood, and William S. O'Brien, men who later became known as the "Silver Kings" or "Bonanza Kings" of the Comstock. The Bonanza Firm challenged the broad control Ralston and Sharon exercised over the Comstock Mines, backed by the Bank of California, by joining their finances in various stock operations and transactions, leading to the formation of a new group of mining corporations. These included Hale & Norcross, Gould & Curry, Consolidated Virginia, and others. In their campaign against the "Comstock Bankers" the Bonanza Firm adopted tactics similar to those Ralston, Sharon and the Bank of California used the previous decade to gain control over the Comstock; The Bonanza Firm purchased all the major mine suppliers, and in 1877 the group established an "independent" mill, the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, which was wholly owned by the "Bonanza Firm" and incorporated under the Laws of California. The company owned a number of other mills in the Comstock area including the Bacon Mill, Brunswick Mill, California Mill, California Pan Mill, Consolidated Mill, Mariposa Mill, Morgan Mill, Occidental Mill, Omega Mill, Rhode Island Mill, Trench Mill, and the Woodworth Mill/Ditch. Later, the Bonanza Firm successfully defended monopoly accusations and shareholders claims of fraud involving the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, by arguing that their business practices represented "industry custom." Date: 1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4173 - PACIFIC MILL & MINING COMPANY REVENUE CHECK TRIO, MACKAY & FAIR [155492]

Lot of 3. 1) Nevada Bank of SF, 1877, Bacon Mill printed form with purple Pacific Mill & Mining Co. stamp. RN-G. Issued to Jas. Kennedy, signed by Bonanza King John Mackay. 2) Another Bacon Mill with purple stamp, 1878, issued to the Storey County Tax Collector for poll taxes. Signed by Bonanza King & US Senator James G. Fair. RN-G. 3) 1877 Nevada Bank of SF check issued to Collins & Co. Signed by Fair. RN-G. The Pacific Mill & Mining Company was established by the "Bonanza Firm" (Mackay, Fair, Flood, and O'Brien) in the 1870s. The Bonanza Firm challenged the broad control Ralston and Sharon exercised over the Comstock Mines, backed by the Bank of California, by joining their finances in various stock operations and transactions, leading to the formation of a new group of mining corporations. These included Hale & Norcross, Gould & Curry, Consolidated Virginia, and others. In their campaign against the Bank Crowd, the Bonanza Firm adopted tactics similar to those Ralston, Sharon and the Bank of California used the previous decade to gain control over the Comstock. They purchased all the major mine suppliers, and in 1877 the group established an "independent" mill, the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, which was wholly owned by the "Bonanza Firm" and incorporated under the Laws of California. The company owned a number of other mills in the Comstock area including the Bacon Mill, Brunswick Mill, California Mill, California Pan Mill, Consolidated Mill, Mariposa Mill, Morgan Mill, Occidental Mill, Omega Mill, Rhode Island Mill, Trench Mill, and the Woodworth Mill/Ditch. Later, the Bonanza Firm successfully defended monopoly accusations and shareholders claims of fraud involving the Pacific Mill and Mining Company, by arguing that their business practices represented "industry custom." Date: 1877-78 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4174 - PACIFIC WOOD, LUMBER & FLUME CO. REVENUE CHECK SIGNED BY JOHN MACKAY [163901]

Rare Nevada Bank of San Francisco check with "Pacific Wood L & F Co." written in purple ink in the upper left corner. RN-F1 imprinted revenue. Issued in 1876 to Frank Taradid. Signed by Comstock mining millionaire John Mackay. Spindle cancel. Some staining, adhesive revenue on reverse. The Pacific Wood, Lumber & Fluming Company was owned by two of the Bonanza Firm, Mackay and Fair. The Pacific Wood, Lumber, and Flume Company flumed lumber to Huffakers, seven miles from downtown Reno, where the V&T then took it to the Comstock. The PWLFC owned more than 3,000 acres of timberland in 1877 and reportedly cut 25,000 feet daily between 1874 and 1877. The company had 120 Chinese piling and loading wood at its flume terminus at Huffakers. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4175 - SACRAMENTO MILL, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA CHECK SIGNED BY JAMES G. FAIR, "BUFF" RN [163897]

Dateline Virginia, Nev., June 3rd, 1874. Issued to WC Madden for $85. Signed by Comstock mining millionaire (and US Senator) James G. Fair. Rare "buff" RN-D imprinted revenue, not listed in Castenholtz. Spindle cancel, some soiling. According to Ansari, the Sacramento Mill was located in Gold Canyon above Johntown and below the Excelsior Mill. It shows up on Bancroft's 1862 map. In the mid-1860s, it was processing ore from the Belcher Mine. In the 1870s, it had 12 stamps and a 25-ton capacity. Date: 1874 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4176 - SAPPHIRE MILL CHECK COLLECTION, WS HOBART, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163918]

Lot of 4 different. The Sapphire Mill was built in the early 1860s and was located 1/4 mile below Gold Hill. It was originally known as JB Gagnon & Co.'s Mill. In the 1870s, it had 15 stamps and a 40-ton daily capacity and was processing ore from the Crown Point Mine. It was one of a few mills owned by WS Hobart. Hobart was heavily involved with numerous logging operations at Lake Tahoe that fed the Comstock's need for lumber, including the Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Co. (which eventually relocated from Crystal Bay at Tahoe to Hobart Mills near Truckee), the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co., and numerous mining projects. 1) 1867 Bank of California check. Lists Nevada, Sapphire and Atlas Mills, though "Nevada" and "Atlas" are crossed out. Issued to and signed by WS Hobart. Orange 2 cent NV adhesive revenue stamp. 2) 1874 Bank of California. RN-D. Issued to Robert Young. Young is listed as a horse clipper in the 1873 V&T Directory. Signed for Hobart by Raymond. 3) 1870 Bank of California, RN-B plus US IR adhesive revenue stamp. Issued to Thomas Cain. Cain is listed as a miner for the Gould & Curry Mine in the V&T 1873 Directory. Signed by for WS Hobart by Raymond. 4) 1871 Bank of California, RN-B17b. Issued to C. Derby. Signed for Hobart by Raymond. Date: 1867-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4177 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY CHECK COLLECTION, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163915]

Lot of 16. This group includes nearly every Savage check variety out there, including revenue types and superintendent signatures. The Savage Mine was staked in 1859 by AO and Leonard C. Savage. It was located on middle part of the Comstock Lode between the Hale & Norcross and Gould & Curry mines. The North Potosi and Birdsall Company's claims were annexed by the Savage as the result of a lawsuit. The Savage Mine was a great early producer during the late 1860s. In 1869, it was producing 50-80 tons daily yielding $35-70 per ton. James G. Fair was supt. in the 1870s but resigned. John P. Jones and Alvinza Hayward gained control of the mine in 1871. In the mid 1870s, the Savage joined forces with the Chollar-Potosi and Hale & Norcross to sink the Combination Shaft, which eventually reached a depth of over 3,000 ft. in the 1880s. [Ref: Ansari] 1) Early 1865 check, green print, issued in San Francisco and signed by Thomas Bell as president. Bell was one of the original group that incorporated the Gould & Curry. 2) Red print, unissued, Virginia dateline, 1860s. Has two revenue stamps attached, but we believe this to be a later addition. Rare form. 3) 1875 check, RN-D, signed by James G. Fair. Rare signature on a Savage check! 4) 1875 check, RN-D, signed by Osbiston as supt. 5) 1880 check, RN-G, issued to the company, signed by Kelly as supt. 6) 1876 check, RN-F, signed by Osbiston. 7& 8) 1876 and 1877 checks, RN-G, one issued to the company, both signed by Sam Curtis as supt. 9) 1879 check, RN-G, signed by Gillette as supt. 10) 1890 check signed by Keating as supt. 11 & 12) Two different checks signed by Henry Gorham as supt., 1898 and 1903. 13) 1900 check signed by SS Jones, issued to Gorham. 14-16) Three unissued checks: 1876 RN-G, 1870s with allegorical vignette, and 1880s with red print. Date: 1865-1903 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4178 - SIERRA NEVADA MEXICAN UNION SHAFT CO. CHECK TRIO, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [163906]

Lot of 3. All are Nevada Bank of San Francisco checks. The Sierra Nevada, Mexican, and Union mines were located on the north end of the Comstock. The group was taken over by the Bonanza Kings in the late 1870s. At that time, they installed in it the largest Cornish pump in the world. 1) 1882 check issued to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Signed by supt. McKenzie. RN-G. Endorsed by secretary Thorton on reverse. Green print. Adhesive residue on reverse. 2) 1883 check of same design, issued to JC Hampton & Co. Signed by supt. Lyman. Spindle cancel. 3) 1879 check on form for North Con. Virginia Mining Co., stamped "S.N.M.& U. Co.." Issued to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Signed by supt. Thos. Rooney. Spindle cancel. Endorsed by secretary Thorton. Date: 1879-83 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4179 - SIERRA NEVADA WOOD & LUMBER CO. REVENUE CHECKS, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155490]

Lot of 3. The Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Co. was formed in 1878 by WS Hobart and SH Marlette on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. This company was a lumber supplier for the Comstock mines. The company owned almost ten thousand acres of timber along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe along with a mill at Incline. The project was overseen by J. B. Overton, who also served as Superintendent for the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co. Lumber was transported using steamers, a railroad at Incline, flumes, and then the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Carson. The decline of mining on the Comstock corresponded to a decreased demand for lumber. In 1894 the company sold the dam at Marlette lake to the Carson & Tahoe Lumber Company. The mill and railroad were disassembled and moved five miles north of Truckee alongside Prosser Creek at the site of the new town of Hobart Mills (Overton). 1-2) Two Nevada Bank of San Francisco with light brown print and RN-G imprinted revenues (one is brown by oxidation). Both issued in 1880 and signed by JB Overton. 3) Nevada Bank of San Francisco, purple print, RN-G. Issued in 1881 to A. Campbell. Signed by JB Overton. Date: 1880-1881 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4180 - SUMMIT MILL CHECK COLLECTION, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155503]

Lot of 5. The Summit Mill was located at the north end of Virginia City. In 1866, it was reported as having 20 stamps, 11 Wheeler pans, and a crushing capacity of 35 tons a day. It shutdown in 1870 and was dismantled in 1872 (Ansari). 1-2) Two Bank of California checks with "Summit" printed in the background. One is issued in 1868 and signed by N. Mason as superintendent. The other is issued in 1869 and signed by CB Smith. Both have Nevada and US IR adhesive revenue stamps. 3-5) Three Bank of California checks without underprint; company name written on signature line. Issued 1866-69; one signed by Mason, the other two by Smith. One is issued to HC Kirk & Co., who were druggists in Virginia City. Two have NV and US IR adhesive revenue stamps; the other just has a US IR stamp. Date: 1866-69 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4181 - TRENCH MILL, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA CHECK COLLECTION, ALL SIGNED BY MACKAY OR FAIR [163896]

Lot of 7 incl. 3 John Mackay autographs and 4 James G. Fair autographs. All have either RN of adhesive revenue stamps. Mackay and Fair were the two most important of the four "Bonanza King" mining millionaires who resided on the Comstock (versus Flood & O'Brien being stationed in SF). The Trench Mill was built in 1860 in lower Silver City near the mouth of American Ravine by Erastus Sparrow and Joseph Trench who also owned a mine in Gold Hill. Mackay and Fair purchased it in 1869. In the 1870s, it had 40 stamps and a 20-ton capacity (Ref:Ansari). 1) RN-C, 1871 to M. Morgenthan, signed by Mackay. 2) RN-C, 1872 to AC Moore, signed by Fair. 3) RN-E, 1873 to Lass & Billings, signed by Mackay. 4) RN-E, 1873 to R. Aylevard, signed by Fair. 5) RN-D, 1874 to Klepper Bros., signed by Mackay. 6) 1869 with 2 cent NV adhesive revenue and 2 cent US IR, "T" over printed "F", issued to McDuffie, Hastings & Co., signed by James Fair. 7) Bank of California, 1869, issued to the Bacon Mill. Manuscript Trench Mill next to signature line. Signed by James G. Fair. Nevada and US IR adhesive revenue stamps. Great collection! Date: 1869-1874 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4182 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. REVENUE CHECK SIGNED BY WILLIAM SHARON [155496]

One of the great Comstock check rarities. Only ~5 examples currently known. This check is issued to William Sharon for $50,000 in April 1875 (over $1.3 million today). It is signed by Sharon as president and the secretary (illegible). Signatures are punch cancelled but still intact. Other examples have the signature torn off. This check is also signed on the reverse by Sharon. Red print, RN-D, San Francisco dateline. This check was issued at a critical time for the Bank of California. The Bonanza Firm had wrestled away control of the Comstock that the bank had established in the 1860s. Just 4 months after this check was issued, William Chapman Ralston would be dead, possibly by suicide. All other examples of this check known are also for huge sums of money issued to Sharon, clearly representing an internal reorganization of the company. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. Date: 1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4183 - UTAH MINING CO. REVENUE CHECK SIGNED BY JOHN MACKAY [163904]

Exceptionally rare. No. 178, issued to Wells Fargo & Co. for $10 in 1876. Signed by "Bonanza King" mining millionaire John Mackay as superintendent. Red print, Nevada Bank of San Francisco, RN-G imprinted revenue. Spindle cancel. AL. Bancroft & Co. The Utah Mine was located at the north end of Virginia City in Sevenmile Canyon one mile north of town. It was staked in 1859, lay dormant from the mid-1860s to early 1870s, and then reopened in 1872 after the Crown Point bonanza in Gold Hill. It was worked in the 1880s and early 1890s. [Ref: Ansari] Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4184 - VIRGINIA & TRUCKEE RAILROAD CHECK ISSUED TO MARK HOPKINS, SIGNED BY YERINGTON [163899]

Rare. Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company check No. 1082, issued to treasurer Mark Hopkins for $34,666 dollars in 1876. Signed by HM Yerington as vice president and secretary Thorton. Not signed by Mark Hopkins on reverse (endorsed for him by EW Hopkins). RN-G. Spindle cancel. Mark Hopkins was one of the "Big Four" founders of the Central Pacific Railroad. A Whig and later associated with the Free Soil Party, Hopkins was an abolitionist and an organizer of the Republican Party in California. He died just two years late (1878) in Yuma, Arizona, leaving his $20-40 million estate to be inherited by his wife. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4185 - VIRGINIA & TRUCKEE RAILROAD CHECK PAIR INCL. ISSUED TO MARK HOPKINS, SIGNED BY YERINGTON [163900]

