Subject: California Gold Rush

Handwritten and printed application for membership to the Charity Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Stockton, California. Dated February 16-23, 1859. The application proposes Luis Rosenthal for membership, with Alexander Isaac and A. Kohlberg as proposers. This document is signed.

Bill of exchange dated March 25, 1861, issued by the San Francisco branch of the Rothschild Bank to Lopes Dubec & Co. in Bordeaux. The note, printed lithographically with delicate decorations, promises payment of 1100 Francs to James L. Marbel. The note is signed by B. Davidson and endorsed by Marbel. The note includes 'N.M. de R' (Natan Meir de Rothschild) printed on the left.

A rare open pontil California gold rush medicine bottle, circa 1850s. The bottle is aqua-colored, 4 1/2" tall, and 2" wide at the base. It features an inward-rolled top and an open pontil base. The front panel is embossed with "Compound Fluid Extract Of Manzanita, Drs McDonald & Levy.. Sacramento City, California." Richard Hays McDonald established a drug store in Sacramento in 1849, later partnering with Levy to create a traveling drug store wagon servicing placer mining areas. By 1853, "The Miners Drug Store" was well-known. Levy later opened a store in San Francisco. This bottle may be related to the Levy ledger book also in this collection.

Carte-de-visite (CDV) photograph of a man in Odd Fellows regalia, taken by Edward Abraham Kusel in Oroville, California, during the 1870s. The photographer, Edward Abraham Kusel, was an active member of the Odd Fellows. The photograph's reverse side is inscribed: 'E. A. Kusel, Montgomery St., Oroville.' Kusel was a pioneer Jewish settler in northern California's gold country, known for his contributions as a merchant, photographer, and community leader. He imported one of the first sewing machines into California and was instrumental in developing scientifically-based photography methods.

Carte-de-visite (CDV) photograph of a man, taken in Yreka, California, circa 1863. The photograph is attributed to Louis Heller, a Jewish photographer who operated a studio in Yreka during the California Gold Rush. The reverse of the CDV lacks Heller's studio name, "Yreka Photograph Gallery," which he opened in 1864.

Carte-de-visite photograph of the Oroville Courthouse in Butte County, California, circa 1865-1870. The photograph was taken by Edward Abraham Kusel, a pioneer Jewish settler in northern California and prominent photographer. The image depicts the original courthouse building before any additions, erected in August 1856.

Carte-de-visite photograph of A. E. Hessig, taken by Edward Abraham Kusel in Oroville, California, circa 1865-1870. The photograph features a revenue stamp on the back. Kusel was a pioneering Jewish photographer and merchant in northern California.

This legal document from December 26, 1856, is a writ of attachment from the District Court, Sixth Judicial District, Sacramento County, California. Greenbaum & Brother brought the suit against J. Rosenbaum for $321.31. The document orders the Sheriff of Sacramento County to seize property belonging to Rosenbaum to satisfy the debt. The seized property is identified as "One Lot situated at Michigan Bar (formerly occupied and owned by M Birch) together with all the improvements thereunto Belonging." The document includes signatures from W.M. Taylor (Deputy Sheriff), W.S. White (Sheriff), E. Conklin (DC for C.H. Bradford Clerk), and Deputy Sheriff Jas. Boyer. A filing date of December 27, 1856, is also noted.

Handwritten letter from Cauffman H. Meyer in San Francisco to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, dated August 10, 1862. The letter discusses the remittance of funds for Congregation Emanu-El and Meyer's plans to move to Carson City, Nevada, where he had invested in a business with A. Fleishhaecker. Meyer was Isaac Leeser's book and newspaper agent in San Francisco.

A one-page letter, dated November 3, 1850, from J. M. Jones, a lawyer in San Jose, California, to Judge Henry A. Lyons in San Francisco. Jones urges Lyons for an immediate response to a legal opinion request, emphasizing its urgency.

A letter written by Levi Strauss to Harvey & Kennedy in San Francisco, California on June 6, 1859. The letter encloses a draft for $1256.28. This is an early example of Levi Strauss's business correspondence.

