SOLD
850.00USDto floor+ buyer's premium
This item SOLD at 2006 Dec 12 @ 15:14UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
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<B>Sutro Tunnel </B>1872. #1304. <B>100 shs. </B>An impressive, 6 1/4 inch high prospector with a pick ax occupies the entire left side, while a train pulls cars filled with ore to a mill on the Carson River. Wonderful graphics and an important piece of Western mining history. Britton & Rey, San Francisco. <B>VF+</B>.* <BR> By 1864 the owners of the fabulous Comstock Lode silver mines were at an impasse. The Ophir, the Gould and the Curry had yielded riches almost beyond belief, but the antiquated mining methods employed all but killed the golden goose. The shafts and tunnels were now deep in the heart of the mountain where the owners expected to find even greater treasures. Digging came to a halt when rising water levels overwhelmed the pumps, which simply could not push water back up to the surface. At this point Adolph Sutro came to the rescue. Adolph Sutro (1830-1898) was a Prussian Jew who came to America in 1850. Lured by the California Gold Rush, Sutro engaged in mercantile pursuits in the Stockton area. In 1860 he went to Nevada and set up a quartz-reducing mill. He conceived of the idea of driving a three-mile-long tunnel into the base of the mountain to drain and ventilate the mines from below. At first the idea was met with a great deal of skepticism, and local support was not forthcoming. Sutro turned to Europe, where mining methods were more advanced and financial backers more understanding. He secured enough funds to begin the project. In 1872, when this certificate was issued, the tunnel was still under construction. Six more years of Herculean labor was necessary to bring the project to completion. Sutro sold his interest, invested it in San Francisco real estate, and devoted the rest of his life to politics and philanthropy.
Auction Location:
2 Rector Street, 12th Floor, New York, New York, 10006-1844, United States
Previewing Details:
Lots are available for viewing in Smythe’s offices at 2 Rector Street, 12th Floor, on the following days during the hours listed:
December 6-8, 10 am – 4 pm EST
December 11, 9 am - 4 pm EST
December 12, 9 am – 6 pm EST
December 13, 9 am – 1 pm EST
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NYST |
8.38% |
NYC Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
No Info Available
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Terms of Sale
1) A 20% buyers charge will be added to the hammer price of each lot purchased.
2)All bids are per lot as numbered in this catalogue.
3)Bids less than 60% of the estimate will not be accepted.
4)SMYTHE reserves the right to withdraw any lot prior to sale.
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22)In the event of dispute, the auctioneer’s decision is final.
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31)In cases where a question has arisen as to the authenticity of an item, the purchaser must, before settlement day (30 days after the sale,) notify R.M. SMYTHE of his intention to return the item, confirmed in writing. The item will be examined by a recognized expert; if the item proves authentic, the sale will be consummated. If the item is not authentic, the sale price will be refunded.
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