THREE BOUND VOLUMES of ABSTRACT OF TITLE to large sections of LAND in RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO / SANTA CLARA COUNTY, known as THE PACHECO GRANT.

(1) ABSTRACT of TITLE to LANDS of MANUEL WILLIAMS - Described as PORTION OF RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO / County of Contra Costa, California. Made by Contra Costa Abstract and Title Company, Martinez, California. Hardbound, leather spine and corners, string bound, 9x14 inches.

The first 50 pages are MANUSCRIPT, with handwriting only on the front side of each page. The subsequent pages, 51 to 90, are typed and mimeographed abstracts, deeds, and official Contra Costa certifications.

The manuscript abstract includes wills, grant rights, etc. The first page of this manuscript abstract of title begins: "Abstract of Title of Heirs of John Johnston, Deceased, to 210 Acres in the Racho Monte Del Diablo of PACHECO GRANT, Contra Costa County, California. By C. S. Cousins / Searcher of Records for Contra Costa County."

There are many names of claimants, defendants, and County officers in this manuscript abstract of title, including; Salvio Pacheco, Salvador Pacheco, Manuel Williams, John Galindo, Mariana Amador de Galindo, Conception Pacheco de Soto, Ygnacio Amador, Samuel Dwinelle (District Judge), and many others. This manuscript abstract covers a period 1859-1896, with the last manuscript page (page 50) being a certification signed by J.S. Cousins, and dated May 24th, 1896.

Bound in following the manuscript abstract of title are printed documents dated 1904 to 1916, including: "Continuation of Abstract of Title to the lands of HELEN GREENLEAF, described as Portion of the Rancho Monte del Diablo", "Continuation of Abstract of Title to the lands of MANUEL WILLIAMS", and various Deeds, Wills, and Agreements.

A fold-open blueprint map is tipped onto the inside rear cover, titled: "Map of a portion of Division N of the Fernando Pacheco Estate..."

Laid into the rear of this abstract is a folded "Agreement / Johnson Blois with Manuel Williams" dated October 1916.

(2) ABSTRACT OF TITLE to the lands of MARIETTA J. BACON, being a portion of the RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO, containing 79.53 acres of land situated in CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. Filled with printed documents relating to distribution of property, including attestations of ownership, complaints, settlements, court documents, agreements, etc. Documents dated 1858 to 1906. Tipped on the inside rear cover is a handwritten statement on "The Bank of Concord" letterhead, dated Oct. 24, 1901: "I have examined the title to the lands described in the abstract herein and find...there is no lien or encumbrance excluding taxes for 1901". Bound in hardcovers, string bound at the top, 8.5x13 inches, 66 pages.

(3) ABSTRACT OF TITLE to LOTS 3 and 8 / GOVERNMENT or GWIN RANCH / RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO - As Shown by the Various Records of the County of Contra Costa. Compiled by the Martinez Abstract & Title Company, Searchers of Records, Martinez, Contra Costa County. Dated August 3, 1917.

A compilation of Abstract of Title and supporting documents, compiled "At the Request of Mr. MANUEL WILLIAMS". Documents are all reprints of documents from 1859 to 1917, all reprinted by the Martinez Abstract and Title Company. Bound in hardcovers, string bound at the top, 8.5x13 inches, 77 pages printed on one side only.

A signed Certification by the Martinez Abstract and Title Company dated 1917 is at the end: "This is to certify that the foregoing 77 pages...are a full, true and correct Unlimited Abstract of Title, showing all instruments and documents of record...affecting the title hereinafter described property, to the date hereof."

CONDITION: All three volumes are in GOOD condition, the covers are worn at the edges and corners (especially the first volume) but are solid and doing their job well; internally, there is a smudge here and there, but overall the pages are very nice, bright, clean and clear. A solid, nice, fully legible set.

1862 Original Gold Rush Account First Edition ~ TWELVE YEARS IN THE MINES OF CALIFORNIA Embracing A General View Of The Gold Region, With Practical Observations On Hill, Placer, and Quartz Diggings; And Notes On The Origin Of Gold Deposits. By Lawson B. Patterson.