This letter, dated November 1, 1855, was written by the postmaster in San Francisco, California to Isaac Leeser. The postmaster informs Leeser that eight copies of the *Occident*, a newspaper, were not picked up by Leeser's subscribers. The names of the subscribers are: I. & S. Mayer, S. Simon, H.W. Stein, Leopold Jacobs, E. Lindberg, A. Hess, and I. Fleischbacker. The letter provides a glimpse into the complexities of newspaper distribution during the California Gold Rush.

A letter written by Simon Novitzky to G. L. Kingsley on February 10, 1874. The letter was sent via Wells Fargo & Co. and traveled between Red Bluff and Grass Valley, California.

License issued to Davis Levy on November 15, 1854, in Marysville, Yuba County, California, permitting him to sell "Goods, Wares and Merchandise" at Foster's Bar for three months. The license is signed by John A. Paxton. This license is part of a larger collection of materials related to Davis Levy, including legal documents from the Supreme Court of California cases involving accusations of fraud against him and his brother, Bernard Levy.

A bronze trade token issued by Joseph Brothers, jewelers and watchmakers, located at 149 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, circa 1850s. The obverse depicts "Joseph Brothers / of Liverpool Eng. / watch makers/ jewelers opticians/ general importers / 149 Montgomery St. / San Francisco, Cal." The reverse reads "cheapest house/ in California for / good watches /diamonds / jewelry/ silverware cutlery &c." The token measures 29mm in diameter. Joseph Brothers were among a handful of San Francisco merchants who commissioned California small denomination gold coins as early as 1852. This specific token was issued after the firm relocated from 175 Clay Street to 149 Montgomery Street, placing them among coiners and assayers. The token is considered exceedingly rare.

This record describes a pre-Civil War trade token issued by Joseph Brothers, jewelers and watchmakers operating at 149 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, around the 1850s. The token's obverse features the inscription "Joseph Brothers / of Liverpool Eng. / watch makers/ jewelers opticians/ general importers / 149 Montgomery St. / San Francisco, Cal." The reverse reads: "cheapest house/ in California for / good watches /diamonds / jewelry/ silverware cutlery &c." The token is brass, measuring 29mm in diameter. Joseph Brothers were among the few California Gold Rush jewelers who issued tokens or store cards in the 1850s, and this example is considered exceedingly rare. The firm's earlier location was at 175 Clay Street. The description notes that the token's creation postdates this move. The token's existence near assayers and coiners is also noted.

Copper trade token issued by Joseph Brothers, jewelers and general importers, located at 607 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, circa 1850s. The obverse depicts the firm's name and address, while the reverse advertises them as the "cheapest house in California for good watches, diamonds, jewelry, silverware, cutlery, etc." The token measures 29mm in diameter. Joseph Brothers were prominent California Gold Rush jewelers known for commissioning small-denomination gold coins as early as 1852. This token represents a rare example of their advertising efforts, issued after their move from 175 Clay Street to 149 Montgomery Street. The token's rarity is noted, with only a few specimens known to exist. The description is based on information provided by a numismatic expert.

Buckle Disc - HERE ARE THREE RARE BUCKLE DISCS. THE FIRST ONE IS FROM M COHEN AND BROTHER SAN FRANCISCO CAL. THE SECOND ONE IS MARKED TAUSSIG POLLACK AND COMPANY SAN FRANCISCO AND THE THIRD IS MARKED POLLACK BROTHERS NEW YORK. THESE COMPANIES WERE ALL SUPPLIERS OF GOODS FOR THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. ALL THESE BUCKLES ARE RARE AND EACH ONE COMES WITH AN ORIGINAL BELT KEEPER....circa 1855 2 0f 3

Three rare buckle discs from the California Gold Rush era (circa 1855). The first is from M. Cohen and Brother, San Francisco, CA; the second from Taussig, Pollack and Company, San Francisco; and the third from Pollack Brothers, New York. These companies supplied goods during the Gold Rush. Each buckle includes its original belt keeper.

Three rare buckle discs from suppliers of goods during the California Gold Rush. One disc is from M. Cohen and Brother, San Francisco, CA; another from Taussig, Pollack and Company, San Francisco; and the third from Pollack Brothers, New York. Each buckle includes its original belt keeper. Circa 1855.

An envelope addressed to R. Cohen at 32 & 34 Samsome (?) Street, San Francisco, California, postmarked 1875. The envelope is a commercial item from Wells, Fargo & Co., a prominent 19th-century American express company.