Beautifully engraved certificate from the South Pacific Mining Company issued in 1882. This historic document was printed by the Homer Lee Bank Note Company and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of two part underground scene of miners loading two mule drawn ore cars and miner operating a jack leg and decorative maidens in the corners. This item has the hand signatures of the Company's President ( G. Height ) and Secretary ( J. A. Baker ). Issued to J. A. Baker for 100 shares in 1882.
Certificate Vignette J. A. Baker is the namesake of Baker, California. Located in the old Salt Springs area in Death Valley. In 1881, J. M. Seymour and C. A. Luckhardt gave this worthless property an exotic stage name, added to the board some respected individuals not previously associated with mining scams, and promoted the property until it became the speculative favorite of Broadway. The price went from $1 par to over $14. They made millions at the expense of unsuspecting market players and investors. (Holabird - Lingenfelter, 1986, Death Valley & the Amargosa, p.158-159).