Printed by Miles and Dillingham, Cambridge, MA, 1862. First Edition. Hardbound in Publisher's original blindstamped brown cloth with embossed gilt title on front cover, 108 pages, appendix. GOOD Condition: covers corners and edges are worn through, spine covering perished, but the gilt remains bright, internally, front hinge starting and rear hinge tender but holding, period penned "No. 25 - " at the top of the front pastedown and half title, small Los Angeles bookseller label on rear pastedown, and a touch of of age toning, otherwise the inner pages are excellent, tight, bright, clean and unmarked.

This uncommon first hand account provides a wonderful narrative of gold mining in El Dorado County by an original Forty-Niner who prospected in the gold country for twelve years. In addition to Patterson's own experiences, much of this book is devoted to the discovery of gold, the gold region, its geology, advice to new miners, and the weather in 1853. Wheat declares the account "observations of permanent import, the value of which is belatedly becoming recognized." Wheat Books 154.

Patterson left Boston for California via New York on February 5, 1849. He took the schooner Col. Fanning to Brazos Santiago, Mexico. From there, the Argonaut crossed Mexico to Mazatlán arriving on April 17, and then shipped to San Francisco via San Diego. In his introduction, Patterson furnished the following from the San Francisco Alta California: "He arrived in this city on the 20th of July, 1849; started for the mines six days later; went to Mormon Island, and after a short stay, to the vicinity of Georgetown, El Dorado County, where he remained twelve years, never abandoning mining in all that time. He is one of the few Forty-niners who have remained faithful to the business of mining."

(Howes P121; Kurutz 484; Rocq 15995; Sabin 59140; Streeter 2876. Kurutz, The California Gold Rush 481)

Two historic circa 1880 photographs of an early and notable HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA settler, OTIS HILL, and what appears to be his young daughter, in front of their house at "Willow Tree Farm" in what was then called HAYWARDS, California.

Two photographs, one 6.5x8.5 inch and one 6x8 inch, both mounted on 11x14 inch card mounts. Written on the backside of each mount is: "WILLOW TREE FARM / OTIS HILL / HAYWARDS / CAL." The fact that the photograph identifies the town as "Haywards" allows the photograph to be dated from between 1876 and 1880. (The town was incorporated in 1876 and given the official name HAYWARDS, but a few years later, circa 1880, the "S" was dropped and the town became HAYWARD.)

VERY GOOD condition: The mounts are lightly soiled, have some edge and corner wear, and a few smallish stains to the backsides; one mount has a clipped corner. The photographs are lovely with just a few light rubs and a couple small superficial scrapes.

How HAYWARDS California became HAYWARD California (from the City website):

******Hayward was originally known as "Hayward's", then as "Haywood", later as "Haywards", and eventually as "Hayward". On his way from gold country to San Francisco in 1851,a failed prospector named William Hayward passed through what is now downtown Hayward. He liked what he saw and bought some land. In 1852, Hayward set up a small general store at the corner of A Street and Mission Boulevard. The store became a major stop on the road from Oakland to San Jose. Hayward expanded his business, erecting a lodging house that grew to become the famous Hayward's Hotel. When the town was incorporated on March 11, 1876, it was officially named "Haywards" after the landmark hotel. The "s" was dropped several years later.******

About OTIS HILL of HAYWARDS, California (from History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California, Pages 1189-1190. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.):

******Prominent among the pioneer residents of Alameda county is OTIS HILL, a venerable and highly respected agriculturist, whose ranch is located about one mile from the city of Hayward. In the development of this section of the county, and in the advancement of its welfare, he has been an important factor. Coming here a full half century ago, he, with the other early settlers of this locality, bravely endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Mr. Hill was born, September 21, 1827, in Lockport, N.Y., a son of Orson Hill.

