November 29, 2012

Cutting’s S.S. Central America Letter up for Auction

Holabird-Kagin Americana is proud to announce the sale of two historically significant letters. The first portion of this lot discusses the 1857 wreck of the SS Central America, often called "The Ship of Gold," a 280-foot ship with over 550 passengers and crew and a cargo of $3 million in gold (the largest single shipment of gold at the time). This shipwreck had catastrophic effects on the Western and American financial markets, a disaster known today as "The Panic of 1857". This letter, written by Ephraim Cutting near the fifth anniversary of the ship`s sinking, shows just how dramatic the effect on America was. The letter discusses the overland route for mail (reference obviously to the Pony Express) and its  "bad repute." ??

There are several more artifacts compliments of Cutting's writing, as well as some wonderful photos of him and his family going under the hammer at this pre-holiday auction.

The auction takes place Saturday, December 8 at the Atlantis Casino Resort 3800 Virginia St. Reno, NV. A preview will be held Friday, December 7, in the Holabird offices at 3555 Airway Drive #308 in Reno. Bidding will be live, by phone or on the Internet at www.HolabirdAmericana.com. If you have questions or would like to make a private appointment prior to the public showing, call (877) 852-8822.