Lot of 2. 1) Rare. Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company check No. 559, issued to treasurer Mark Hopkins for $22,614 dollars in 1876. Signed by HM Yerington as vice president and secretary Thorton. Not signed by Mark Hopkins on reverse (endorsed for him by EW Hopkins). RN-G. Spindle cancel. Mark Hopkins was one of the "Big Four" founders of the Central Pacific Railroad. A Whig and later associated with the Free Soil Party, Hopkins was an abolitionist and an organizer of the Republican Party in California. He died just two years late (1878) in Yuma, Arizona, leaving his $20-40 million estate to be inherited by his wife. 2) 1894 check issued to the First National Bank for $2,604. Signed by HM Yerington as vice president and EB Yerington as secretary. Purple stamp on front for the Bank of California, SF, to pay. Spindle cancel. Date: 1876-94 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4186 - WOODWORTH MILL CHECK GROUP, SIGNED BY MACKAY & FAIR, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155495]

Lot of 4. The Woodworth Mill, built in 1864, was located on the Carson River approx. one mile above Dayton. It was a 24-stamp mill with 12 pans and a 48-ton capacity. In 1871, "Bonanza Kings" James G. Fair and John W. Mackay of the Pacific Mill and Mining Company purchased the mill and began an overhaul under the supervision of S. Fountain. They installed a new turbine wheel of 240 horsepower along with a dozen new pans of the largest scale. In 1874, the mill started crushing 40 tons a day of Silver Hill Mine ore. 1) Bank of California, 1872, issued to the Bacon Mill. Signed by James G. Fair. RN-E. 2) Bank of California, 1872, issued to Derby & Garhart (VC livery). Signed by John Mackay. RN-E. 3) Bank of California, 1874, issued to E. Bittner & Co. (Gold Hill hardware). Signed by Mackay. RN-D. 4) Unissued 1870s example of the RN-D check. Date: 1872-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4187 - HM YERINGTON CHECK GROUP, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [155498]

Lot of 4 different. Henry M. Yerington was involved in mining, land, and lumber interests in Nevada, but is best known for his work with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Carson & Colorado Railroad. He is reported to have been president of sixteen different companies at one time and actively involved in forty. Yerington was a leader in the Republican Party in Nevada and very influential in state politics. 1) 1870 Bank of California check with RN-B17b imprinted revenue. Dateline Virginia, Nev. Signed Yerington & Co. (by Yerington). Issued to Davis & Gillson on account of Zuong Hing. Extremely rare. Yerington & Co. was a lumber company to supply the Comstock mines. It later became Yerington, Bliss, & Company, and then Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming Company. 2) Bank of California personal Yerington check issued in Virginia City in 1874 to Barnert & Love. Signed by Yerington. RN-D (buff?). 3) Wells, Fargo. & Co., Carson, Nevada check for Yerington & Co. Issued in 1874 to the tax collector of Ormsby County. Signed by JMH for Yerington & Co. RN-D. 4) Wells Fargo & Co. Carson, Nevada personal check issued in 1877 to E. Niles. Signed by Yerington. RN-F. Date: 1870-77 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4188 - RARE COMSTOCK FLUMING & LUMBER COMPANY REVENUE CHECKS [163902]

Lot of 3 different. 1) Markleeville Flume Company. Exceptionally rare. Bank of California, purple print, true brown RN-D. Issued in 1874 to John Weise. Signed by HM Yerington (of Virginia & Truckee Railroad fame). Spindle cancel. Incorporated in 1875 by H. M. Yerington, J. W. Haynie and A. J. Ralston. The company's major areas of operation were in Lake Valley, El Dorado County, California; Hope Valley, Alpine County, California; and in Ormsby, Douglas, and Washoe counties, Nevada. 2) El Dorado Wood & Flume Co. Very rare. Issued to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in 1876. Blue print, Wells Fargo, Carson, Nev. dateline. RN-D. Spindle cancel. The company's flume came into the valley at Brown's Station and Washoe City. The company also owned timber lands in Markleeville/Hope Valley. 3) Genoa Fluming Company. Wells Fargo, Carson, Nev. dateline. Issued in 1876. RN-D. Spindle cancel. According to the Carson Valley News (Nov. 31, 1876), "The Genoa Flume Co. have done Genoa Canyon. They commenced operations three years ago, and during the intervening time have flumed 52,700 cords of wood from that mountain gorge down the Carson river to Empire." Wood was milled at Empire and then shipped up for use in the mines at Virginia City & Gold Hill. Date: 1874-76 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4189 - COMSTOCK LUMBER & WATER CHECK GROUP [154794]

Lot of 9 pieces. Lumber for the Comstock mostly came from the Lake Tahoe area. Water for Virginia City was originally sourced locally but eventually supplied by Marlette Lake (above Tahoe) and pumped across the Carson Valley and up onto the lode. 1) Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming Company. a) Check issued in 1877 to Jno. Fox (Carson City merchant). Signed by DL Bliss. RN-G. b) Check issued in 1874 to D. Moores. Signed by Bliss. RN-D. Virginia City datelines for both. Bliss was arguably the most important figure in the Tahoe/Comstock lumber industry and this was the biggest company. Later, he also helped develop Lake Tahoe as a tourist destination by building the Tahoe Tavern, the Lake Tahoe Railroad from Truckee, and outfitting a line of passenger steamers. 2) Virginia & Gold Hill Water Company. Three checks, issued 1897-1902. The latter two have RN-X imprinted revenues. All signed by JB Overton. The Virginia & Gold Hill Water Company was incorporated in the early 1860s, a consolidation of the Virginia Water Co. and Gold Hill Water Co. Reincorporated in 1871 and purchased by W.S. Hobart and the Bonanza Firm (Fair, Mackay, Flood, O'Brien). The new owners had a plan to bring water from the Hobart Creek and Marlette Reservoir area 1,500 feet above Lake Tahoe. They hired Hermann Schussler, a noted hydraulic engineer, who constructed a pipe line from Marlette down to the Washoe Valley and back up the other side to Virginia City in a reverse siphon process. It is still providing water to citizens of Virginia City. Overton was involved in numerous lumber companies. The town of Hobart Mills was originally called Overton. 3) Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Co. Check issued in 1879. Signed by Overton. RN-G. Lumber operation at Lake Tahoe. Eventually moved near Truckee and established Hobart Mills. 4) Yellow Jacket Silver Mining Co. 1893 check issued to the Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co. Signed on back by Overton. 5) Two WS Hobart related pieces. Hobart was a hugely instrumental figure in the Comstock lumber industry. a) Bank of California check, 1869, issued to NC Hall. Signed for Hobart by Hall. Nicely framed and matted with plaque. b) WS Hobart, Nevada Bank of San Francisco, RN-G, issued in 1882 in SF to Chas. Bridge. Signed by Hobart. Date: 1869-1902 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4190 - COMSTOCK CHECK COLLECTION [155512]

Lot of 14, most different. Includes: Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co. (two checks issued in 1866, signed by Louis Janin Jr. as supt, NV and US IR stamps); Sapphire Mill/WS Hobart (RN-D, 1874, signed by for Hobart); Badger Silver Mining Co. (unissued 1870s); Empire Mill & Mining Co. (1866, signed by RN Graves, NV and US IR stamps); Mexican Gold & Silver Mining Co. (1907, signed by McDonell); Yellow Jacket Silver Mining Co. (RN-G, 1883, signed by Eckley and Blauvelt); WS Hobart / Sapphire Mill (1870, RN-B plus US IR, signed by WS Hobart); Imperial SMC (1866, signed by Buckminster as supt., US IR stamp); North Con. Virginia Mining Co. (RN-G, 1879, signed by DH Jackson); Gould & Curry & Best & Belcher Joint Shaft (RN-G, 1880, signed by Penoyer); Union Shaft Co. (RN-G, 1879, signed by Thos. Rooney); Sacramento Mill (RN-D, 1872, signed by James G. Fair); and Ophir Silver Mining Co. (1903, signed by GMM Ross). Great group! Please inspect. Date: 1866-1903 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4191 - THREE DIFFERENT COMSTOCK MINING SHAFT COMPANY CHECKS INCL. GT BROWN LITH. [163907]

Lot of 3 different. These are great examples of how mines combined their efforts in the 1870s-90s to sink shafts and explore the deepest levels of the Comstock Lode. 1) Gould & Curry & Best & Belcher Joint Shaft. Nevada Bank of San Francisco. RN-G. Printed by GT Brown & Co., noted African-American lithographer. Issued to the Pacific Wood, Lumber & Flume Co. Signed by supt. Penoyer. This combination was formed in 1876. 2) Chollar-Norcross-Savage Shaft Co. Issued to HC Heinrichs in 1884. Signed by noted supt. Isaac Requa. Punch hole and spindle cancel. This shaft, also known as the Combination Shaft, was once the deepest mining shaft in the US. It reached 3,250 ft. deep in the mid-1880s. Flooding forced them to abandon the lower levels. 3) Union Shaft Company (ms. over North Con. Virginia Mining Co.). Nevada Bank of SF. RN-G. Issued in 1879 to Wheeler Hall & Co. Signed by supt. Thos. Rooney. The Union Mine was located at the north end of the Comstock Lode. In the late 1870s, the mine was taken over by the Bonanza Firm. They combined efforts with the Sierra Nevada and Mexican mines. Date: 1879-1884 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4192 - SCARCE COMSTOCK REVENUE CHECK GROUP INCL. MACKAY & FAIR SIGNATURES [155510]

Lot of 4. 1) Mariposa Mill Company. Very rare RN-B16a imprinted revenue. Issued in 1870 to NN Humphrey. Signed by "Bonanza King" mining millionaire John Mackay. Tape repaired spindle cancel, toning/soiling. The Mariposa Mill was located at the head of Sevenmile Canyon, south of the Sierra Nevada Mine, and north of Virginia City. Kelley reports on it in 1862. By 1867, the Bank of California/William Sharon ring owned it and it was called the California Mill. In 1871-72, it was again known as the Mariposa Mill and was processing ore from the Hale & Norcross. [Ref: Ansari] 2) Ophir Mill / WS Hobart, Bank of California. RN-B16a. Issued in 1871 to Riley. Signed by Mackay. Some soiling on left border. This Ophir Mill was sometimes referred to as the New Ophir Mill to distinguish it from the 1860s mill located in Washoe Valley. This later Ophir Mill was located on the Carson River. It was owned by the Ophir Mining Company. In the 1860s, it was processing Yellow Jacket ore. In 1868, the New Ophir Mill was owned by William Sharon and the Bank of California. From 1872-83, it was owned by Mackay and Fair and processed tailings. [Ref: Ansari] 3) Sapphire Mill / WS Hobart, Bank of California. RN-B16a. Issued in 1871 to Tyrell & Cummings (owners of Union Iron Works). Signed for Hobart by Raymond. Clean. The Sapphire Mill was built in the early 1860s and was located 1/4 mile below Gold Hill. It was originally known as JB Gagnon & Co.'s Mill. In the 1870s, it had 15 stamps and a 40-ton daily capacity and was processing ore from the Crown Point Mine. It was one of a few mills owned by WS Hobart. 4) Occidental Mill, Bank of California. Issued to AA Savage (who owned a hauling business in VC) in 1874. Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. RN-C21b. The Occidental Mill was built near the Occidental Mine at Gold Hill in 1870. It had 20 stamps and a 50-ton capacity. Date: 1870-74 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4193 - COMSTOCK MINE PAYROLL CHECK COLLECTION [164493]

Lot of 12. Includes: Ophir Mining Co. (rare James G. Fair, 1878, and WH Patton, 1879); Potosi Mining Company (1889); and Savage Mining Co. (numerous supts. incl. ST Curtis, MG Gillette, AC Hamilton, JG Fair, TB Shamp, Chas. Bonner, TJ McClelland, and FF Osbiston, 1866-78). Please inspect. Date: 1866-89 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4194 - RARE JAMES G. FAIR MINING COMPANY PAYCHECKS [164352]

Lot of 2 different. Both issued by Fair as supt. Both rare. 1) Savage Mine, "Assay Office" handwritten. Issued in 1871 to DW Balch for $250 for 30 days work as assayer. Balch was an important Comstock assayer. He was appointed as the first assayer for the new Mint in Carson City. In August 1869 D.W. Balch took the odd step of recommending a friend, Dr. Wesley Jones, for his position but without actually submitting a resignation. He would go on to hold other assay positions: Savage Assay Office, Comstock Assay Office, etc. 2) Ophir Silver Mining Company. 1878. Issued to a miner for 31 days at $4 per day. Red print. Date: 1871-78 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4195 - COMSTOCK MINING SUPERINTENDENT CHECK COLLECTION [155514]

Lot of 11. All have different supt. signatures! All have RNs or adhesive revenue stamps. This is a handpicked group of checks that represent all the great mining supts. on the Comstock. 1) Stateler & Arrington territorial check issued to Ball in 1863, signed by Charles Strong (for the Gould & Curry). Strong was removed due to the excessive costs of the Sevenmile Canyon mill. 2) Dec. 1864 check issued to Desmond, signed by Charles Bonner (for Gould & Curry). Bonner was the namesake of the Bonner Shaft, an 1860s shaft for the G&C to explore lower depths. 3) Gould & Curry Silver MC, "dripping letters" form, 1867, signed by Louis Janin Jr. as supt. Janin was a prominent mining engineer who was educated at the Freiburg School of Mines. Before coming to the Comstock, he worked for the Enriquita Quicksilver Mine near San Jose, California. He began his work on the Comstock at the Mexican Mill and sought to increase silver extraction that was being lost in the slimes and tailings. Using a modified Freiberg barrel amalgamation process, he was successful in profitably re-working the tailings at the Gould & Curry Mill. He was put in charge of the Gould & Curry Mine in 1866, when it was struggling. 4) Hale & Norcross Silver MC, 1867, signed by CC Thomas. Very rare check. Thomas also served as the supt. for the Sutro Tunnel. 5) Empire Mill & Mining Co., 1867, signed by RN Graves. Graves was also president of the Bodie Railroad, which he co-founded with Henry Yerington and Seth & Daniel Cook. Like other Comstock millionaires, Graves made his fortune on the Comstock and then retired in San Francisco. 6) Gould & Curry SMC, RN-B and green NV stamp, 1869, signed by Isaac Requa. Requa was also superintendent of the Chollar Potosi, as well as president of the Central Pacific Railroad. 7) Trench Mill, 1870, signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. One of the four members of the ultra important Bonanza Firm. 8) Gould & Curry SMC, RN-C, 1871, signed by CC Batterman. Batterman was also superintendent of the Imperial SMC and Crown Point, among others. 9) Consolidated Mill, 1875, RN-D, issued to Haynie & Co. (VC lumber), signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire John Mackay, arguably the most respected supt. on the Comstock. 10) Savage Mining Co., RN-F, 1876, signed by Osbiston. He was the namesake of the Osbiston Shaft, owned by the Gould & Curry and Best & Belcher. 11) North Con. Virginia Mining Co., RN-G, 1879, issued to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, signed by DH Jackson. Date: 1863-1879 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4196 - COMSTOCK TERRITORIAL MINING CHECK COLLECTION [163910]