Coming to California by the Nicaragua route in 1855, he located in Hayward's, where he had a brother living. In 1856 Mr. Hill bought, for $900, one hundred and thirty acres of land in the Castro valley. Some time during the sixties he got the Spanish grant title to two hundred acres. He has now in his home ranch many acres of valuable land, supplied with water from a spring, and lying on the line of the Haywards and Oakland Electric line, a most favorable location. He carried on general farming, paying special attention to the cultivation of fruits, and is quite successful. He also has a valuable gravel pit, which is a source of considerable revenue.******

Two Large Format Sales Agent's Policy Kits / Books, with receipts for policies sold and with information for the agent regarding pricing and issuing policies. Hartford Fire Insurance, 1895 and 1896. The sales agent that owned these policy portfolios was a woman, Abby C. Sturgeon of Newman, Stanislaus County, California. Her territory, deduced from the bound in written policies, was apparently Stanislaus and Merced Counties, California, including Modesto and surrounding areas. The two portfolio type kits / books measure 12.5 x 18 inches. They open to show Hartford Company Rules for Agents pasted on the inside front and rear covers. Also bound inside the portfolios are the stubs for policies that have been issued and full policy issuing sheets. One of the portfolios has 12 stubs that are filled in with names and other relevant issuing information. This portfolio has no blank policy forms remaining to be used. The other portfolio has 5 stubs with filled in info and has 14 policy sheets that remain unused, unissued. The two portfolio policy books are only in FAIR condition, the covers are soiled, have stains and sunning, and are shaky; internally some of the items tipped onto the inside covers are creased and wrinkled. Nonetheless these vintage insurance items are original and all the printing and handwriting is clear and legible. Some interesting genealogy from 19th Century Stanislaus County and Merced County, California. Interesting also is that this 1895 insurance sales agent of farm policies was a woman. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: These Two Portfolios are HEAVY and LARGE and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us in advance to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

THE SAN FRANCISCO BLOCK BOOK: Comprising Fifty Vara Survey, One Hundred Vara Survey, Mission, Western Addition, Richmond District, Sunset District, Flint Tract and Horner's Addition.

Showing SIZE OF LOTS AND BLOCKS and NAMES OF OWNERS, compiled from Latest Official Records. OCTOBER, 1901.

Published by The Hicks-Judd Company, Publishers, San Francisco, California, October, 1901.

From the introductory "To Subscribers" page: "It is with pardonable price that the publishers issue this, the second edition of the San Francisco Block Book. The first edition is long since exhausted...The present publication contains nearly twice the amount of data as appeared in the first edition, and all the maps, over 700, have been enlarged to double the size...The former edition comprised the Fifty Vara and One Hundred Vara Surveys, Western Addition and Mission. The present work in addition to the foregoing contains in full the Richmond District, Sunset District, Flint Tract, Horner's Addition, and a few other tracts. The paper is of the finest quality made especially for this work with a view to strength. The work was produced in the establishment of The Hicks-Judd Company...a volume unequaled in value as a reference book to San Francisco real estate. / San Francisco, October, 1901."

LARGE FORMAT HARDCOVER BOOK, leather spine and corners with pebbled cloth covered boards, gilt titling to spine, marbled endpapers, 10x13.5 inches. Pagination: [i-iii] title page and "To Subscribers" page, [iv]-xvii Index MAPS, xviii-xx blank pages for notes, 34-730 MAPS, 731-736 blank pages for notes. Complete, as issued. The book is thick and heavy.

GOOD condition: The covers are worn at the spine folds including 2 inches of splitting at the top of the spine folds and 1.5 inches of splitting at the bottom of the spine folds, the spine leather is rubbed, the covers are worn at the corners and edges, still the covers are sturdy, doing their job well, and attractive in a Harry Potter Hogwarts Library fashion. Internally, there are a couple edge chips here and there, the upper hinge is splitting for an inch or so at a few places, overall the inner pages are very nice, tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, nice copy.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is large, thick and heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

HANDWRITTEN LETTER, written on both sides of a piece of 8.5x11 inch stationery bearing a "BLACK BEAR GOLD MINING CO." letterhead. The letter is dated Feb. 28, 1911, and was sent from SAWYERS BAR, (Siskiyou County, California). It was written by Mrs. M. E. Whiting / Sawyers Bar" and addressed to "Mrs. Clark", her sister. The letter begins: "Dear Sister".

The letter mentions the recent death of a sister, Sophronia (there is a marker on the Yreka Trail in Siskiyou County that reads: ""We are now out of the diggers and and in the Shasta Valley tribe (country) they are not so hostile - Sophronia Helen Stone, Sep 20, 1852".) I have no idea if the marker relates to the Sophornia in this letter, but as both the marker and the Sophronia in the letter are in Siskiyou County it is at least an interesting coincidence. The letter goes on to talk about the cold weather and other everyday matters. WHITING, the writer's surname, is also the surname of a number of miners in Siskiyou County at the time, and there was even a WHITING HILL MINE. I do not know exactly how M. E. Whiting relates, though the fact that the letter bears the letterhead of BLACK BEAR GOLD MINING CO. indicates some sort of relationship.

