Description:

JOHN A. SUTTER
(1803 - 1880) American pioneer and founder of Sacramento upon whose land gold was discovered on January 24, 1848, setting-off the California Gold Rush. Ironically, he died almost bankrupt! Fine content A.L.S. "J. A. Sutter", 2pp. 4to., 'Hock Farm", Sep. 17, 1852 to James L. L. F. Warren. Sutter expresses regret that he will be unable to attend "Horicultural fair", citing a "bilious fever" which he, his wife and son Emil had contracted. He adds: "...[Emil] tried his best to preserve many things, but it will not be possible until we have a large cellar...[he] told me that the 'Fair' was too late for our produce...next year...I hope to get a prominent stand. Even our Grapes we could not keep so long on account of the heat, and on the Wine we could not let them longer on account of Squirrels and the Mag-pies, therefore I am sorry I could not send some of them. The next year we will be the first in the Country with ripe Grapes, when our hydralick work -[irrigation?] will be in operation...". Boldly penned and signed with a large signature, with just minor toning at margins. Sutter's Hock Farm was the first large-scale agricultural settlement in northern California. Today, the area is known for its production of vast amounts of fine wines. James L. L. F. Warren is considered the "Father of California Agriculture". Originally planning to mine gold in California, Warren instead founded a general provisioning firm, Warren & Company, in Sacramento. The frequency of scurvy in the mining camps, and his own deep interest in horticulture, led Warren to orient his provisioning business toward the acquisition and sale of fruit trees, seeds, and agricultural implements. By 1852 Warren's store had become so important to the state's expanding agricultural economy that it served as the site of the first California State Fair. His office served as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information, specimens, and seeds, not merely within California, but with other parts of the United States, South America, and the Orient.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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