Lot 585
The First Trial & Execution in S. Francisco on the Night of the 10th of June at 2 O'Clock (Baird 79) drawn by W.C.K. and published and lithographed by Hungarian Emanuel Justh, later a noted assayer (1855-1861) & C. Quirot, perhaps the first letter sheet of their partnership, illustration 6x9.5" on a folded double sheet (10.75x17') on gray wove paper, with letter datelined "San Francisco 30th June, 1851" from James O'Grady approvingly told his friend George…I send you a very graphic picture of an execution by the People on the body of a Sidney man, a notorious character, who on being apprehended in the act of stealing a safe (a small iron one) containing about $200, was taken and tried by a people's jury, was condemned, and hung, he notes that…The old adobe building on the [south] end of which he [Jenkins] was hung was burned on the 22nd, "We are slowly recovering," he continued, "from these calamities of the 4th of May and [June] 22nd and still entertain hopes of out living them."; some edge toning and small unnoticeable hole in illustration, Very Fine, this was lot#74 in Dorothy Sloan's October 1994 auction of the Henry Clifford Collection, where it sold for $1,840.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A RARE CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET DEPICTING AND DISCUSSING THE ACTIONS OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE OF VIGILANCE.
At dusk on June 10, 1851, Australian John Jenkins robbed a money safe from the shipping office of George W. Virgin on Long Wharf. He attempted to escape by row boat, but was apprehended, and brought before the First Committee of Vigilance. Enflamed by Sam Brannan, the public grabbed the rope to hang him from the old Mexican Customs House on Portsmouth Plaza at 2 A.M. on June 11. Quick work: 6 hours from robbery to hanging.
Realized: $900