GOOD Condition: the letter has two horizontal and one vertical fold, likely folded to fit into an envelope (no envelope present); there are a few small holes (likely from the sharp tip of the pen), one fold is just starting to split, and the letter is lightly toned, otherwise bright and clear.

About SAWYERS BAR (from Wikipedia):

******Sawyers Bar is an unincorporated community located on the North Fork Salmon River in unincorporated Siskiyou County, California, not to be confused with a Sawyers or Lawyers Bar in Del Norte County.

Sawyers Bar, now in Siskiyou County, was a California Gold Rush mining camp, first in Trinity County (one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood). Then following the rush to the Klamath and Salmon Rivers, it became part of the now defunct Klamath County from 1851 to 1874. It was then within that part of Klamath County annexed to Siskiyou County. Sawyers Bar, was one of the largest gold producers in the county that year, along with Negro Flat, Gullion's Bar and Bestville. Currently, Sawyers Bar has a population of about 20 permanent residents and about 34 during the summer.******

Autograph Book of MARIE BEIDLEMAN of CERES, STANISLAUS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Autograph Book, lacks covers, staple bound, 3.5x5.5 inches, 60 pages (30 leaves), 46 of the pages have inscriptions with signatures. The first inscription and signature is by the mother of Marie Beidleman and is dated June 7th, 1922. Most of the signatures / inscriptions seem to be from classmates from Ceres, California. Most have dates, beginning in 1923 with the last one being in 1926. Most have signed their full names, and a few put a place as CERES, CALIFORNIA. Marie Beidleman comes up as having been a student in CERES, CALIFORNIA. A quick Internet search found that some of the other names were also from kids in schools in CERES, CALIFORNIA. Names in this autograph / inscription book include: Helen Lander, Dolores Nelson, Bernice Madden, Adele Bisher, Margaret Nyquist, Ethel Baldridge, Dorothy Keith, Lois Ertle, Alice Ertle, Nancy Tupman, Hazel Buerer, Evelyn McQueen, and many more. Condition: Lacking covers as noted above, a few pages are toned from offsetting, light corner creases and other signs of handling, overall still bound well with writing that is clean, clear and fully legible.

ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER. Published Weekly, Every Friday, in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. Entirely in ARMENIAN (with a bit of English titling on the First Page Publisher's Banner). A nice run of issues for the years 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937, bound together. Approximately 200 weekly issues. The January 1934 issues and the February 2, 1934 issue (6 issues) are lacking, the first issue is February 9, 1934 and then the issues run consecutively through the December 31, 1937 issue. Please Note:

