Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
James Marshall returned from the Mexican War to find his ranch in disarray and his cattle gone. When he lost his land he contracted to build a sawmill for John Sutter in an area of Northern California called Coloma. On the morning of January 24th, 1848 he was supervising the construction when he spied a few shiny objects in the channel beneath the mill reflecting the sunlight. It was gold. With lightening speed word spread across the nation, then across the world and millions flocked to California seeking their fortune. Very few actually made a dime and among the unsuccessful was Marshall himself. Sutter's Mill failed due to all the workers leaving to seek gold. The hordes of prospectors forced Marshall off the land he managed to buy ad he soon left gold country. Although famous for his discovery, he was never successful in any business venture and he died in 1885 nearly penniless. Towards the end of his life, Marshall printed up a small quantity of 5 1/4" x 2 3/4" cards with an illustration of Sutter's Mill and a line about his gold discovery in 1848. To earn a meager income, Marshall signed the card and sold them to autograph collectors. This rare card is free of creases and exhibits light toning. There are several spots of soiling though none of these affect the signature or the attractive display quality it possesses. Marshall has signed the front of the card in crisp black fountain pen. A very attractive piece of United States history. Letter of Authenticity from JSA.