Lot
3169 
"Per Berches Stage", manuscript endorsement misspelled for Birch's, on blue folded letter datelines "Mormon Island, June 24, 1850" to Sacramento City in care of the Bull Head Hotel, letter written by the Secretary of the Natoma Mining Co. discussing company business, "…We have made the race about 10 feet wide and have come to larger rocks and have prospects and have found gold.", Very Fine and rare, ex-"Tahoe". Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
James E. Birch, a stage driver from Rhode Island, formed a stage line bearing his name on September 1, 1849, serving the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills. The fare was set at $32.00 or 2 ounces of gold dust, which made it possible to travel between Mormon Island and Sacramento, spend and hour and return the same day. Birch's business thrived and by 1851 he was running daily service between Sacramento, Mormon Island and onto Coloma. When the railroad arrived in Folsom, twenty-one separate stage lines moved to Folsom. With over 50 stages a day arriving and leaving, Folsom soon became one of the busiest towns in the state and the largest staging center in California. In December 1853, these stages were consolidated in a joint stock company, the California Stage Company, with Birch as President. It was incorporated for $1,000,000.
Realized: $1,100