Lot of 5 different. Nevada became a territory in March 1861 and became a state on Oct. 31st, 1864. 1) Very early Sept. 1861 blue Wells Fargo & Co. issued to C. Russel. Signed by RN Graves as supt. for the Empire Mill & Mining Company. These blue checks are the earliest Nevada checks. 2) Green print Wells Fargo & Co. with printed Virginia City designation. Issued in Oct. 1862 to T. Lane. Signed for the Empire Mill & MC by Wilder. 3) Maynard & Flood, Gold Hill, 1863, issued by the Imperial Silver Mining Co. 4) Stateler & Arrington, Virginia City, 1864, issued to Thomas Cashin. Signed by Charles Bonner (for the Gould & Curry). Bold red cancel. 5) Paxton & Thornburgh, unissued, Virginia City, NT dateline. Date: 1861-1864 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4197 - THREE DIFFERENT WELLS FARGO, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA TERRITORY MINING CHECKS [163893]

Lot of 3 different. 1) Very early 1861 blue form (Excelsior Print, SF). Issued to John Smith by RN Graves. At this time, Graves was supt. of the Empire Mill & Mining Co. No city in the dateline, as is common for these blue c.1861 checks, Nevada's earliest checks. 2) Green print with Virginia City designation. Issued in 1862 to Samuel Orr. Also signed by mine supt. Graves. 3) 1864 black print with Virginia City designation. Issued to Tyrell by the Empire Mill & Mining Company, Graves supt. 2 cent US IR stamp. Nice Territorial trio! Date: 1861-64 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4198 - COMSTOCK UNISSUED MINING CHECK COLLECTION [155516]

Lot of 7 different. Even though these are unissued, there are still some rarities here. 1) Brunswick Mill. Sheet of two unissued 1870s checks, RN-G, blue print, Britton & Rey. The Brunswick Mill was located on the north bank of the Carson River, one mile east of Empire. Built in 1864. Purchase by Mackay/Fair Pacific Mill & Mining Co. in 1875 to process Con. Virginia ore. 2) Devil's Gate Mill. Very rare. Bank of California, RN-D, 1870s dateline. Partly filled in and repurposed in 1906 with purple ink. Located at Devil's Gate in Silver City. It had 12 stamps and 24-ton capacity in the 1870s. 3) Juniata Cons. Mining Co. RN-D, 1875. Mine located in Aurora. 4) Haynie & Co., RN-D, 1870s. Lumber merchant in Virginia City. 5) Savage Mining Company. 1880s, Wells Fargo. 6) New York & Washoe Mining Co. RN-B. New York, 1860s dateline. Washoe County mine. 7) Nevada Bank of San Francisco, 1870s, RN-F. Bank was formed by the Bonanza Kings. Date: 1860s-80s Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4199 - TWO COMSTOCK CHECKS WITH TIES TO SALOON OWNERS [155497]

Lot of 2. 1) Very early 1861 Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia City check issued to CR Ahern for $40. We believe this to be Con Ahern, who later was the saloon owner of the famous Crystal Bar. This check is signed by Charles Strong, who would be a superintendent for the Gould & Curry and Savage Mines. 2) Bank of California, Gold Hill, certificate of deposit for JH Thies in 1872. Signed by Blauvelt. There are Thies embossed bottles known to collectors from Reno. Date: 1861-72 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4200 - COMSTOCK MINING CHECK COLLECTION INCL. WILLIAM SHARON RARITY [155511]

Lot of 14. 1) Best is a Union Mill & Mining Company, Bank of California check issued to and signed by William Sharon for $50,000 (over $1 million today) in April 1875. Signature is partially torn off, as is seen in at least half of the current known pieces. Signed on the back by Sharon too (unaffected). There are only about a half dozen of these known! Red print, RN-D, San Francisco dateline. This check was issued at a critical time for the Bank of California. The Bonanza Firm had wrestled away control of the Comstock that the bank had established in the 1860s. Just 4 months after this check was issued, William Chapman Ralston would be dead, possibly by suicide. All other examples of this check known are also for huge sums of money issued to Sharon, clearly representing an internal reorganization of the company. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. 2) Sapphire Mill, WS Hobart check. Issued in 1867 to A Dyer (VC lumber merchant). Signed for Hobart by WC Hall. NV and US IR stamps. 3-5) Three Empire Mille & Mining Company checks signed by RN Graves as supt., issued 1866-67. One is to the Sand Spring Salt Company. All have NV and US IR stamps. One has advertising for a bookstore printed on the reverse. 6-8) Three Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co., Bank of California checks. One issued in 1864, signed by Charles Bonner as supt. The other two issued in 1866, signed by Louis Janin Jr. as supt. 9) Summit Mill check issued in 1866. Signed by supt. Mason. NV and US IR stamps. 10) Blue Bank of California check, RN-G, issued in 1882. Signed by RP Keating (probably for the Savage Mining Co.). 11) Juniata Cons. Mining Company. Unissued (as normal), RN-D, 1875. This has a Virginia City dateline but was actually a mine in Aurora. 12-13) Two Carson City pieces: 1874 Wells Fargo, RN-D, signed by Rice & Peters; and unused 1870s Carson City Savings Bank Duplicate of Exchange in Gold. 14) Bacon Mill, 1870, signed by "Bonanza King" and US Senator James G. Fair. Please inspect. Date: 1864-1882 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4201 - COMSTOCK CHECKS FOR IMPORTANT FIGURES INCL. SHARON, MACKAY, FAIR, HOBART [155519]

Lot of 7 different. 1) Union Mill & Mining Company. One of the great Comstock check rarities. Only 5 examples currently known. This check is issued to William Sharon for $50,000 in April 1875 (over $1.3 million today). It is signed by Sharon as president and the secretary (illegible). Signature is torn off. This check is also signed on the reverse by Sharon. Red print, RN-D, San Francisco dateline. This check was issued at a critical time for the Bank of California. The Bonanza Firm had wrestled away control of the Comstock that the bank had established in the 1860s. Just 4 months after this check was issued, William Chapman Ralston would be dead, possibly by suicide. All other examples of this check known are also for huge sums of money issued to Sharon, clearly representing an internal reorganization of the company. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. 2) Bacon Mill. Bank of California, RN-C. 1871. Issued to Gillig Mott & Co. (famous Gillig mining lanterns). Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire John Mackay. 3) Bacon Mill, Bank of California. Issued in 1870 to the Bank of California. Signed by Bonanza King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. NV and US IR adhesive revenue stamps. 4) Sapphire Mill, Bank of California, 1867. Issued to Charles McCarthy. Signed by WS Hobart, a key figure in the Tahoe/Comstock lumber and water industries. NV and US IR stamps. 5) Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co., Bank of California, 1866. Issued to the Ophir Mining Co. Signed by noted and important supt. Louis Janin Jr. 6) Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co., Bank of California, 1871. Signed by CC Batterman as supt., an important Comstock mining figure. RN-C and NV adhesive revenue stamp. 7) Bank of California, Dec. 1864. Issued to DM Ross. Signed by Charles Bonner (for the Gould & Curry), namesake of the Bonner Shaft and supt. for multiple mines. US IR stamp. Date: 1864-1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4202 - COMSTOCK MILL CHECK COLLECTION INCL. WILLIAM SHARON RARITY [155513]

Lot of 10 different. Fantastic group! 1) Best is a Union Mill & Mining Company, Bank of California check issued to and signed by William Sharon for $50,000 (over $1 million today) in April 1875. Signature is partially torn off, as is seen in at least half of the current known pieces. Signed on the back by Sharon too (unaffected). There are only about a half dozen of these known! Red print, RN-D, San Francisco dateline. This check was issued at a critical time for the Bank of California. The Bonanza Firm had wrestled away control of the Comstock that the bank had established in the 1860s. Just 4 months after this check was issued, William Chapman Ralston would be dead, possibly by suicide. All other examples of this check known are also for huge sums of money issued to Sharon, clearly representing an internal reorganization of the company. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. 2-4) Three different Sapphire Mill / WS Hobart checks. Hobart was a key lumber and water industry figure. a) 1867 check signed by WS Hobart. (Nevada and Atlas crossed out). NV and US IR stamps. b) 1870 check with RN-B and NV adhesive revenue stamp. Issued for taxes on the Lucerne Mine. Signed for Hobart by Osborn. The Lucerne was in Silver City and became part of the Silver Hill group. c) 1874 check, RN-D, signed for Hobart by Raymond. 5) Mariposa Mill Company. 1871 check signed by mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. RN-C. 6-7) Two different Bacon Mill checks. Both issued in 1870 and signed by Fair. One is manuscript and the other is a preprinted form (issued to Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co.). 8) Summit Mill check issued in 1866. Signed by Mason. NV and US IR stamps. 9-10) Two different Empire Mill & Mining Co. checks: one is very early (1862, territorial), signed by Sheldon; the other is 1867 and signed by RN Graves. Please inspect! Date: 1862-1875 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4203 - TWO OF THE EARLIEST VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA TERRITORY CHECKS KNOWN [163895]

Lot of 2 incredibly early Comstock checks. 1) Wells Fargo & Co. check. Dateline Va City, March 11th, 1861. Pay to C.S. $20. Signed by Charles Strong. At this time, Strong was the superintendent of the Gould & Curry Mine. At the start of 1861, Virginia City was part of Utah Territory--Nevada Territory didn't exist until March 2nd, 1861. This check was written only 9 days after Nevada Territory was established! Printed by Excelsior Print, San Francisco. Purple/blue. Pinhole, light soiling, fold lines with separation starting, and a previous collector's stamp (C.O. COLE CO.) on reverse. Stamp not visible on front. This will be the earliest Comstock check in your collection!! 2) Wells Fargo green printed form, Virginia City printed designation. Issued in 1861 to John Hesson for $40, also by Charles Strong (and thus the Gould & Curry MC). Date: 1861 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4204 - EARLIEST KNOWN COMSTOCK LODE MINE DOCUMENT: 1859 OPHIR DIGGINGS, UTAH TERRITORY DEED [164338]

Fantastic & historic! This document dates to the very beginning of the Comstock Lode silver rush. It mentions one of the most important mining claims--the Ophir--and the key early figures (Comstock, McLaughlin, Osborn, Penrod, Walsh), the Comstock's "Founding Fathers." Handwritten deed on blue paper. 6 x 8" Folds, creases. Dateline Ophir Diggings, Utah Territory, U.S. Sept. 17th, 1859. "Know

Lot: 4205 - SPECTACULAR COMSTOCK "WASH-OH!" ILLUSTRATED LETTERSHEET, 1860 [164480]

Exceptionally rare. This exact piece was sold by FH in 2008. There are no known used examples. Baird 328. Drawn and Engraved by TC Boyd, No. 149 Clay Street, SF. "All orders should be addressed to JW Sullivan, San Francisco." Vignette shows a well-dressed prospector/mine investor about to enter a cornucopia with the Devil waiting inside. Behind him is a mining camp with "Washoe Silver" printed. Along the side of the cornucopia are the names of several mines including the Ophir Lead, Comstock Lead, Central Lead, Mexican Lead, and more. The entrance is labelled April 1860. The exit is labelled June 1860, and the prospector crawling out is now disheveled and ragged. 9.25 x 11.75" Folds, light wear. This is perhaps the only Nevada lettersheet, published a year after the initial Comstock discovery. No references were found to the lettersheet in newspapers of the era. It is certainly worthy of professional framing. It belongs in the most advanced private or institutional Comstock collection. You will never see another! Date: 1860 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4206 - 1859 LETTER TO JUDGE JAMES WALSH REGARDING FIRST COMSTOCK ORE ASSAYS [164479]

Spectacular. This letter was sent from San Francisco, Nov. 21st, 1859, right at the beginning of the Comstock silver rush. It is addressed to Judge James Walsh of Carson County, Utah Territory (Nevada Territory would not be formed until 1861). Message from VA Houseworth advises Walsh to pay Theodore Winters $286 "of my proportion of the value of the ore taken by you from the "Comstock claim...and assayed by your order in the city of San Francisco." The Comstock claim referenced is surely the Ophir claim, the discovery site for the Comstock Lode in Virginia City. 7.25 x 9.5" Folds. Walsh had three assays of ore completed. The other two were done earlier by Melville Atwood, assayer in Grass Valley on June 27th 1859, and days later by J.J. Ott, assayer in Nevada City. After receiving the assay results, Judge Walsh went over to the Washoe and purchased one sixth of the Ophir Claim from Henry P. Comstock for whom the mining region was later named. During September 1859, Walsh brought 3150 lbs. of ore to Mosheimer & Kustel in San Francisco for refining and assaying. After the shipping and processing expenses, he netted $4,781. Winters was also one of the owners of the Ophir ground. This letter signals his payment from his share. This is an incredibly important Comstock document mentioning key players and assays. It is worthy of the most advanced private or museum collection. Date: 1859 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4207 - V&T RAILROAD RECEIPT SIGNED BY EMANUEL PENROD, ONE OF THE ORIGINAL COMSTOCK DISCOVERERS [164481]

Extremely rare Comstock autograph. Virginia & Truckee Railroad receipt, Carson, March 14th, 1872. Issued to E. Penrod for 9 7/8 cords of nut pine wood. Signed boldly on the back by Penrod--this signature matches earlier autographs. 3.5 x 8" Emanuel Penrod was a major character in the story of the Comstock discovery. Leaving his ranch in Genoa in search of gold, he became one of the original founders of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, a partner of Henry Comstock, but they sold out before they struck it rich. Later, Penrod traveled 75 miles northeast of the mining town of Tuscarora to an 8,000-foot mountain surrounded by clouds that he called Island Mountain. Here, he realized he needed water for his placer mining so he turned to Chinese workers that he knew about from their work on the irrigation systems in China and the Carson Valley. Penrod and his partner Charles Mayon of San Francisco struck it rich, taking out a quarter of a million dollars in gold from this area. Penrod won a seat in the Nevada Assembly, but is as well-known for his enlightened attitude toward his Chinese neighbors. For more information on Penrod, see Thompson & West's History of Nevada. Date: 1872 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4208 - EXTREMELY RARE MINING & MILLING PAMPHLET BY ALMARIN B. PAUL [164474]

Never seen by FH. This is the only copy we've ever offered. "A Revolution in Mining. Paul's Electric Dry Amalgamating Barrel Process. A System..." by Almarin B. Paul, 206 Front St. (Room 5), San Francisco. Printed by Spaulding & Barton, Book & Fancy Job Printers. 1871. 20pp. Brown wrappers. 8.5 x 5.5" Paul spent his career inventing various ways to mine gold and silver efficiently. Here he recounts the fruition of his "experiments for the perfecting of a cheaper system of thoroughly reducing ores, amalgamating flour gold, and the ridding of bullion of lead and copper when these metals are associated with gold and silver." This technique known as the Washoe Pan became the key to enabling the rich silver and gold deposits of the famous Comstock Lode to be harvested. OCLC and Rocq locate only the copy at UC-Berkeley. FIRST EDITION. OCLC 21608098 [1]. Rocq 10928 [1]. Not in Romaine, Winterthur, Eberstadt, Decker, Sabin, Cowan, Drury. Paul built one of the first mills in Nevada County and was associated with George Hearst in the conduct of that enterprise for many years. Paul was a key early figure on the Comstock. He erected the first mill there--a twenty-four stamp mill--to work the silver ores, which he reduced, at a uniform price to everyone, for thirty dollars per ton. He hired Duane Leroy Bliss to manage his quartz mill at Silver City and was also the organizer of the Imperial Consolidating Mining Company. In 1860 he invented what became known as the Washoe Pan process for working silver ores, whereby the time of work was reduced from thirty days to four hours. This method was used throughout the world in connection with silver mining. In 1865, having realized a fortune from his efforts in this direction, Mr. Paul sold his interests in mill and mines and embarked in the banking business at Gold Hill. He and D.L. Bliss became partners in the Gold Hill banking firm of Almarin B. Paul, Duane L. Bliss, and W.H. Baker which was purchased in 1865 by the Bank of California. In the year 1867 Mr. Paul sold commenced operations in Inyo County, California, in order to engage in the development of mines there. In 1868 he secured patents on new processes for amalgamating the precious metals. Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4209 - MAP OF THE WASHOE DISTRICT (COMSTOCK LODE), G.F. BECKER, 1881 [164470]

"Map of the Washoe District Showing Mining Claims." Taken out of Becker, Comstock Mining & Miners Plate III. Claims mapped by Hoffman & Craven, 1881. Contour (in brown) map shows details of claims, mines and mills. Claims in blue. Incredible resource for the Comstock historian. 19 X 31". Slight tears on seam at border, a few repairs. Would look great framed. Date: 1881 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4210 - MAP OF WASHOE DISTRICT, NEV. SHOWING COMSTOCK LODE, WHEELER [164471]

Predates Becker. From Expeditions of 1876 & 1877 Under the Command of Captain Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers US Army. Detailed map of claims, mines, and mills right at the height of the Bonanza period of the 1870s. Black on white. 26 x 19" Tears, chips to borders. Date: 1879 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4211 - RARE MAP OF VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA MINING CLAIMS [164472]

Undated map on vellum that shows claims patented by the California MC, Con. Virginia, Ophir, JB Overton, Union Consolidated, Mexican, and Central Silver MC. Claims include the Santa Rita, Silver Terrace, Comstock, Last Chance, Summit, Enterprise, and more. Patent dates listed on the side (1880s). Handwritten pencil notations added to the map. 26 x 31.5" No mapmaker or date given. Rare. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4212 - TERRITORIAL COMSTOCK MINING INDENTURE SELLING TO BEST & BELCHER CO. [164358]

Indenture dated August 10th, 1863 between NO Arrington (and his wife) and the Best & Belcher Mining Company. Selling land on Howard and Taylor Streets in Virginia City for $10,450. Signed by Arrington and notary public Oscar Shuck. 14 x 8.5" Two $5 US IR Manifest adhesive revenue stamps. Arrington was partner in the territorial bank of Stateler & Arrington. Stateler & Arrington were backed by the Bank of California. Their primary client was the Gould & Curry Mining Company. Stateler caused the bank to fail in 1864 after suspiciously trying to cash two large drafts from Wells Fargo (who provided the gold coin to cover the mine pay roll). William Ralston denied the second draft from going through, and Stateler closed the bank doors, defaulting on ~$20,000 owed Wells Fargo and $30,000 owed the Bank of California. To recoup their losses, the Bank of Cal. dispatched William Sharon to the Comstock, thus beginning the bank's eventual path to a monopoly. Date: 1863 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4213 - 1862 VIRGINIA CITY MINING DEEDS FOR THE BIRDSALL CLAIM [164469]

Lot of 2. Both are from Sam. Wasserman for interest in the Birdsall Claim. 1) Indenture dated June 10th, 1862 between Sam. Wasserman of Virginia City and Geo. D. Keeny. $500 for 30 feet undivided in the Birdsall Company Claims located on the Moniture[sic.] Ledge about 200 ft. west of the Gould & Curry claims. Printed by Sam. Wasserman from his office at the International Hotel. 14 x 8.5" 2) June 7th, 1862 indenture between Wasserman and William Lawson for one undivided interest of 5 feet in the Birdsall Co. claim on the Morrison Quartz Ledge. Printed by Sam. Wasserman from his office at the International Hotel. 14 x 8.5" Wasserman is listed in the 1864 Collins VC directory as operating a Cigars & Stationery business at the corner of Union and C (the International Hotel). F. Birdsall created the Gold Canyon Toll Road in 1863. According to Annual Mining Review and Stock Ledger, 1876, F. Birdsall & Co. operated the Lyon Mill & Mining Company in Dayton, Nevada. Date: 1862 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4214 - DEVILS GATE MINING DISTRICT DEED, UTAH TERRITORY (VERY EARLY COMSTOCK) [164468]

Dated Oct. 2nd, 1860. James H. Dowd of Carson County in the Territory of Utah (Nevada Territory wouldn't be formed till March 1861) sells to James Lansing of Alameda County, California for $500, 50 feet interest to acclaim of Gold and Silver known as the "Rose Lead" located in the Devils Gate Mining District in Carson County, Utah Territory. (The Devils Gate MD was located at Silver City, Nevada) "Together with all the dips, spurs and angles and all metals, ores and earth therein and all rights and privileges belonging.". There is the usual signatures and witnesses. Inside the double sheet (8 [x=#937/] X 14 inches) is an attached Office of Utah Commission form from the San Francisco Office of Alexander Boyd, Commissioner Affirming the transaction record with his signature and red seal. The Quit Claim Deed form was printed on blue stock by Wm. B. Cooke, 158 Montgomery Block, S.F. A very early mining deed for Utah Territory. Date: 1860 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Silver City Provenance:

Lot: 4215 - DEVILS GATE MINING DISTRICT DOCUMENTS, COMSTOCK LODE [164348]

Lot of 3 different. The Devils Gate Mining District was located at Silver City, Nevada. 1) 1863 (territorial) indenture between HB Jones of Silver City and EL Chamberlain for 15 undivided feet interest in the Byerly Co. Claim on the Mount Hope Ledge in the Devil's Gate Mining District. Signed by Jone. $1 US IR Conveyance stamp. Sold by local printer S. Wasserman & Co., Virginia City, NT. Company not listed in Collins. 2) 1866 deed between NP Sheldon and William Lee for 400 undivided feet on the Deem(?) Lead near the boundary of the Devils Gate district. SF printer. 50 cent brown Nevada and 50 cent blue UC IR adhesive revenue stamps. 3) One page description of survey by Alfred Craven, Virginia City, 1876, to describe the conflict claimed to exist between the St. Lawrence claim and the Ottawa Co. Claim in the Devils Gate & Chinatown Mining Districts of Lyon County, Nevada. Date: 1863-1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Silver City Provenance:

Lot: 4216 - SILVER CITY, NEVADA TERRITORY MINING ASSESSMENT [164344]

Rare Silver City territorial piece. Dateline Silver City, February 1864. Assessment to Nelson Boukofsky for one share of Florence G&S Mining Co. stock. Signed by secretary Chas. McDuffie. Black print on blue paper. 3.5 x 7" Company is listed in Collins 1864 directory as being in the RR Mining District. Possibly the Railroad District? Date: 1864 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Silver City Provenance:

Lot: 4217 - 1862 VIRGINIA CITY LAND SURVEY [164490]

Early territorial survey completed August 13th, 1862 by EL Mason, Dep. Co. Surveyor, for land of WE Bidleman, who owned a milk ranch at Cedar Ravine. Survey describes road downhill from "Giger Road" (Geiger Grade) and down Cedar Ravine with illustration showing road, stream, and quarry. 12 x 7.75" Date: 1862 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4218 - THREE 1862 VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA LAND SURVEYS [164509]

Lot of 3 very early land surveys for property on the Comstock. All have sketches of the property. All signed by Dep. Co. Surveyor Mason. 1) Survey for David O'Hara, property at corner of H and Carson Sts. in Virginia City adjacent to a cemetery. 2) Survey for Jas. W. Sacry & Co., property in Five Mile Canyon below the Empire Mill and above the toll house. 3) Survey for wood land located one mile south of the mouth of Six Mile Canyon. Date: 1862 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4219 - COMSTOCK "BONANZA MINES" ANNUAL REPORTS: CALIFORNIA AND CONSOLIDATED VIRGINIA [164351]

Lot of 2 different, both rare. The California and Con. Virginia were adjacent mines controlled by the Bonanza Firm and the site of the Big Bonanza discovery in 1873. 1) California Mining Company. 1877. Lists RH Follis as president, JC Flood as treasurer, James G. Fair as supt. and W.S. O'Brien as one of the trustees. (Mackay not listed). Includes report from Fair that details work at the 1300-1600 ft. levels. 17pp. Cover missing, last page loose. 8.25 x 5.25" Printed at the Daily Stock Exchange, SF. 2) Consolidated Virginia. 1880. None of the Bonanza Kings are listed as officers. Report from Patton detailing work at lower levels incl. 2150 ft. Rips to covers, toning. Stamped Wilson Collection. Date: 1877-80 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4220 - TWO DIFFERENT CON. VIRGINIA MINING COMPANY ANNUAL REPORTS [164475]

Lot of 2 different for this famous mine owned by the Bonanza Kings and the site of the Big Bonanza discovery. 1) Report Upon Proposed Exploration on the Upper Levels of Con-Virginia. 1913. Extremely rare and important. 38pp. with fabulous color map detailing shafts, drifts and stopes of paying ore. Includes a history of the mining development at each level for both Bonanza Mines (the Con-Virginia and the Consolidated California) from 1873 - 1881. Table of Operations, Production and Dividends for the same period. 9 x 6" Map is 11 x 14" 2) Annual Report of the Consolidated Virginia Mining Company, 1880. 24pp. No Bonanza Kings are listed as officers for the company. Reporting on bullion shipments, expenses, balance sheet, cash flow, etc. along with President's report. Paper cover. 9 x 5.5" Date: 1880-1913 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4221 - CON. CALIFORNIA & VIRGINIA MINING CO. BULLION RECEIPTS FOR WELLS FARGO [164478]

Lot of 3 Wells Fargo & Co. Express bullion receipts for the Con. California & Virginia Mining Company, the mines that were the site of the Big Bonanza ore discovery. All are for bullion being sent from Virginia City to the Nevada Bank in San Francisco. 1) 1886 receipt for 10 bars, $38,700. 2) 1887 receipt for 14 bars, $41,000. 3) 1890 receipt for 16 bars, $63,600. This receipt has water damage/staining. All receipts are approx. 5.25 x 11" Date: 1886-1890 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4222 - DEED SELLING A MILL SITE IN SEVENMILE CANYON, COMSTOCK LODE, W/ MANY REVENUE STAMPS [164359]

1869 indenture between FJ Titus and Ira Parke & David Bowie. For $4,000 in gold coin, selling property located near the Winfield Mill in Sevenmile Canyon and bordering the Ophir property. Includes quartz tailings, sluices, tools, water tanks, and reservoirs--this sounds to us that they are buying a mill site. Signed by Titus and notary public Richard Thomas. 17 x 11" Separation along fold. Covered in revenue stamps: four 50 cent brown Nevada, two $1 red Nevada stamps, and eight 50 cent US IR Life Insurance stamps. Parke & Bowie owned several Comstock mill sites, according to Ansari. They bought the abandoned Gould & Curry mill in 1871, as well as the Express Mill, Janin & Parke Mill, and the Railroad Mill in Sixmile Canyon. Their mills were among the first tailings mill sites on the Comstock. David Bowie also served as supt. for the Gould & Curry for a brief period in the 1860s. Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4223 - COMSTOCK MILLING & ASSAY DOCUMENT GROUP [164345]

Lot of 4. 1) Sept. 24th, 1862 letter to Mr. Fisk from Sand & Bro. Requesting 2 tons of salt, 1 ton of Sulphuric Acid and 0.5 tons of Sulphate of copper. All these reagents were used in refining Comstock ore using the Washoe Pan Process. Letter discusses different acids. 2) Manuscript 1867 receipt for the Savage Mining Company to the Temelic Mill Co. for crushing 890 tons of ore. Signed by the supt. of the mill. 2 cent orange NV and 2 cent US IR adhesive revenue stamps. Rare mill that was located in Washoe Valley at the lower end of Pleasant Valley. It was destroyed by arson in the early 1870s. 3) Woodworth Mill Co. voucher, 1885, to the Eagle Salt Works for 30,000 lbs. of mill salt. Signed by Lowell. The Woodworth Mill was located on the Carson River one mile above Dayton. 4) Receipt from JM Douglass & Co., Dayton, 1885, to the Woodworth Mill for sulphuric acid and "leadwork." Attached to Woodworth Mill voucher. Date: 1862-1885 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4224 - COMSTOCK MINING ASSESSMENT RECEIPT GROUP [164340]

