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1953 Montana Brand Book & Merchants Nat'l. Bank

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
1953 Montana Brand Book & Merchants Nat'l. Bank
Featured in this lot is a 1953 Montana Brand Book & Merchants Nat'l. Bank Helena, Montana Account Books from 1884, 1886, 1892. The Montana Brand Book covers the counties of Madison, Beaverhead, Jefferson and Silver Bow. The book legend has the abbreviations of brand locations on livestock. Montana's first livestock brand registered was the Square and Compass; it is still in use, registered to the Matador Ranch of Beaverhead county, Montana . No one knows when it was first used; but it was before May 25, 1872, when it became necessary to date and register brands then in use. It was first owned by Poindexter & Orr Cattle Livestock Co. of Beaverhead County, Montana Territory. Cattle rustling is still a significant problem in many parts of Big Sky Country, particularly the eastern part of the state. Livestock are worth a lot of money, and brands help investigators identify when an animal is being sold illegally. Helena, Montana became the financial center of Montana during the mining boom years and Merchants' National was part of that era and a casualty of the Panic of 1893. All four books have tan softcovers; nicely preserved documents of Montana's history. Largest book (Brand Book) measures 5"W x 8.5"L, total books weight approximate 14oz