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W.O. Sleeper - Gold Receipt, rec'd from Dounall & Co. (RARE!) [169255]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Mining Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
W.O. Sleeper - Gold Receipt, rec'd from Dounall & Co. (RARE!)  [169255]
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Assay Office of W.O. Sleeper - Columbia, CA, July 5, 1865, No 1111. Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited by Dounall & Co. This receipt is extremely rare. During the past 30 years of collecting and dealing in Americana we have never seen or been informed of another example. The receipt measures 11 x 4.75, and was printed in a light brownish colored ink on buff colored paper. The printer is not identified. The gold weight upon delivery, or before melting, is not recorded. However, the weight after melting is listed as 35.90 oz, Fineness .895, and Value of Gold at $664.18. A commission of $2 was charged by the assayer, Fed tax is listed as $3.32, and the cost for Mint freight at $16.56. The Net after all costs was recorded as $642.30. There is a handwritten note on the reverse duplicating some of the information already cited. On the reverse side is the notation, ìJuly 5, 1865, Bullion sold by O. Sleeper $642.30. The receipts condition is generally Very Fine, but there are indications along the top edge of it having been in a scrapbook. Additionally, there are typical ìpocket-type folds and some minor foxing and stains. R8 quite possibly Unique. Item #82 Holabird-Kagin Americanas The Rush for Gold Catalog Summer 2008. William Osgood Sleeper was a banker who came west in 1852 leaving his family in Maine. After becoming prosperous in Columbia, he sent for his family and wife, Almira Foss Sleeper. After the bank in Columbia closed in 1867, they moved first to San Francisco and later Santa Rosa. History of the Historic Brick building in Columbia, the D.O. Mills Building: In 1854 D.O. Mills is the sole owner of the brick building with a secret passage leading to the assay and smelting office. The counter in the bank is of mahogany with black walnut trim and carved moldings. In July 1854 a large fire broke out in Columbia burning much of the town. In June of 1855, W.O. Sleeper opens his bank in the new brick Bean building sharing the Pacific Express space. In 1857 D.O. and Edgar Mills sell their business to W.O. Sleeper and A. E. Hooker for $10,000. Sleeper opens his bank. In 1860 A. E. Hooker sells to Sleeper for $7500. 1861 March W.O. Sleeper buys the hotel and sells it to Westley, Wilder and Wheeler who remodel the building and change the name to ìThe Post Office Building and open a bookstore and stationery in addition to the post office. In 1861 the assay office moves into the post office space and the telegraph office moves out. In 1865, Sleeper, facing financial problems, is forced into selling to William C. Ralston from San Francisco for $5,000. http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/historicstructures_files/domills.html. Size: 11 x 4.75 inches. Columbia California 1865