Lot of 10, all different. These assessment receipts were issued in the San Francisco offices for these mining companies based on the Comstock Lode. They are signed by the company secretaries. Included: Lady Bryan Mining Co. (Flowery Lode, 1876); Dayton Gold & Silver Mining Co. (1877); Mexican Gold & Silver Mining Co. (1876);Ophir Silver Mining Co. (1866 & 1867); Overman Silver Mining Co. (1874); Savage Mining Co. (1880); Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co. (1874); Lady Washington Mining Co. (1875); and Chollar-Potosi Mining Co. (1874). Date: 1866-80 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4225 - TWO COMSTOCK MINING ASSESSMENTS: OPHIR AND ECLIPSE, WINTERS & PLATO [164503]

Lot of 2 different. 1) Ophir Silver Mining Company. San Francisco, 1866. Assessment on Thos. Mason for his 60 shares. Signed by the secretary. 2 cent US IR stamp. 2) Eclipse, Winters & Plato Consolidated Gold Hill Mining Company. San Francisco, 1873. Assessment on I. Glazier & Co. for their 10 shares. Signed by the secretary. These three original Comstock claims located in Gold Hill were shown in the Mining Atlas accompanying Volume III of the U.S. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel by Clarence King in 1870. The company was later absorbed by William Sharon on April 13, 1876, into the Consolidated Imperial which had increased its shares to 500,000. Sharon also absorbed the adjacent properties including the Imperial Silver Mining Co., Empire, Consolidated Gold Hill Quartz, Gold Hill Mining Company, French Gold Hill Mining Company, Bacon Mill & Mining Co., and the Bowers Mining Co., all basically constituting the smaller Gold Hill mining companies. Date: 1866-73 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4226 - MINING INDENTURE TO GOULD & CURRY MINE, SPANISH RAVINE CLAIM [164346]

Contract between JP Wheeler and the Gould & Curry Mining Company for title to a quartz ledge and mining ground in the Virginia Mining District formerly owned by the Keystone Gold & Silver Mining Company. Ground is in Spanish Ravine parallel to the Comstock Lead and the claim located by Rodger, Bowers & Co. Printed by HC Lillie & Co., a Virginia City printer. Signed by Lillie as notary public and JP Wheeler. Three revenue stamps: two brown 50 cent Nevada stamps and $1 US IR Inland Exchange. 14 x 8.5" Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4227 - GOULD & CURRY SILVER MINING CO. ORE RECEIPT COLLECTION [164353]

Lot of 17. This group has a nice coverage of the various mills being used by the Comstock mines in the 1860s. Clearly, the Gould & Curry was testing these mills to see a) if they were cheating them and b) how efficient they were at precious metal extraction. 1) Three different territorial receipts, March-August 1864. For the Santiago and Gould & Curry mills. 2) 1865 receipt for ores worked at Dalls Mill. 3) 1866 form with three receipts attached to a sheet of two receipts. All for ore assayed by the Gould & Curry for the Savage Mining Company. Assays done at the Mariposa Mill, Dalls Mill, Savage Mill, and Pacific Mill. 4) 12 receipts for Savage MC ore assayed by the Gould & Curry, 1866-67. Includes numerous mills: Atchison, Woodworth, Mariposa, Island, Savage, Empire State, and Manhattan. Great group that offers a peak at the assaying and smelting of this important Comstock mine during the 1860s. Date: 1864-67 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4228 - WELLS FARGO & CO. BULLION RECEIPT FOR THE GOULD & CURRY MINE [164339]

Rare Wells Fargo receipt for shipment of two bars of bullion valued at $5,145 sent by Isaac Requa, supt. of the Gould & Curry. Weight 183 lbs. Dateline Va. July 12, 1869. Addressed to Alpheus Bull, pres. of the company in San Francisco. Signed by agent Geo. McLand. Orange 2 cent NV revenue stamp and 2 cent IR. 5.5 x 11.75" Requa was a very important mine superintendent on the Comstock. Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4229 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY BULLION RECEIPTS FOR WELLS FARGO [164477]

Lot of 3. WF bullion receipts for the Savage are much rarer than for the Gould & Curry. 1) 1866 receipt for 8 bars of bullion ($19,082.49) sent by Charles Bonner in Virginia City to the Savage Office in SF. Signed by Henry Ropp. Orange 2 cent Nevada adhesive revenue stamp. 2) 1869 receipt for 6 bars ($10,047.19) sent to Alpheus Bull, president of the Savage in SF. Signed by agent Geo. McLane. Orange 2 cent Nevada adhesive revenue stamp in upper left corner. Some staining. 3) Bonus item is a Savage Mine paycheck issued by Charles Bonner as supt., 1867. Date: 1866-69 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4230 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY BULLION RECEIPTS FOR WELLS FARGO [164506]

Lot of 3. Rare. 1) 1867 receipt for 11 bars of bullion sent by Savage supt. Charles Bonner to the Savage office in San Francisco. Valued at $22,315. Signed by Henry Roff. 5.5 x 10" 2) 1867 receipt for 20 bars of bullion sent by Savage supt. Charles Bonner to the Savage office in San Francisco. Valued at $41,246. Signed by Henry Roff. 5.5 x 9.5" 3) 1870 Savage Mine paycheck from when Chas. Bonner was supt. (handwritten over TB Shamp). Date: 1867-70 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4231 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY BULLION RECEIPTS FOR WELLS FARGO [164491]

Lot of 2 rare Wells, Fargo & Co. Express bullion receipts for the Savage Mining Company. Both are signed by agent Geo. M. Lane. 1) 1868 receipt for two bars of bullion valued at $5,265 sent from Virginia City to Alpheus Bull, president of the company, in San Francisco. Orange 2 cent Nevada adhesive revenue stamp in upper left corner. Rough edges. 5.5 x 11.5" 2) 1869 receipt for 5 bars of bullion sent from VC to Alpheus Bull in SF. Valued at $9,903. Orange 2 cent Nevada adhesive revenue stamp in upper left corner. Rough edges. 5.5 x 11.5" Date: 1868-69 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4232 - MINING DEED FOR THE BOWERS CLAIM TO THE SAVAGE MINING COMPANY [164473]

Rare mining deed between James Anderson, William T. Barboun, Philip W. Keyes (who purchased the claim from Sandy Bowers and James Rodgers) and the Savage Mining Co. for the 600 foot claims known as Bowers and Rogers for $500. Stamps cut out. 8.5 x14" Lemuel Sanford (Sandy) Bowers was one of the town's early arrivals in 1857 first running a boarding house further south in Gold Canyon for the placer miners. He purchased a number of claims but the most profitable was a ten foot strip being part of the Little Gold Hill Mines. On August 9, 1859, Eilley Orrum and Sandy Bowers joined their mining claims and married in Gold Hill. One of the richest mines in both silver and Gold, the couple built a mansion in Washoe, now a museum. Date: 1865 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4233 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164343]

Very rare. 1873 Annual report printed by "Stock Report" Print in San Francisco. JA Pritchard is president and AC Hamilton is superintendent. 19pp. Foldout table in the back, 18.5 x 11.5", lists Ore Produced and Expenses. 33,414 tons of ore yielded in 12 months. Describes work on various levels, including resuming work at deeper levels due to now having sufficient air flow. Company mills at Washoe still in operation. Brown wrappers, string binding. Soiling on cover, minor wear elsewhere. 9 x 6" Key Comstock mine and this report is right during the 1873 Big Bonanza period. Date: 1873 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4234 - SAVAGE MINING COMPANY EPHEMERA COLLECTION [164347]

Lot of 17. 1) Six paychecks, 1874-1878. Includes superintendents: James Fair (manuscript), AC Hamilton, FF Osbiston, and MG Gillette. 2) Four Savage Mining Co. billheads, 1878-1888. Issued to Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Co., John Gillig, Tyrell & Reese, and WN Hall & Co. 3) 1894 letter on company letterhead. Message to 4th asst. postmaster general in Washington DC regarding Elko appointments. 4) 1871 letter to TB Shamp, supt. of the Savage Mine, regarding shipment of 250 boxes of mining candles from San Francisco. 5) 1871 letter to the secretary of the Savage MC from the Occidental M&M Co. requesting list of monthly dividends paid since April 1868. 6) 1894 assessment received from TR Hofer of Carson on 500 shares. 7) Two documents related to the Savage Mill in Washoe Valley, 1866. Both for shipments of bullion. 8_ 1916 Report to Stockholders of the Savage / Hale & Norcross / Chollar / Potosi Mining Companies. 22pp. Color foldout cross-sections and printed photos. Date: 1866-1916 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4235 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED BY JD FRY [164501]

Bank of California promissory note for $25,000 issued in 1871 to H. Newhall. Signed by JD Fry as president. Reverse has a two dollar orange Washington Internal Revenue Mortgage stamp (R-82), a ten dollar green Washington Internal Revenue Mortgage stamp (R-95) and a 50 cents green Washington Internal Revenue Orig. Process stamp (R-60). 4 x 8.25" JD Fry was a close friend of Sharon and also related to William Ralston's wife (either her father or uncle). Fry came with Sharon to California during the Gold Rush. He lobbied for Sharon to be the Bank of California's representative in Virginia City. Fry was also one of the founding members of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, serving as a director. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4236 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED BY JD FRY [164502]

Bank of California promissory note for $25,000 issued in 1871 to H. Newhall. Signed by JD Fry as president. Reverse has a ten green Blue Washington Internal Revenue Mortgage stamp (R-95), a $1.50 blue Washington stamp (R-78) and a one-dollar orange-brown imperforate Washington Internal Revenue Passage ticket stamp (very rare). 4 x 8.25" JD Fry was a close friend of Sharon and also related to William Ralston's wife (either her father or uncle). Fry came with Sharon to California during the Gold Rush. He lobbied for Sharon to be the Bank of California's representative in Virginia City. Fry was also one of the founding members of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, serving as a director. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4237 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED BY WILLIAM SHARON [164497]

Bank of California Note to pay Union Mill & Mining Co. $40,000.00 dated November 20th, 1876 in Gold Coin with interest to accrue at one % per month. Signed by Shelby Von Bargan (?). On Reverse List of interest due and signature of William Sharon, as President of the Union Mill & Mining Co. Interest at ten percent per annum. Embossed seal of the Union Mill & Mining Company: Incorporated March 25, 1868. Note pinned to Bank note form indicating that balance and interest was paid of $36,885.96 on August 30th 1878 to D.O. Mills, who was president after William Ralston had committed suicide in August of 1875. Date: 1876 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4238 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED BY WILLIAM SHARON PLUS BONUS [164498]

Lot of 2 Bank of California items. 1) Bank of California Note to pay Union Mill & Mining Co. $7500.00 dated May 9th, 1870 in Gold Coin. Signed by A.M. Edington. William Sharon, agent signature on reverse. Interest at one percent per month. Three stamps on reverse: a three dollar green Washington Internal Revenue Manifest stamp (R-86), a 25 cent red Washington Internal Revenue Power of Attorney stamp (R-48) and a 50 cents green Washington Internal Revenue Orig. Process stamp (R-60). This was the consolidation of the Bank of California's Comstock mines and mills. 2) 1870 Bank of California small letterhead listing DO Mills as president and WC Ralston as secretary. Sent to Allen & Curtis in Mineral Hill, NV. Note is about $3000 in gold coin sent via Wells Fargo. Signed for Ralston by J. Dunn. Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4239 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE TO WILLIAM SHARON [164499]

Bank of California promissory note for $28, 028, issued to William Sharon by the Union Mill and Mining Company, October 1872, San Francisco. Signed by William Sharon as president. Pen cancelled. Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Here, Sharon is loaning the company a large sum, about the same time that Fair & Mackay were becoming a force to be reckoned with. 4 x 8". Date: 1872 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4240 - UNION MILL & MINING CO. PROMISSORY NOTE TO WILLIAM SHARON, SIGNED BY SHARON & FRY [164496]

Bank of California promissory note for $100,000, issued to William Sharon by the Union Mill and Mining Company, Nov. 1st, 1871, San Francisco. Signed by JD Fry as president. Pen cancelled. Reverse is endorsed by William Sharon twice! The Union Mill & Mining Co. was the organization that managed the Bank of California's large number of Comstock mines and mills. (Fair, Flood, Mackay, & O'Brien later organized the Pacific Mill & Mining Co. to do the same for their properties). Here, Sharon is loaning the company a large sum, about the same time that Fair & Mackay were becoming a force to be reckoned with. JD Fry was a close friend of Sharon and also related to William Ralston's wife (either her father or uncle). Fry came with Sharon to California during the Gold Rush. He lobbied for Sharon to be the Bank of California's representative in Virginia City. Fry was also one of the founding members of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, serving as a director. Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. 4 x 8" Folds, creases. An important Comstock document with key signatures. Date: 1871 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4241 - BANK OF CALIFORNIA PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED BY WILLIAM SHARON & ALVINZA HAYWARD [164500]

Bank of California promissory note for $20,000 issued in 1870 in San Francisco to A(lvinza) Hayward. Signed by Hayward on reverse. Signed by William Sharon as agent. This is likely related to their Comstock operation the Union Mill & Mining Company. Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Bank of California for William Ralston. The bank made a fortune by loaning to mining companies and then seizing their properties when they defaulted. Sharon was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which he wanted to connect the Comstock with the ore mills he owned along the Carson River (with Ralston). Later in life, he also served as a U.S. senator. Alvinza Hayward was one of the "Bank Crowd" and an owner of the Union Mill & Mining Co. He found his first success in mining in the California Gold Rush, investing in the Eureka Mine in Amador County and then later in the Utica Mine in Angel's Camp. He also invested heavily in the Comstock Lode and had close connections to Sharon and the Bank of California Crowd (once serving as the bank's director). However, he worked with John P Jones in 1872 to take over the Crown Point Mine in Gold Hill which played into the end of Sharon's reign and the beginning of Mackay's. Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4242 - TWO JAMES G. FAIR MINING LETTERS [164489]

