2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
(1) three page beautifully penned letter by a gold miner up in the "diggins" from "Downieville, California March 31, 1858" to his son back east. The fourth (back) page a printed news sheet of March 20 [1858] with then current events. Headline: "THE PICTORIAL NEWS LETTER…FOR THE STEAMER SONORA." 5 column print and large portrait of Mormon leader "BRIGHAM YOUNG." Much of the news concerns the then ensuing conflict between the Mormons and the established authority of the U.S.; the unrest and open defiance taking place (which the miner actually mentions in his letter to his son: "…I expect that the Utah [i.e. Mormon] War is one of the most interesting topics in the Atlantic states, therefore I send you a portrait of Brigham Young…") Much other printed news about goings-on in the mines and California, etc.; by-line "Pub. semi-monthly by Hutchings &Rosenfield…San Francisco." Some dust lines where once folded and few ink spots on top of two columns. The neatly penned three page letter with lots of fatherly advice to son; writes of sending the local newspapers; directions to have son hire horse and carriage to make visits to family friends advising him to ask stable "…to give you a kind horse and don't drive too fast…" Also writes "There is so much snow on the mountains that it will make good times for the mines in the dry diggings this spring." Light aging. Few tiny short tears on edges. (2) another rare lettersheet-broadside "Pub. by J. F. Larrabee, San Francisco" with four varied size illustrations of "WAY-SIDE SCENES IN CALIFORNIA." Printed textual material and captions describe each; the top three illus. represent views seen by the "…stranger as he ascends the mountains towards the mining towns or passes from one mining district to another" with details of the various Indians "…in every stage of filth and pitch carrying their papoose or baskets of food on their backs"[and]…chinamen…negroes…Mexicans" that the stranger would meet along the way. Large bottom illus. depicts battle by two groups of "Chinamen" fought at "Five Cent Gulch, Weaverville, Trinity county California on July 15, 1854" with details of the bloody fight, its many deaths, the burial parties, etc. Although the letter itself (on reverse of broadside) lacks its two first pages…it is written by the same miner who wrote prior described letter from Downieville, this addressed to daughter in Philadelphia…with full signature. Offers advice to that young lady telling her "…to be a prudent, economical girl and let not your mind be allowed to be carried away with useless ornaments and finery which can only be calculated to please the eye and have no earthly use whatever…" Adds notes to his son advising him to keep up the family's spirits "…while I am 5,800 miles away from home working hard to get money so that I may be able to bring all my children up in a respectable way and give them good education…" Also writes of old family friend who just arrived "…amidst great danger. He was on the Steamer Virgin on Lake Nicaragua that was fired into at St. Carlos with a 24lb. ball, killing a woman and two children." Small, short tears and thin nicks on blank edges of outer margins of broadside only, but all intact. Both letters together.
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