I have not counted every issue, but this is a weekly and unless a few are missing that I have not noticed, that would mean there are at least 200 issues. The issues are LARGE BROADSHEET FORMAT, with the pages measuring approximately 18x24 inches (46x61 cm). The issues have 4 pages. Therefore this bound set has approximately 800 large format pages. In the early 20th century, the FRESNO ARMENIAN community was the largest such community in California, and perhaps the entire U.S. These papers report on numerous issues of importance to Armenians, including International and California matters. CONDITION: The issues were bound in plain paper covers, but the covers are now completely missing with only a small remnant hanging on the rear, i.e. no covers. The spine covering has been mostly chipped off, but the titling remains. The newspapers are printed on fragile paper, and tear and shed easily. The last few pages are ragged with lots of tears, pieces missing, and creases, especially at their bottom halves; the first three issues are loose but present (Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb.23). Some issues have long tears across their center folds, but the issues are still complete. Most issues have some edge wear, including edge tears, chips, and general wear, but the text is almost always complete. The issues are age toned as normal. Nonetheless, most of the issues remain solid and are in generally good condition, especially given the fragile nature of the paper. The pages need to be opened and handled with care, even so expect some shedding. These newspaper issues were presumably bound together by the CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY. There are California State Library stamps here and there throughout. About the ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER (from Wikipedia): ******The ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER BEGAN PUBLICATION IN 1908 IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. In its early years the paper was published weekly. It eventually, decades later (1960s?), moved to Southern California when a large Armenian American community emerged there. ORIGINALLY AN ALL ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER, a regular English section was added in 1970.****** About ARMENIANS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (from Wikipedia): ******The first Armenians to move to Fresno were the brothers Hagop and Garabed Seropian, who arrived in 1881. By 1894 the Armenian population in Fresno was 360, a number which grew rapidly with the onset of the Hamidian Massacres in 1895-96. During and after the genocide even more Armenians came until the restrictions on immigration in 1921 and 1924 brought this to a virtual end. Los Angeles also became a focus of Armenian immigration, and some Armenians from Fresno moved there as well. The number of Armenians in LA surpassed those in Fresno in 1930, partly because of the agricultural depression in the valley during the 1920s. The early immigrants were primarily involved with farming and agriculture. By 1930 Armenians owned 40% of the raisin acreage in Fresno County. Bigotry against Armenians was common. Fear of Armenian land ownership caused the passage of laws restricting their rights to freely buy land. This attitude towards the tight knit Armenian community led some to try to assimilate, while having the opposite effect on others. Today, the number of Armenians in the greater Fresno region is thought to number approximately 25,000.****** INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This collection of Armenian Language Newspapers is very large and very heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges.

ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER. Published Weekly, Every Friday, in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. Entirely in ARMENIAN (with a bit of English titling on the First Page Publisher's Banner), FULL RUN FOR THE YEARS 1938, 1939, 1940, bound together. Approximately 156 weekly issues, beginning with the January 7, 1938 issue and ending with the December 27, 1940 issue. Please Note:

I have not counted every issue, but this is a weekly and unless a few are missing (which I haven't noticed but certainly is possible) that would mean there are 156 issues. The issues are LARGE BROADSHEET FORMAT, with the pages measuring approximately 18x24 inches (46x61 cm). The issues have 4 pages. Therefore this bound set has over 600 large format pages. In the early 20th century, the FRESNO ARMENIAN community was the largest such community in California, and perhaps the entire U.S. It was often referred to as Little Armenia. These papers report on numerous issues of importance to Armenians, including International and California matters. CONDITION: The issues are bound in plain paper covers. The plain paper covers are made of very cheap paper and are in poor condition, with lots of tears, holes, pieces missing, shedding and general wear. The newspapers are printed on fragile paper. The first page of the first issue has a large piece missing, a number of issues have large tears across their center folds but are still complete, there are edge tears, chips, and wear here and there throughout, and the issues have the expected age toning; nonetheless the bound in NEWSPAPERS are in generally good and complete condition, especially given the fragile nature of the paper. The pages need to be opened and handled with care, even so expect some shedding. These newspaper issues were presumably bound together by the CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY. There is a Bookplate of the California State Library on the inside front cover, and there are California State Library stamps here and there throughout. About the ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER (from Wikipedia): ******The ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER BEGAN PUBLICATION IN 1908 IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. In its early years the paper was published weekly. It eventually, decades later (1960s?), moved to Southern California when a large Armenian American community emerged there. ORIGINALLY AN ALL ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER, a regular English section was added in 1970.****** About ARMENIANS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (from Wikipedia): ******The first Armenians to move to Fresno were the brothers Hagop and Garabed Seropian, who arrived in 1881. By 1894 the Armenian population in Fresno was 360, a number which grew rapidly with the onset of the Hamidian Massacres in 1895 and 1896. During and after the genocide even more Armenians came until the restrictions on immigration in 1921 and 1924 brought this to a virtual end. Los Angeles also became a focus of Armenian immigration, and some Armenians from Fresno moved there as well. The early immigrants were primarily involved with farming and agriculture, with the ultimate goal almost always that of land ownership. By 1930 Armenians owned 40% of the raisin acreage in Fresno County. They were pioneers in the melon and fig production as well. Bigotry against Armenians was common, and led many to Anglicize their names. In the 1890s Armenian Protestants were stripped of membership in local churches. Fear of Armenian land ownership caused the passage of laws restricting their rights to freely buy land. This attitude towards the tight knit Armenian community led some to try to assimilate, while having the opposite effect on others. Today, the number of Armenians in the greater Fresno region is thought to number approximately 25,000.****** INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This collection of Armenian Language Newspapers is very large and very heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges.

ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER. Published TWICE Weekly, Every Tuesday and Friday, in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. Entirely in ARMENIAN (with a bit of English titling on the First Page Publisher's Banner), FULL RUN FOR THE YEARS 1950 and 1951, bound together. Approximately 208 twice weekly issues, beginning with the January 3, 1950 issue and ending with the December 25, 1951 issue (Armenians celebrate Christmas on January 6). Please Note:

I have not counted every issue, but this is a weekly and unless a few are missing (which I haven't noticed but certainly is possible) that would mean there are 208 issues. The issues are LARGE BROADSHEET FORMAT, with the pages measuring approximately 15x22 inches (38x55 cm). The issues have 4 pages. Therefore this bound set has over 800 large format pages. In the early 20th century, the FRESNO ARMENIAN community was the largest such community in California, and perhaps the entire U.S. Later in the 20th Century Los Angeles hosted a larger Armenian community, with many Fresno Armenians moving south as a result of an agricultural depression. These papers report on numerous issues of importance to Armenians, including International and California matters. CONDITION: The issues are bound in plain paper covers. The plain paper covers are made of cheap paper and are in somewhat ragged condition, with tears, pieces missing, shedding and general wear. The newspapers are printed on fragile paper and there edge tears, chips, and wear here and there, some tearing along the center folds, and age toning, nonetheless all the bound in NEWSPAPERS are in generally good condition, looking as if they have been infrequently used (the fragile covers possibly being worn and torn when this heavy bound set of newspapers was moved!) These newspaper issues were presumably bound together by the CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY. There is a Bookplate of the California State Library on the inside front cover, and there are California State Library stamps here and there throughout. About the ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER (from Wikipedia): ******The ASBAREZ ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER BEGAN PUBLICATION IN 1908 IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. In its early years the paper was published weekly. It eventually, decades later (1960s?), moved to Southern California when a large Armenian American community emerged there. ORIGINALLY AN ALL ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER, a regular English section was added in 1970.****** About ARMENIANS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (from Wikipedia): ******The first Armenians to move to Fresno were the brothers Hagop and Garabed Seropian, who arrived in 1881. By 1894 the Armenian population in Fresno was 360, a number which grew rapidly with the onset of the Hamidian Massacres in 1895 and 1896. During and after the genocide even more Armenians came until the restrictions on immigration in 1921 and 1924 brought this to a virtual end. Los Angeles also became a focus of Armenian immigration, and some Armenians from Fresno moved there as well. The number of Armenians in LA surpassed those in Fresno in 1930, partly because of the agricultural depression in the valley during the 1920s. The early immigrants were primarily involved with farming and agriculture. By 1930 Armenians owned 40% of the raisin acreage in Fresno County. Bigotry against Armenians was common. Fear of Armenian land ownership caused the passage of laws restricting their rights to freely buy land. This attitude towards the tight knit Armenian community led some to try to assimilate, while having the opposite effect on others. Today, the number of Armenians in the greater Fresno region is thought to number approximately 25,000.****** INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This collection of Armenian Language Newspapers is very large and very heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges.

1945 LETTER to MARQUISE HELENE DE PINS, PARIS, FRANCE, from RAYMOND ARMSBY, Mutual Life Insurance Company, San Francisco.

The Marquise Helene de Pins was a French Aristocrat who inherited the BEAULIEU VINEYARDS of Rutherford, NAPA VALLEY.

Raymond Armsby was a San Francisco socialite, Member of the BOHEMIAN CLUB, and, at the time, an Insurance agent for the rich and famous.

Single Page Typed Letter, Signed by Armsby, on Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York stationery. The letter is dated May 20, 1954. The letter comes with its original mailing envelope.