Lot of 2 for Bonanza King mining millionaire and US Senator James G. Fair. 1) Letterbook copy of letter sent by Fair in the 1860s when he was superintendent of the Hale & Norcross. Sent to the secretary, the message talks about erecting the foundation for a large pumping engine, retimbering the main shaft, and erecting new tanks. The Bonanza Kings wrestled away this mine from the Bank of California in 1869 by buying up the stock. It is likely this letter dates to just after their takeover when Fair became supt. and they made improvements to make it a paying mine. 2) Letter written by a secretary for Fair, San Francisco, 1881. Addressed to Caldwell and discusses personal health. Date: 1860s-80s Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4243 - TWO DIFFERENT COMSTOCK MINING COMPANY LETTERHEADS [164508]

Lot of 2. 1) 1883 letterhead for a combined mining operation office run by the Bonanza Firm. Letterhead lists numerous mines including: California Mining Co., Con. Virginia, C&C Joint Shaft, Pacific Mill & Mining Co., SNM&U Shaft, Utah SMC, Pacific Wood, Lumber & Flume Co., and Occidental Mining Co. Letter is to HM Yerington and discusses wood shipments for the C&C Shaft, Ophir Shaft, and Union Shaft. No signature (possibly missing second page). Folds, toning. Scarce. 2) Rough & Read Mining Company. (Not to be confused with the Nevada County or Bodie mines). This is a Gold Hill operation. Two letterheads glued together and used as an 1895 indenture. Date: 1883 & 1895 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4244 - PACIFIC MILL & MINING CO. MILL VOUCHER COLLECTION [164342]

Lot of 12 different. The Pacific Mill & Mining Co. was created by the Bonanza Firm (Mackay, Fair, Flood, & O'Brien) to consolidate their mining and milling operations after the Big Bonanza discover. This group includes numerous of the Carson River and Comstock mills: Rhode Island Mill (1877 with attached Wheeler Hall & Co. billhead); Bacon Mill (1876 for mill supplies); Woodworth Mill (1880); Mariposa Mill (1877 to V& TRR); California Mill (1879); Omega Mill (1879 to V& TRR); Consolidated Mill (1876 to Hale & Norcross Mine); Trench Mill (1878); Morgan Mill (1878 to V& TRR); Omega Sluice (1879); General Expense (1877); and Mill Supplies (1877 to V&TRR). Date: 1876-80 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4245 - WOODWORTH MILL BILLHEAD GROUP, VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA [164492]

Lot of 9. Issued 1877-1885 to: Trench Mill, Mariposa Mill, Consolidated Mill, Geo. Randall, Harkin, JC Hampton, and others. Some have soiling and toning. The Woodworth Mill, built in 1864, was located on the Carson River approx. one mile above Dayton. It was a 24-stamp mill with 12 pans and a 48-ton capacity. In 1871, "Bonanza Kings" James G. Fair and John W. Mackay of the Pacific Mill and Mining Company purchased the mill and began an overhaul under the supervision of S. Fountain. They installed a new turbine wheel of 240 horsepower along with a dozen new pans of the largest scale. In 1874, the mill started crushing 40 tons a day of Silver Hill Mine ore. Date: 1877-85 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4246 - VIRGINIA CITY & SURROUNDING AREA BILLHEAD GROUP [164356]

Lot of 16. Included: rare Stock Exchange, San Francisco, with trade dollar vignette, 1876, attached to Savage voucher; John Gillig Hardware & Mining Supplies (1886, maker of famous mining lanterns); Woodworth Mill Co. (1880 to Eagle Salt Works); Joseph Fredericks (1874 & 1885, paints); Sauer & Kornmayer (Washoe City, 1912); Virginia Evening Chronicle (1897); Mark Strouse (Central Market, pictorial, 1879); Tyrrell & Reese (Union Iron Works, 1878); Western Union Telegraph (1886); Dayton County Clerk (1901); Pacific Mill & Mining Co. (General Expense, 1878, and Occidental Mill, 1875); and Virginia & Gold Hill Water Co. (3, 1873-1882, best is for Pacific Ice Co. who harvested ice from the Carson River for use on the Comstock). Please inspect. Date: 1873-1897 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4247 - WELLS FARGO & CO. LETTER & COVER WITH DISCUSSION OF VIRGINIA CITY NEWSPAPER [164350]

Rare letterhead with interesting content. Cover has Treasure City cancel. Wells Fargo & Co. Stage Department, Virginia City, Nevada, Feb, 5th, 1869. Addressed to CC Cassidy in Dutch Flat ("Dear Brother") from GW Cassidy. Says his newspaper, The Daily Safeguard of Virginia City has been sold. He, along with the editor in chief of the paper (John I. Ginn) are headed for White Pine to set up a new business. He sent the letter from Treasure Hill as the attached cover indicates. Formerly the Trespass (started Feb. 6,1867), which was suspended Oct. 3, 1868, with the Nevada Democratic Printing Co. purchasing it for $8000 and launching the Daily Safeguard two days later. It was a strong advocate for the Democratic party during the elections but lasted only three months after the campaigns. George Williams Cassidy was involved in journalism and newspaper publications in Dutch Flat, Meadow Lake, Virginia City, Hamilton, & Eureka. More background info. included. Date: 1869 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4248 - WHITE & MURPHY GOLD & SILVER MINING CO. TERRITORIAL RECEIPTS [164510]

Lot of 4 labor receipts from superintendent RH Morrow, all dated 1862, Virginia City, N.T. Black print on blue paper. 4 x 7.5" The White & Murphy Gold and Silver Mining Co. was incorporated in April 1861, for 210 feet of the Comstock Lode, bounded on the north by the Kinney Claim and on the south by the Dick Sides Claim. It was capitalized at $126,000; 840 shares $150 per. It was to become part of the richest Bonanza Mine on the Comstock: on June 7th, 1867 the Consolidated Virginia Mining Company was organized, capitalized at $2,320,000; 1160 shares at $2000 per. The new company was composed of the Sides Claim of 500 feet; the White & Murphy Claim, 210 feet; the Kinney claim, 50 feet; the Central No. 2 Claim, 100 feet, lying north of an adjoining the Kinney Claim and the California Claim, 300 feet north and adjoining the Central No. 2. Date: 1862 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4249 - WHITE'S CANON MILL TERRITORIAL BILLHEADS FOR THE SAVAGE MINING COMPANY [164355]

Lot of 3 territorial billheads for wood bought by the Savage Gold & Silver Mining Company from White's Canon Mill, G. Loomis proprietor. August-October 1864. S. & Co. print. White's Canon Mill is located where the popular Galena Creek trail is today. Date: 1864 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4250 - "THE HEAT OF THE COMSTOCK LODE" BY JOHN A. CHURCH [164349]

"A Paper Read before the American Institute of Mining Engineers at the New York Meeting, February, 1880." 8 pp., printed wrappers. 9.25 x 6" Wear to covers. New York: Published by the author, 1880. Booklet detailing the problem of unbearable heat in the mines of the Comstock. Church identifies the problem as being caused by hot gasses and water. "The quantity of this steam in the upcast is greater in the Comstock than in any other mines I have ever seen." Rare. Date: 1880 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4251 - COMSTOCK EPHEMERA COLLECTION [164511]

Lot of 14. 1) Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1865. Article "Washoe Revisited." By J. Ross Browne. This is the second paper by the author recording his observations during a visit in October of 1863. His first visit was in 1860. 2) Four repro. photographs incl. US Grant mine tour with Mackay & Fair, and two different of Gold Hill. Photos are 6 x 10" to 8 x 10" 3) 1877 letter to the residents of the Miners Unions of Storey & Lyon Counties from FF Osbiston. Two pages, lists new rules regarding superintendents. 4) 1888 county receipt for VC doctor FM Conn. 5) 1907 certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Ophir Silver MC. 6) Speech of Hon. William M. Stewart as Senator of Nevada to Congress Jan. 2, 1889 on remonetizing silver for coinage. 7) Typed list of Patents on Claims in the Gold Hill Mining District. Undated. 8) Letter Discussing Mining claims and Alex Gambles mining stock holdings dated March 25, 1864. Gamble was a founder of Aurora and owned many claims in that town and the Comstock. 9) Typed list of 5 claims on the Chipman Ledge, Gold Hill, from 1863. Undated. 10) Cross Sectional Map of the Hale & Norcross and Potosi showing shafts, cross cuts and mineral layers. Tears along seams. 11) Bonus item is Superintendents Weekly Report for the Crystal Lake Gold Mining Co. - Has detailed sections on the mine, mill, shops, reduction works, mine consumption, mine output, milling and outside operations. Dated July 8th 1905. Mine in Nevada County, CA. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4252 - CODED TELEGRAM: LELAND STANFORD TRADING COMSTOCK STOCK [163341]

Telegram from Leland Stanford's Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company of San Francisco to Carson City Savings Bank concerning the sale of 25 shares of Mexican (Mine) at $8 1/2. Written in code, as stock trading telegrams were, "Canterbury Cognac assist Couch Cornelia." Date: 1877 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Virginia City Provenance:

Lot: 4253 - IMPERIAL SILVER MINING CO. LEGAL DOCUMENTS, WHITE PINE MINING DISTRICT, NV [164486]

Abstract, title, claim and Conveyances for the Imperial Silver Mining Co. White Pine Mining District, Lander County, Nevada. 8 pages. Starting November 12, 1868 through January 15th 1870, this document records the transfer of claims owned by John Nealy, William Slattery and David Neagle, 200 feet each to the Imperial Silver Mining Co. of White Pine Mining District, Nevada. The first page declares, "Notice: we the undersigned claim (600) six hundred Feet on this ledge, running 150 feet westerly and 450 feet easterly, with dips, spurs and angles and privileges according to the laws of the White Pine District. This claim shall be known as the Imperial Mining Company. Dated this 12th of Nov. 1868." Document has three Nevada green 5 cent revenue stamps (back of page 1, page 4, and page 7). 8 x 12.5" Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: White Pine Mining District Provenance:

Lot: 4254 - CHLORIDE MINING & REDUCTION ORE BAG [163303]

Canvas ore bag marked C. M. & R. Co., is it Chloride Mining & Reduction? 21.5x14.25", some staining. Date: Country (if not USA): State: New Mexico City: Chloride Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4255 - METAL ORE CAR TAG, LINCOLN MINE [161545]

Metal ore car tag with crude attachment hook. One side has Sorting Ore scratched into surface, reverse Lincoln Mine, Minersville UT. Tag 3x5.25", hook 5". Date: Country (if not USA): State: Utah City: Minersville Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4256 - VERMONT MINING STEREOVIEW [160447]

Rare. Reverse has label: "Hills and Dales of New England. No. 466. Gold Digging at Smith's Claim, Gold Miner's Glen, Plymouth, Vt. F.B. Gage, Photo. Published by E. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York." View shows 5 or so miners posing next to creek and sluice boxes. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Vermont City: Plymouth Provenance:

Lot: 4257 - THE MINER'S COMPENDIUM AND GUIDE, 1861 [163235]

The Miner's Compendium and Guide: A COMPENDIUM OF VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR THE PROSPECTOR, MINER, GEOLOGIST, MINERALOGIST AND ASSAYER; TOGETHER WITH A COMPREHENSIVE GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL PHRASES USED IN THE WORK - San Francisco: Published by Julius Silversmith, "Mining and Scientific Press" Office, Government House, 1861. 232 pp. including illustrations and 22 pp. of ads. 16mo. Original printed paper boards, neatly rebacked in calf. Boards worn and scuffed. Minor foxing, two dozen leaves (scattered throughout text) with old stains in center portion. Good. In a cloth clamshell box, leather label. One of the more sought-after miner's guides filled with much information on advances in mining technology and mineralogy. Silversmith crafted his work as a "portable mineralogical compendium" and focused not only on gold mining, but on other minerals such as silver, copper, iron, lead, and coal. He draws on the work of Whitney, Werner, and other geologists, and also includes information on the latest mechanical systems for mining and processing gold, many of which are illustrated with handsome engravings. Filled with practical advice and instructions. The ads are mostly for San Francisco businesses, including machinists, printers, grocers, and more. Many focus on the needs of the miner with an ad on the inside cover for the steamship Panama and an ad on the rear cover for the Assay office of Waters & Co. (late Blake & Co.). Index in rear. This copy has a few pencil notes on the rear endpapers, indicating early use by a miner. "A much used guide, with many interesting illustrations of mining apparatus" - Howell. COWAN, p.430-31. GREENWOOD 1557. ROCQ 15964. HOWELL 50:642. SABIN 81128 Reese 34703 1-21-08 Date: 1861 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4258 - A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK FOR MINERS, METALLURGISTS, AND ASSAYERS, 1867 [163236]

A Practical Hand-book for Miners, Metallurgists, and Assayers: Comprising the most recent improvements in the disintegration, amalgamation, smelting, and parting of precious ores - Julius Silversmith - Published by Van Nostrand 4th edition with many illustrations. Original binding with some fraying and stains, otherwise very good. 1867 Date: 1867 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4259 - TREATISE ON THE ASSAYING OF LEAD, COPPER, SILVER COPPER, GOLD, AND MERCURY, 1868 [163233]

Treatise on the Assaying of Lead, Copper, Silver Copper, Gold, and Mercury: T-H. Bodermann & Bruno Kurl - 1868 Publisher: John Wiley & Son Rebound Illustrated with Plates Date: 1868 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4260 - EXPLORERS' AND ASSAYERS' COMPANION, 1881 [163247]

Author's copy! Explorers' and Assayers' Companion: Rocks, Veins, Testing, and Assaying: Phillips, J. S., M.E., London, Trubner & Co. 1881 Hard Cover. 3rd Edition (best). 8vo - over 7.75 x 9.75" tall. Volume I, complete in itself. Beautiful gilt pictorial drawing on front green cover. Beautiful gilt lettering on spine and gilt pictorial scene on front cover. Gilt lettering in excellent shape. light spotting on 10 percent of front board XVII chapters. 468 pp plus a Catalogue of works on Applied Science, chiefly relating to Mining, Mechanics, and Engineering; 40 figures plus illustrations & tables. Text is very clean and tight. Interior in great shape. Figures include cross section of Comstock Load, Horse whim, underground mine plans, and a great glossary (45 pages long) of words and phrases used in the arts of prospecting assaying mining and metallurgy. This is the author's copy!! Stamp says "Removed from San Francisco J.S. Phillips: E.M. No 1 Wall St, New York". cover has minor damp spotting back board edge (2 inches has board showing) otherwise a very nice copy. Date: 1881 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4261 - TABLES OF THE VALUE OF GOLD AND SILVER PER OUNCE TROY, 1881 [163234]

