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Sale 58
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Lot 121
Sutter, John (1803-1880) Sutter founded the colony of Nueva Helvetia on the site of what is now Sacramento. After becoming a Mexican citizen, he received a land grant and built Sutter's Fort, a frontier trading post. When gold was discovered on his property (January 24, 1848), his workmen deserted him, his livestock were stolen and squatters settled his land. He eventually resettled in the village of Litiz, with a small government pension. Archive of General John A. Sutter includes a unique handwritten manuscript and a fantastic gold nugget ring, most probably a Sutter presentation.:
(1) Autograph Manuscript Signed "Genl Sutter" in the text, one page, 10½ x 8¼, n.p., n.d., c. 1870s. On lightly lined paper. Fine condition. 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]." Folds, lightly soiled. Fine condition. From the collection of Samuel Curtis Upham (see Upham's bio in Lot 119). Upham wrote poems for the celebrations of the 26th and 27th anniversaries of California’s admission to the Union. Gen. Sutter attended the September 8, 1877 dinner.
Since Upham was known for composing songs for special occasions, especially ones relating to California and the Gold Rush, Gen. Sutter ostensibly wrote this manuscript for Upham, suggesting it as a tribute to himself. Sutter wrote it to the tune of "Byron’s ‘Ruddy Wine.’" The ring most probably was presented by Gen. Sutter to S.C. Upham in gratitude for is poems. Gen. Sutter, in the November 1857 edition of "Hutchings’ California Magazine," wrote about another ring he had made out of gold nuggets. In part, "I went in the race and picked up several pieces of this gold, several of the laborers gave me some which they had picked up, and from Marshall I received a part. I told them that I would get a ring made of this gold as soon as it could be done in California; and I have had a heavy ring made, with my family’s coat of arms engraved on the outside, and on the inside of the ring is engraved, ‘The first gold, discovered in January, 1848…’"
(2) Gold nuggets mounted on a silver ring, most probably presented to Upham by Gen. Sutter.
(3) 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," 4pp, 9¼ x 5¾, two conjoined sheets, front and verso. Included in the program on page one: "Welcome, by General John A. Sutter, President … ‘Song of the Argonauts; or, the Days of ’49,’ composed by Mr. S.C. Upham, of Philadelphia, a ‘49er and Member of the Society, and sung by Mr. J.G. Pierson. – Company joining in the Chorus … Song – ‘The Land we Adore.’ Composed by S.C. Upham, Esq., by the Quartette. – Company joining in the Chorus … Song – ‘Ye Ancient Yuba Miner, of the Days of ’49’ composed by Mr. S.C. Upham, and sung by Mr. J.G. Pierson…" Pages two and three are the music and words to "The Land We Adore." On the fourth page are the words to "Song of the Argonauts…" with the heading "Respectfully Dedicated to the Pioneers of California." Printed note at the bottom: "*General John A. Sutter, aged 74 years." Fine condition.
(4) Printing of "The Land We Adore. / By Samuel C. Upham, a ‘Forty-niner,’" one page, 11 x 8½ in. 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…" Fine condition.
(5) 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…," 4pp, 5½ x 3¼, two conjoined sheets, front and verso. 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. / Poem, ‘The Land We Adore,’ composed expressly for this occasion, and read by Samuel C. Upham, Esq., a ‘49er.’ / … ‘Song of the Argonauts: or, the Days of /49,’ composed by Mr. S.C. Upham, and sung by Wm. J. Hill, Esq…" Fine condition.
(6) Autograph Letter Signed "Francis D. Clark. / Secretary," one page, 10 x 8 in. Pictorial letterhead of "The Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California," New York, 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." Clear impression of the society’s 2½ in. diameter pictorial seal is affixed at the lower left. The letter is glued to a 11¼ x 8½ page, rippled at all edges. Very good condition. Three items are affixed on verso: (a) 2½ x 5 in. pictorial ticket to the September 9, 1876 "Re-Union / of / Californians / at Globe Hotel, Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia…" (b) 6½ x 2½ in. silk-like ribbon captioned "[eagle vignette] Re-Union / of / Californians. / [bear vignette] / Philadelphia, / September 9, 1876." (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." Fine condition.
Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000.
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