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385

John Sutter

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
John Sutter

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Auction Date:2010 Jul 14 @ 22:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
An archive including a unique manuscript penned by Sutter, referring to himself as “The Man who gave Gold to California and to the World…redeemed half a Hemisphere and saved America from Bankruptcy…” and a fantastic Gold Nugget Ring, most probably a Sutter presentation.

(1) Autograph Manuscript signed in the text, “Genl Sutter” one page, 8.25 x 10.5, no date, circa 1870s, on lightly lined paper. Titled “That Old Millrace.” In full, “With the most cordial esteem Inscribed To The Man who gave the Gold to California, and to the World. Air Byrons ‘Ruddy Wine What tongue can describe it What pencil can trace the Wonders disclosed, Through that Old Millrace? Repeat that Old Millrace Cambyces May conquer – Atilla deface And the Tartar destroy every work of our race But what are the actions of One and of all - How will they compare? By my troth not-at-all. Repeat = What tongue can describe it &c. There are five or six other Verses comming [sic] down through all time & comparing the Deeds of Alexander, Caesar, Frederick, Napoleon, Wellington &c &c. and shewing [sic] that their acts only brought effusion of blood, devastation & ruin; but the deeds of this single Man (Genl Sutter) redeemed half a Hemisphere and saved America from Bankrupcy [sic].” Intersecting folds and some scattered light soiing otherwise f.ine condition.

(2) ALS, signed “Francis D. Clark, Secretary,” one page, 8 x 10, Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California letterhead, July 26, 1876. To S.C. Upham, Philadelphia. In full, “I am instructed by this society to tender you their thanks for your kind offer to write a Poem to be read on the 9th of September next at the re-union of Californians at Phila. and to say that your offer has been accepted. I am this day in receipt of a letter from Genl Sutter the veteran pioneer saying that he shall if alive be with us, he is a member of our society.” The letter is affixed to an 8.5 x 11.25 page. Three items are affixed on the reverse: (a) 5 x 2.5 pictorial ticket to the September 9, 1876 Re-Union of Californians at Globe Hotel, Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, listing Francis D. Clark as Secretary and Treasurer (b) 2.5 x 6.5 silk-like ribbon captioned “Re-Union of Californians, Philadelphia, September 9, 1876,” and (c) 2.25 x 5.75 two-part silk-like ribbon imprinted in gold “The Associated / Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California New York 1875.”

(3) Gold nuggets mounted on a silver ring, most probably presented to Upham by Gen. Sutter.

(4) Program for the Fourth Annual Banquet of The Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California, Celebration of the Thirty-first Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold At Sutter’s Saw Mill, at the Sturtevant House, New York, Monday Evening, January 20, 1878, four pages, 5.75 x 9.25.

(5) Printing of The Land We Adore. By Samuel C. Upham, a ‘Forty-niner,’ one page, 8.5 x 1. Philadelphia, 1877. Headed: “The following poem written for the occasion, was read by the author at the celebration of the Twenty-Seventh Anniversary of the admission of California into the Union, held at the Ocean Hotel, Long Branch, N.J., Sept. 8th, 1877, under the auspices of ‘the Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California:’” Footnotes explain the references in the poem including the lines “Others are present, with locks frosted by age, / Whose names add new luster to history’s page”; referring to “Generals John A. Sutter and John C. Fremont.”

(6) Program for the “Re-Union of Californians. Celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Admission of California into the Union, Under the Auspices of the Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California, at Ocean Hotel, Long Branch, New Jersey, Saturday, September 8, 1877,” four pages, 3.25 x 5.5. The front depicts a bear captioned “California 1850. 1877. / Pioneers.” The fourth page lists the members of the arrangements, invitation, and reception committees. Pages two and three lists the program including “Introduction by the President of General John A. Sutter, Pioneer of 1838.”

In overall fine condition.

This terrific archive honors the man who, rightfully so, dubbed himself the “man who gave gold to California.” The various pieces nicely interlock with the manuscript, most likely written by Sutter for Upham, a man known for composing songs for special occasions, especially ones relating to California and the Gold Russh. The ring was probably presented by Sutter to the same gentleman in gratitude for his poems. In an 1858 magazine article, Sutter had written of bestowing a similar ring made of California gold—likely the man’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to select individuals.
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