Tables of the Value of Gold and Silver per Ounce Troy: at Different Degrees of Fineness. with other Tables, which will be found useful to Bankers, Assayers, Chemists, Merchants, Dealers in Bullion and Ores - by Thomas Price San Francisco, A.J. Leary 1881. 60 pp. Printed on different colored papers. 9.75x7 inches, cloth wrappers lettered in gilt. First published the preceding year, with both editions quite scarce - only three copies of the present edition are listed in the RLG Union Catalog. After coming to San Francisco in 1862 Price soon became superintendent of the Assay office and chemical department of the San Francisco Refinery until 1875 when the company closed with the advent of the death of it's major owner, William C. Ralston of Comstock fame. Then Professor Thomas Price set up his Assay and Metallurgical operations which were the most extensive on the West Coast if not the United States and was located a 524 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. It included a Bullion department, Metallurgical dept., Chemical Laboratory and Ore floors. (Reference: California Coiners and Assayers, by Dan Owens 2000). This volume also contains sections on "Rules for the purchase and sale of Unparted Gold Bars", "Charges for Refining", etc. The last page is a detailed advertisement for the firm with charges for assays and analyses. Spine faded, rear cover as well with vertical streaks (sun); otherwise near fine. Date: 1881 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4262 - STATISTICS OF MINES & MINING IN THE STATES & TERRITORIES WEST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS [157967]

by Rossiter W. Raymond, U.S. Commissioner of Mining Statistics, Washington Govt. Printing Office, 1870 ~ Covers states of Calif., Nev., Ore., Wash., Ida., Col., Mt., Wyo., N.M., & Az., and their counties ~ Filled with every mining statistic imaginable ~ Renderings of structures, equipment & appliances galore, ~ (6" x 9" HB, 805 pages, contents in great condition) Date: 1870 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4263 - MINES, MINERS, AND MINING INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1882 [163248]

Mines miners and mining interests of the United States in 1882: compiled by William Ralston Balch 1882 - Publisher: Philadelphia- Mining Industrial Publishing Bureau, 1191 pp. A history of mining in the United States. Many illustrations, charts and tables. This book is one of the all-time classic mining references. It contains detailed information on companies, individual districts and metals in general. It is a large-scale reference work of approximately 8 x 11" size and 4 inches thick. Boards are unattached and the binding loose. This reference only comes up for auction about once every 10 years. Rarely available to collectors. Date: 1882 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4264 - THE METALLURGY OF GOLD, 1896 [163237]

The Metallurgy of Gold: 1896 By Manuel Eissler. London Crosby Lockwood & Son Hardcover. A practical treatise on the Metallurgical Treatment of Gold Bearing Ores including concentration, chlorination, extraction, assaying, refining etc. Fourth ed. revised. With 250 illustrations and numerous folding plates 678pp and 8pp adverts. Newly rebound maroon cloth. gilt. Date: 1896 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4265 - US MINT REPORTS, 1880'S, 4 [163416]

These US Mint Reports discusses world precious metal production in detail, statistical production of US Mint branches and assay offices with state by state discussion. 1886 317pp-top staining, cover repairs. 1887 343pp. 1888 246pp. 1889 296pp-no cover, Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4266 - US MINT REPORTS, 3 KEY VOLS. 1880'S [163417]

3 of the 5 key volumes of US Mint Reports. 1880, 1882 and 1884 by Burchard that describes mines of the West. Each is indexed geographically, by subject and mine name. They are ex Chase National Bank Library. 1880-Mostly California, some NC, NV, AZ and Dakota, 444pp. 1882-Inscribed JB Archer, Wash D. C. Archer was apparently a US Mint employee, 765pp. Wide coverage of CO, NM but not much on CA and NV. 1884-USGS library bookplate. 644pp. Wide coverage, mostly California, also NV, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA Territory. All have spine wear. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4267 - US MINT REPORTS, 7, 1888-1890'S [163419]

These US Mint Reports discusses world precious metal production in detail, statistical production of US Mint branches and assay offices with state by state discussion. 1888-no covers, 246pp. 1891-no covers, 321pp. 1892 260pp. 1893 317pp. 1894 354pp. 1895 384pp. 1899 313pp. 1900 435pp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4268 - US MINT REPORTS, 8 [163418]

These US Mint Reports discusses world precious metal production in detail, statistical production of US Mint branches and assay offices with state by state discussion. 1901 380pp. 1902 414pp. 1903 391pp. 1904 391pp. 1905 292pp. 1907-150pp, loose covers. 1906 134pp. 1908 143pp. 1910 135pp. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4269 - MINING STOCK EXCHANGE PUBLICATIONS (2) [157657]

History of the San Francisco Stock & Exchange Board, by the Chairman, Jos. L. King, printed by the Stanley-Taylor Co., S.F. 1910 ~ (5" x 8" HB, 373 pages) Mining Stock Exchanges, 1860-1930, an Historical History, by Marian V. Sears, University of Montana Press, 1973 ~ ({6" x 9" HB, 228 pages) Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4270 - BLASTING POWDER EPHEMERA AND BILLHEAD [162166]

Thomas Fuller Hardware billhead with Atlas Powder over elk head. 2pp California Powder Works letterhead to SR Buford, 1900. 3 Dupont letterheads c. 1910. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4271 - ILLUSTRATED MINING RELATED COVERS [164079]

Lot of 5. 1) California Powder Works, "Hercules," Denver, Colorado. 1905. Vignette of Hercules breaking apart rocks. 2) Pacific Coast Borax Company, "20 Mule Team Borax." New York. 1916. Photo vignette of mule train. Famous Death Valley Borax company. 3) W&H Walker, Soap & Candle Makers. "Walker's Triple Pressed Stearic Mining Candles." Pittsburg. Includes receipt for borax. 1901. 4) Postal card for WJ Bardsley, vice president of Reed's Peak Mining Company, Park City, Utah. 1917. 5) Bonus piece is a Western Union Telegraph Co. telegram received in Carson City in 1882. Short message in code about mining stocks. Date: 1882-1917 Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4272 - MINING EPHEMERA [161702]

2 Anaconda tool cards, 2 Cripple Creek checks. Mine inspector candidate sign. 8x10" hydraulic monitor photo. .5" pad of Portland Gold Mining grocery requisition blank forms c. 1920's. Miner group photo with guns! 6x8". Mining and Scientific Press 1879 etc. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4273 - MINING EPHEMERA AND HENDY MATCH SAFE [161891]

3 mining stereoviews. Brass Joshua Hendy Machine Works match safe, 2.5x1.5". 6 mining letterheads, some pictorial, c. 1885-1909. 2 JS Cain, Bodie, receipt cards. 1947 Auburn Gold Rush Revival program. Calico Ghost Town 1952. Jerome, AZ. 2 catalogs from Risdon Iron Works, 1897 with nice hydraulic mining photos. Souvenir of Rawhide Nevada 1908 booklet with foldout panorama of the town. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4274 - EXPLOSIVE DRILL HOLE CLEANING RODS, 2 [161995]

2 rusty explosives drill hole cleaning rods with cupped ends. 36" and 26" long. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4275 - GOLD MEDAL EXPLOSIVES WOOD BOX [161908]

Vintage Gold Medal Explosives wood box with red and black lettering. Dated March 20, 1957. 9x13.5x18.5" 5.5lbs. Horizontal side crack. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4276 - MINE LIGHTING LAMPS, 2 [161522]

Dew-R-Lite superintendent lamp, 6x3" plus handle, appears to be in dug condition. New in box Premier Acetylene Cap Lamp, box 5x3x4.5". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4277 - FOLDING CANDLE LANTERN, OIL CAN AND 2 MINING TOOLS [161906]

Stonebridge Folding Lantern, patented 1908-designed to be used with a candle 10x4.5x4.25", some flaking on clear sides and .5" perforation. Red metal railroad Eagle Oiler oil can with long spout 32.5x4". Crudely made rusty metal miner's dynamite hole cleaner from Austin, NV, 44". metal perforated spoon 18.25x3". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4278 - MINER'S LUNCH BOX, STORE SAMPLE AND STONE ARTIFACT [161544]

Cute little store sample miner's lunch box, stamped on bottom-Pat'd May 17 1887 3.5x3.75x2.5". Circular stone with concave top, unknown purpose. 1x1.5", bottom chip. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum

Lot: 4279 - BERYL V. AQUAMARINE FROM NAMIBIA [162750]

An unusually greenish-blue aquamarine crystal cluster on feldspar matrix from Erongo Mountain, Namibia. Typically the aquamarine found in the many gem-bearing pegmatite veins on and around Erongo Mountain have more of a sky-blue color. The aquamarine crystals on this specimen are also large for the area, they have brilliant luster, and are transparent to translucent. A very attractive collector-quality mineral specimen. Erongo Mountain is one of Namibia's most popular tourist attractions. The 2,320 meter tall Erongo Mountain is an eroded relic of a volcano that was active some 140-150 million years ago. It collapsed in on its magma chamber, allowing the basin to fill with slow-cooling igneous material which is the source for the many gem-bearing pegmatites in the area. This roughly circular massif, dominates the flat plains west of Omaruru and gives the Erongo region its name. Dimensions (cm): 5 H x 11.3 W x 6 D. Location: Erongo Mountain, Usakos & Omaruru District, Namibia Date: Country (if not USA): Namibia State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4280 - FLUORITE, CALCITE [150811]

lot of 5. Largest is 9x4x6. Two boxes of magnetite "Rattlesnake eggs." 30n lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4281 - GEODE SLAB GROUP - 9 PIECES [147817]

Nine geodes slabs of various sizes and colors from approximately 6 x 5 x 1 inches to 2.75 x 1.5 x 0.125 inches. Two of the thin slices appear to have been dyed blue, and one has been dyed hot pink! One is nearly transparent with the pattern of quartz crystal visible when held up to the light, almost like frost on a windowpane. The largest two have felt backing on them to use as paperweights. A nice group to use in craft projects or to sell individually in your business. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4282 - VOLCANIC SAPPHIRE MASS [159192]

1 inch sapphire in gray volcanic mass fine grained .13 x 9"x 4"thick euhedral sapphire Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4283 - SPECULAR HEMATITE - 14.4 POUNDS [146159]

Fine-grained, specular hematite with thin reddish-brown oxidation. Some fresh surfaces show shiny metallic luster. Very dense and weighs 14.4 pounds. 9 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4284 - DESERT ROSE [150836]

Desert Rose measures 7x6x5". 5 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4285 - DESERT ROSE [150835]

Desert Rose measures 12x7x5". 5 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4286 - CALCITE [150840]

Calcite crystal formation. 8x9x7". Approx. 25lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4287 - CALCITE [150852]

Calcite 7x7x4. Excellent quality, beautiful display piece. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4288 - CALCITE [150834]

Calcite 14x10x4. Approx. 10-15 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4289 - CORAL, CALCITE AND QUARTZ [150813]

Lot of 3. Coral fossil w/base, one calcite and one quartz. Largest 10x7x3". approx. 20 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4290 - CALCITE CRYSTALS [159181]

Calcite crystals, very light pink, 1 inch cubes, 19 x 4 x 10". Nice piece. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4291 - CALCITE CRYSTALS [159180]

18"x 3"x 11". Light rose color calcite crystals approximately 1 inch in diameter nice specimen . No Base Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4292 - CALCITE AND QUARTZ [150842]

Lot of 2. Calcite 12x4x4 ", Quartz crystals 09x6x3". 10 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4293 - MIX OF QUARTZ AND CALCITE. [150820]

Lot of 14. Largest is 6x5x4", two boxes of magnetite (Rattlesnake Eggs). Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4294 - QUARTZ AND CALCITE [150841]

Lot of 15. Quartz and Calcite crystals. Largest is 8x6x4". Approx. 10 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4295 - QUARTZ CRYSTALS [150826]

Lot of 14. Group of quartz two w/bases. Largest 6x5x3. Two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4296 - POLISHED BROWN QUARTZ STONE [159190]

Polished oblong orb, 9 inch brown quartz, 9"x 5"x 17". Possibly not polished but varnished Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4297 - POLISHED QUARTZ CRYSTALS, 2 [150814]

Two tall polished quartz crystals. Approx. 4x4x12". About 13.5 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4298 - MINERAL VARIETY GRAB BAG [162667]

This is an assortment of various mineral specimens for you to examine and enjoy. Here are come clues to help you identify what the lot includes: 30 pyrope garnets with diameters between 0.75 and 1.25 inches; a cut and rough-polished grey geode; a rough, a 1.75-inch-long, doubly terminated, smoky quartz crystal; mystery mineral 1: dark grey crystals with small white, bladed crystals (barite?); botryoidal pyrite crystals on clear fluorite matrix; three pieces of chalcedony or chert; 1-inch long, 1/2-inch wide segmented fossil; 4.5 x 3 x 1.75 inch crystalline white marble with 4mm and smaller bright red crystals (possibly spinel); and two, lightweight, plumose specimens of unknown origin and composition. A nice set to challenge your mineral identification skills. See photo for relative sizes and forms. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4299 - FISH FOSSIL DIPLOMYTSUS [159122]

29x23x1. Diplomytsus in box . Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4300 - DIPLOCERCIDES [159123]

30x1x24. Fish pair Diplocercides. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4301 - BANDED LIMESTONE [159187]

10"x 1"x 8"banded limestone or sandstone, probably varnished, nice dendritic patterns at base. Red wood base. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4302 - BIVALVE GROUP [150845]

Lot of 3. Three Bivalves largest 8x4x6". Approx. 15-20lbs Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4303 - BIVALVES [150816]

Lot of 4. Gray in color. Largest 12x6x5". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4304 - BIVALVES [150815]

lot of 3. Gray in color. Largest 12x6x5 ". approx. 20 lbs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4305 - TWO BIVALVES [150846]

