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Freeman & Co. and Adams & Co. Gold Rush Receipts, Sacramento [155394]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Freeman & Co. and Adams & Co. Gold Rush Receipts, Sacramento [155394]
SOLD
170.00USDto B*****8+ buyer's premium (34.00)
This item SOLD at 2022 Dec 03 @ 20:44UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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Lot of 4. John M. Freeman started his express service between San Francisco and Sacramento at the beginning of the gold rush in California (July 1850). Freeman & Company connected with Adams Express, Todd & Company, and Berfords Express. He competed with Palmer & Co. Express but the latter shipped on a semi-monthly basis at that period. Freeman sold out to Adams in Nov, 1851 and became their agent in Sacramento. 1) Freeman & Co's Express. Two documents: a) Deposit receipt, October 3rd, 1851, for Inlietta Ames for $1200. Signed Wm. G. Trelerton. 4.5 x 7.5" Folds, discoloration. b) Unused shipping receipt. Dateline Sacramento City, 185-. Lists all of the Adams & Co. offices outside of California (on the left border).5.5 x 10.5" Wear to edges. 2) Adams & Company. Two pieces: a) Second of Exchange. Handwritten Sacramento City dateline above preprinted San Francisco. July 13th, 1852. Issued to Amos E. Strong for $300. Three vignettes: placer mining scene, allegorical women, and state seal. Printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.4 x 8.5" Folds, creases, toning. b) Special Deposit form, Sacramento, Nov. 26th, 1851. James Birch has deposited $1,100 in coin (Placer Gold crossed out). Left side lists all of the Adams & Co. offices. Bottom right corner torn off. Endorsed on the back by James Birch. Birch was a key figure in early California transportation. He was founder of the first stage line in Northern California and who later became President of the California Stage Company and under whose control acquired many smaller stage lines to monopolize early California stage transportation in the mid-1850s. 4 x 6.75"
James E. Birch was on the S.S.Central America when the ship went down in 1857. A fascinating story can be found on Wikipedia about how he did not survive the shipwreck though he clung to wreckage in the water along with a sentimental silver cup which ended up aiding 3 others who used the cup to collect rainwater that helped them survive for 9 days before finally being rescued. Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Birch_(entrepreneur) and here https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97437917/james-e-birch

Lot also comes with a printed copy of an early photo of the Adams & Co. / Freeman & Co. office.

Date: 1851-52
Country (if not USA):
State: California
City: Sacramento
Provenance: