2158

Extremely Rare William Ralston Signature on Montana check 1870 [173866]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Extremely Rare William Ralston Signature on Montana check  1870  [173866]
SOLD
85.00USD+ (21.25) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2023 Dec 08 @ 11:07UTC-8 : PST/AKDT

Shipping is billed separately. Pay your auction invoice early as purchases are packed in the order payments are received. Pick-up must be scheduled 24 hours in advance when you receive your shipping preference email after the auction. Invoices will go out immediately after the auction ends.

The check is a nice revenue imprinted L. H. Hershfield & Bro. of Helena. Dated 1870. Signed by W. C. Ralston on reverse. In the early 1860s, Lewis Hershfield journeyed with a team of oxen from Leavenworth, Kansas to Central City, Colorado. In Colorado, Hershfield collected 26 wagons full of dry goods. He drove this collection of goods through Colorado and Utah and settled in Virginia City, Montana in 1864. He found success among the miners of Virginia City. In addition to his dry goods store, he established a bank, storing gold as well as exchanging gold dust for money. This check finds its way to the Bank of California and William Chapman Ralston. Ralston was a San Franciscan businessman and financier, and was the founder of the Bank of California. With riches derived from Nevada's Comstock Lode,& #8202; he became one of the richest and most powerful men in California. He founded the Bank of California and was known for having a nothing-is-impossible attitude. San Francisco California