Lot of 2. Two large bivalves. Largest 12x8x6", approx. 30lbs Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4306 - BIVALVES /BUGS/INSECTS [150822]

Lot of 16. Fossilized insects and bugs, bivalves and four boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4307 - BIVALVES, INSECTS, MAGNETITE [150823]

Lot 20. Fossilized insects, bivalves, includes one base, two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4308 - BUGS, BIVALVES AND MAGNETITE [150827]

Lot of 13. Fossilized insects, bivalves, AND two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4309 - BIVALVE, INSECT FOSSILS [162990]

Lot of 11.One Bivalve, Insect fossils largest is 5x5x1". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4310 - BIVALVE AND FOSSIL INSECTS [162993]

Lot of 11. One Bivalve, Insect fossils largest is 5x5x1". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4311 - BIVALVE AND FOSSIL INSECTS [150859]

Lot of. 12. One Bivalve, fossilized insects largest 3x4x1' Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4312 - BIVALVE AND FOSSIL INSECTS [150857]

Lot of 8. Two Bivalves. Fossilized insect largest 6x5x2" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4313 - BIVALVE AND FOSSILIZED INSECTS [150869]

Lot of 11. One Bivalve, Insect fossils largest is 5x5x1". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4314 - BIVALVE, FOSSIL INSECTS [162991]

Lot of 11. One Bivalve, Insect fossils largest is 5x5x1". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4315 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS AND BIVALVES [150832]

Lot of 14. More insects and bivalves and two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4316 - INSECT FOSSILS AND BIVALVE [150856]

Lot of10. One Bivalve, remainder fossilized insects largest 7x3x2" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4317 - INSECT FOSSILS AND BIVALVE [162992]

Lot of 10. One Bivalve, Insect fossils largest is 5x5x1". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4318 - INSECT FOSSILS, BIVALVE, MAGNETITE [150865]

Lot of 12. Two boxes of magnetite, one bivalve, insect fossils largest is 7x6x1" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4319 - AMBER WITH INSECTS [157557]

Two pieces of amber with insects trapped inside. Orange (24 x 10 mm) and red (17 x 19 mm). Choice pieces. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Gary Bracken Collection

Lot: 4320 - BIVALVE, MAGNETITE, FOSSILIZED INSECTS [150867]

Lot of 13. Two boxes of magnetite, one bivalve, oh fossilized shell and insect fossils largest 5x4x1" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4321 - BIVALVE, MAGNETITE, INSECT FOSSILS [150866]

Lot of 13. One Bivalve, two magnetite, fossilized insects and shells. Largest 5x6x1 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4322 - MAGNETITE, BIVALVE AND INSECT FOSSILS [150858]

Lot of 14. One Bivalve, two boxes of "Rattlesnake Eggs", fossilized shell and insects largest 7x7x2 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4323 - MAGNETITE, BIVALVES AND INSECT FOSSILS [150860]

Lot of 16. Two Bivalves, two boxes of Magnetite "rattlesnake eggs", fossilized shell and insects largest 2x3" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4324 - MAGNETITE, BIVALVE, INSECT FOSSILS [150864]

Lot of 12. One bivalve, two boxes of Magnetite, fossilized insects largest 7x6x2" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4325 - MORE INSECTS, BIVALVES AND MAGNETITE [150830]

Lot 13. Fossilized insects, bivalves. wo boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4326 - COLLECTION OF BUGS, BIVALVES AND MORE. [150828]

Lot 25. Fossilized insects and shells, two bivalves, two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs" and more. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4327 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS AND BIVALVES [150831]

Lot of 13. More insects and bivalves and two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4328 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS, BIVALVES, CORAL AND QUARTZ [150821]

Lot 13. Mix of Bugs/insects, quartz, Bivalves. There are three bases included. Two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4329 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS. [150819]

Lot of 16. Cut into squares no larger than 3x3". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4330 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS. MAGNETITE [150824]

Lot of 24. Entire Swarm of Fossilized insects, bivalves. Two bases are included. Two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4331 - MAGNETITE, FOSSIL INSECTS [150825]

Lot of 11. Fossilized insects. bivalve. Two bases includes. Two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4332 - FOSSILIZED INSECTS/BUGS [150818]

Lot of 13. Fossils are in 2x2" squares, one loose shell fossil. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4333 - CRINOID PLATE [150853]

Crinoidea Plate 11x10x2". Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous from Guizhou Province. Approx. 10lbs Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4334 - CRINOID PLATE [150854]

Crinoidea Plate 11x10x2". Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous from Guizhou Province. Approx. 10lbs Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4335 - FOSSIL CORAL [150849]

Fossil coral w large open area exposing the interior. 8x6x5" Very Nice Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4336 - FOSSIL CORAL [149091]

Fossilized coral w/base. 16x8x4 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4337 - CORAL AND BIVALVES [150847]

Lot of 2. Coral fossil 8x6x4". Bivalve 8x7x6". Heavy Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4338 - CORAL FOSSIL [150851]

Coral Fossil 12x7x5" Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4339 - CORAL, BUGS AND BIVALVES [150829]

Lot of 17. Two bivalves, fossilized insects, bugs and coral. And don't forget two boxes of magnetite (rattlesnake eggs". Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4340 - FOSSIL CORAL [150848]

Lot of 2. Two fossil coral specimens : 9x8x6"and 8x6x5". Approx. 10lbs Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4341 - FOSSIL CORAL AND MAGNETITE (RATTLESNAKE EGGS). [150810]

Lot of two pieces of fossilized coral : 8x6.5x4 and 7.5x5.5x5 ". Two boxes (gift style) of Rattle Snake Eggs (magnetite). Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4342 - POLISHED FOSSIL TABLE TOP SLAB [161913]

Very attractive polished fossil slab that will make a great table top or display. 21x37.5", 58 lbs. A few surface scratches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:

Lot: 4343 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149191]

Sculpture made of the polished roots of a Chinese boxwood tree which had grown around a rock. Carved eagle or falcon. 17x15x26 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4344 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149188]

Sculpture made of the polished roots of a boxwood tree which had grown around a rock. This carved figure is of a Budda seated the base of the root w/carving of fans up the sculpture. Custom-made wood base included. Approx. 12x10x30" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4345 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149187]

Sculptured and polished roots of a Chinese boxwood tree which had grown around a calcareous rock . This carved figure is of a seated Budda. Custom-made wood base included. 12x7x39". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4346 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149192]

Sculpture made of the polished roots of a Chinese boxwood tree which had grown around a calcareous rock. This carved figure is of two horses hitched and hauling the rock. Custom-made wood base included . Approx. 30x9x16". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4347 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149189]

Sculpture made of the polished roots of a boxwood tree which had grown around a rock. This carved figure is of a Porpoise chasing a ball. Custom-made wood base included. Approx. 18x8x20" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4348 - BOXWOOD TREE ROOT & STONE SCULPTURE [149190]

Sculpture made of the polished roots of a boxwood tree which had grown around a rock. Carved .Budda and a figure bowing, on a base. 17x24x12" Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4349 - VIEWING STONE CHINA [149097]

Naturally sculpted Chinese viewing stone with a shape of lighter, sandstone nodule securely affixed to a darker black limestone base. Custom-made wood base included. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4350 - CALCITE VIEWING STONE [159195]

Pink calcite on limestone 9 x 6 x 21". With base Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4351 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [159238]

12x6x16". Dark brown river rock view stone. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4352 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149111]

Chinese Viewing Stone. Blk-Wht-Gray. Appears twisted. Custom wood stand. 18x7x12" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4353 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149094]

Naturally sculpted Chinese viewing stone with an shape of lighter, sandstone nodule securely affixed to a darker black limestone base. Custom-made wood base included. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4354 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149096]

Large dark grey lingbi stone with veins through it and a interesting shape. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4355 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149099]

Chinese river stone brown and black. Looks like caramel was poured over it. Custom base is included. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4356 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149105]

Chinese viewing stone made of black limestone with deep, weathered striations w/lots of character. Custom made stand. 8x4x15". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4357 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149107]

Lingbi Viewing Scholars Stone.. Black w/deep striations. Red and brown colors. Custom made wooden stand. approx. 14x9x16" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4358 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149116]

Multi colored viewing stone. Jade green, black, yellow and white. Smooth and rounded on custom made wood stand. Approx. 18x5x5" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4359 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149179]

Viewing stone, River stone. Gray-Blk w/striations. Custom wood stand. Approx. 12x4x14 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4360 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149180]

Beautiful viewing stone. Jade green-yellow-black-white colors. Smooth and appearing polished on custom wood stand. 11x8x20 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4361 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149181]

Viewing Stone. River stone. approx. 15x7x10 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4362 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149182]

Viewing Stone. River stone. approx. 15x7x10 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4363 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE [149185]

Chinese Viewing Stone, black/gray/orange erosion on a custom wood base. approx.17x17x7" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4364 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE -LINGBI STONE [149115]

Lingbi Viewing Stone Black/tan/gray w/striations. Orange erosion. Custom Made stand. Approx. 11x5x16. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4365 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE RED TAIHU STONE [149102]

Chinese Viewing Stone surface has deep erosion. Custom Stand. 10x5x12". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4366 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE. [149109]

Slate Viewing Stone w/custom stand. Red and dark gray. 16x9x12". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4367 - CUSTOM BASE W/SHELL [159186]

19x10x7" custom wood base, brown and black w/differential shell. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4368 - GREEN & WHITE MARBLE VIEWING STONE [159191]

Tall Chinese viewing stone in bright green, white, and grey marble. Rounded boulder of marble streaked with epidote with a very glossy finish. On a red finished wood base. A impressive beauty! 19 x 48 x 12 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4369 - VIEWING STONE [149098]

12 x 6 x 19". Nice rounded soft white, gray and red colors . Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4370 - VIEW STONE -WULING [149092]

Wuling/Red Mountain View stone w/base. 18x5x9. Gray, brown layers formed by wind and river erosion.. Considered a very sought after Gongshi (Spirit Stone). Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4371 - VIEW STONE FROM CHINA [149186]

Chinese Lingbi Viewing Stone. Custom made stand. Approx. 18x11x6" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4372 - VIEWING STONE [149101]

Viewing stone, brown w/custom stand. 10x6x12 ". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4373 - VIEWING STONE [149104]

Chinese Viewing Stone rounded river rock w/two nodules. Looks kind of like a walrus. 15x7x9'. Custom wood stand. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4374 - VIEWING STONE [149106]

Chinese viewing stone, striations. Custom wood stand. 13x9x17", large stone. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4375 - VIEWING STONE [149108]

Viewing stone w/striations and erosion through it. On custom wood base. Gray w/red. Approx. 18x6x10" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4376 - VIEWING STONE [149114]

Chinese Viewing Stone. White and Black Possible polished. Custom Wood Stand. 7x4x19. Looks like ghost made by a sheet. Very attractive. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4377 - VIEWING STONE [149183]

Viewing Stone. Black-white-jade green colors on custom wood base. Approx. 9x8x17. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4378 - VIEWING STONE [149184]

Lingbi Viewing Stone. Black and gray w/orange colors. Unusual and interesting shape on custom wood base. 14x6x9". Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4379 - VIEWING STONE - RIVER STONE [149103]

Viewing Stone - River Stone , gray/brn w/custom stand. 8x5x8 Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4380 - VIEWING STONE CHINA [149100]

Large brown orb, 12"x 8"x 22"with wood base. Possibly Lacquered or varnished. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4381 - VIEWING STONE-LINGBI [149112]

Lingbi Viewing Stone, name has a ring to it. Looks like a seated owl. Approx. 11x8x20". Custom wood stand. Gray w/wht striations and red color erosion.. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4382 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE - LINGBI STONE [149095]

Large dark grey lingbi stone with veins through it and a very interesting shape. Comes with wood base. 12" x4 x18" Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4383 - CHINESE VIEWING STONE, LINGBI [149110]

Lingbi viewing stone, weathered w/deep striations and erosion. Custom base. Approx. 12x7x20" Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4384 - LARGE BROWN ORB [159182]

Large gray brown orb, 12"x 3"x 18"with wood base. Lacquered or varnished. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4385 - LARGE VIEW STONE [159188]

Large vertical stone 39 x 6 x 33", Brown limestone on custom would base. Very attractive. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4386 - VIEWING STONE [149090]

View Stone Large brown w/base, 14x4x12 Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4387 - VIEWING STONE [159183]

12 x 6 x 19", shellacked. Nice rounded soft white and gray colors. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4388 - VIEWING STONE [159185]

18 " x 5"x 12". Light orange brown compression in gray shell. Very attractive piece. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4389 - VIEWING STONE [159193]

View stone, resembles a lion facing left, 21" x 6"x 12"tall. Wood Base. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4390 - VIEWING STONE [159194]

17"x 14 x 9"tall, view stone composed of a botryoidal textures, stalactite cave formation . Wood Base Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4391 - VIEWING STONES [150817]

Lot of 2. Two view stones w/bases. One red stone. Largest 10x9x4. Heavy. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4392 - VIEWING STONES [150850]

Lot of 5. One Chrysanthemum fossil view stone 5x7x2"w/stand . Four view stones w/stands. Largest 11x5x3"all w/stands. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4393 - VIEW STONES AND MINI GOBI'S [150843]

Lot of 4. Two View stone book ends , 7x4 x3". Two Gobi stones w/stands, 2x2x2" Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4394 - GOBI STONE [159196]

Gobi stone. 15x8x4". Medium gray. No base. Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4395 - GOBI STONE [159199]

Gobi stone. 24"x 6"x 10". resembles a road runner if mounted properly . or a horse, light medium gray . Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4396 - GOBI STONE [159197]

Gobi stone. 22 x 7 x 10". Medium gray. No base. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4397 - GOBI STONE [159198]

Gobi stone. When displayed horizontally resembles a Dragon's head. 36"x 7 "x14" . No Base Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4398 - GOBI GROUP [150844]

Lot of 13. Two Gobi Stone Bookends 9x3x3". Remaining Gobi stones range from 2x2"to 9x3x3", some w/bases. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4399 - RED GOBI STONE [159184]

Red Gobi stone. 14 x 9x 9 inches. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection

Lot: 4400 - VIEW AND GOBI STONES [150855]

Lot of 5. Two View Stone Bookends. Three Gobi stones Approx. 2x2" Date: Country (if not USA): China State: City: Provenance: Chunlin Zhu Collection