1035
Bullion Gold & Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate, Mazourka Canyon, Inyo County, 1861 [166870]
Currency:USD
Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Mining
Start Price:1,000.00 USD
Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
CURRENT BID
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
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Live Online Auction Starts In
2025 Jan 31 @ 08:00 (UTC-8 : PST/AKDT)
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This is a fantastic piece. Not seen before by us. It tells an exceptionally rare and important story about the beginning of mining in Inyo County, California. We also have had, and may have in this sale also, some native gold nuggets from Mazourka Canyon.
"Mazourka Quartz Lode, Russ Mining District, Tulare County, Cal." (printed on the left border). Inc. July 26, 1861. No. 33, issued for 50 shares to Geo. V. Hight in San Francisco on August 12th, 1861. Signed by president Edward Mackinley, Secretary T.H. Goodman, and treasurer Geo. Wheeler. Not cancelled. Pen ink transfer on reverse. Blue ink, Towne & Bacon Printers. 5.25 x 9.5" Folds, toning from the ink.
Names on the Certificate
Secretary TH Goodman was part of the original exploration party in 1860 with Col. HP Russ (namesake of the district). Their expedition, known as the New World Mining & Exploration Company, had formed in San Francisco. Russ and Dr. SG George located the Union lode and organized the Russ District. Later, Goodman replaced Captain Winne to command Company G, which was part of the 157 men sent in May 1862 to establish a fort in Owens Valley because of growing hostilities with the Coso Indians. This fort became Camp Independence. [Chalfant]
President Edward Mackinley is listed as an attorney in San Francisco in the 1861 directory. The stock is issued to George V. Hight. Hight was involved in navigation on the San Joaquin River and Tuolumne River in 1860, and listed as the commander of the steamer Henrietta (Kings River) in 1858 and steamer Ellen Craig (Sacramento) in 1855. His name is referenced in multiple newspaper articles in the 1850s as a respected river captain in California.
History of the District
This stock lists the district in Tulare County. Inyo County was not formed until 1866. Mazourka (named after a dance) Canyon is north of Lone Pine and east of Independence. The Russ Mining District was founded in 1860. In a July 1861 Placer Herald article, it is noted that the Russ District laws govern the Inyo District until new laws are written. The Inyo District abuts the eastern boundary of the Russ and was formerly created in February 1863.
A major mine of the Russ District was the Union Company which reported assays of $300-1500/ton in December 1862. They had built a mill in May of that year.
But May 1862 was not a quiet one. Coso Indians were in control of Owens Valley. Wagons parties were being attacked. Peter Abel and 13 others had been massacred. According to Chalfant, the information reaching Los Angeles was that the Indians had acquired 100 American rifles (from where?), there were 1,000-1,200 warriors in the valley and that "practically every white habitation east of the Sierra and north of Walker's Pass had been destroyed." Troops were sent from Fort Churchill Nevada and Los Angeles to found a military fort in the valley (Camp Independence). A treaty was reached that October.
We did not find any reference to a Bullion Mining Company in Inyo County in CDNC (or 1861 Langley SF). This stock, issued before the Indian troubles, and with key names and signatures, is a pioneer snapshot of the founding of mining in Inyo County. It is thus exceptionally important.
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Date: 1861
Country (if not USA):
State: California
City: Inyo County
Provenance:
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview
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Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
8.375% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
| CSST |
8% |
California Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
Additional Fees:
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Live Auction conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC (HWAC)
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From: to: Increment:
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$100 $190 $10
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$1,500 $3,400 $100
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$30,000 up $1000
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