1057. JUNIPERO SERRA (1713 - 1784) Franciscan priest, founder of the California missions, which were the first settlements of western civilization in California. In 1769 he established a mission at the present site of San Diego, California, the first of a number that would include San Antonio, San Buenaventura, San Carlos, San Francisco de Assisi, San Gabriel, San Juan Capistrano, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Clara. Very rare, large, bold signature "Fr[ay] Junipero Serra" with bold paraph on a 2 1/4" x 1" slip removed from a letter, simply framed with an image of Serra. Very light soiling, else very good. $2,000 - 3,000