In the letter Armsby suggests to Marquise de Pins that her property (i.e. wines) stored in an expensive to insure Champagne Cellar be moved to one of the buildings on her Vineyards where FIRE INSURANCE rates would be less expensive, implying that the$30,000 in insurance she currently held should be returned to a $50,000 level. From the letter: "...you desired only to insure the personal property stored in the Champagne Cellar for $30,000...It is unfortunate...that the property was moved from San Francisco for storage in a building on which the Fire Rating Bureau had placed such a high premium rate...I suggest you look over your buildings at the Vineyards, indicate to me the one in which you wish to place the property...a building with a low fire rate..."

Condition: The letter has several folds from where it was folded to fit into a small envelope, and some corner tip creases. Overall the letter is tight, bright, clean. The envelope is well used, lots of postal stamps, a forwarding label, and wear from being opened, but still clearly shows the return address and the name of Marquise Helene de Pins.

About the Marquise Helene de Pins, aka Madame de Pins, and the Beaulieu Vineyards (from Wikipedia):

******Marquise Helene de Pins, the widow of the Marquis de Pins and daughter of the late Georges de Latour, who founded Beaulieu Vineyard in 1900 after immigrating to the United States from the Perigord region of southern France, inherited the Beaulieu Vineyards after the death of her husband.

In the 1950s and 1960s Beaulieu was considered one of the Big Four Napa Valley producers, along with Inglenook, Charles Krug, and Louis Martini.

The winery was purchased by international conglomerate Heublein in 1969. Heublein was later acquired by RJR Nabisco, then sold to Grand Metropolitan in 1987. Grand Metropolitan became Diageo plc in 1997 through a merger with Guinness. In 2016 Diageo sold Beaulieu Vineyard to Treasury Wine Estates.******

SAN FRANCISCO CHINATOWN ON PARADE in PICTURES and STORY, edited by H. K. WONG.

Published by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, 1961.

From the estate of Albert C. Lim, b.1909 d.1993. Albert C. Lim was a San Francisco Chinatown businessman, Chinatown store owner, and a pillar of the Chinatown community. He was on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for many years, and on the Board of several Chinatown charities meant to better the lives of the people of Chinatown.

SIGNED and INSCRIBED by the editor H.K. WONG on the inside front cover to EVA LIM, who wrote one of the articles in the publication, and whose husband was Albert C. Lim.

Softcovers / Wrappers, staple bound, 6x9.25 inches, 108 pages.

GOOD condition, the cover folds are tender, one leaf consisting of pages 57/58 has a guitar pick size piece torn from its bottom edge affecting a few lines of text, there are a few small corner creases here and there, otherwise tight, bright, clean and clear.

Lots of interesting articles, including one by the author of Flower Drum Song telling how San Francisco Chinatown was the birthplace of the book.

SCARCE, especially so SIGNED and INSCRIBED.

Three Ring Binder filled with Handwritten Notes and Official Record Sheets on Mares Bred (Pacific Coast Quarter Horses) during 1965 and 1966. Horse names include: BLUE CACTUS, Jesse Bar, BLUE LEDGER, Blue Miller, BOLD MINUTE, (Copay?) Coleen, CAT SOX, and many many MORE. For each horse, or perhaps for each time a mare is bred, there is a page with some handwritten notes followed by what appears to be an official page filled with small boxes with handwritten code letters in many of the boxes (I assume breeders know what the code letters stand for). Approximately 150 - 200 total sheets, meaning 75-100 pages of notes with 75-100 official sheets with handwritten letter codes. There is no definitive information on the binder's owner, perhaps RUSSELL SMITH because there is a personal letter (apparently unrelated to horse breeding) laid-in the front on his letterhead which reads: "Russell Smith / R-S / Registered Quarter Horses / Paicines, California." Russell Smith was actively involved in the PCQHA, so it would make sense that the binder was his. However, the letter is dated 1955 and the horse information is from 1965-1966, so... GOOD condition, some of the pages have pulled away from the 3 rings and are torn at the holes, but they remain in their proper order; otherwise the pages are bright, clean, clear and fully legible. An interesting look at Quarter Horse Breeding in Northern California.

NORTHERN WATERFRONT PLAN.

Produced by John S. Bolles Associates for the City Planning Commission of the City in cooperation with the San Francisco Port Authority, 1968.

From the Introduction: "The City of San Francisco and the San Francisco Port Authority have determined that it is essential at this time to ensure full use of its waterfront in a manner consistent with the waterfront's position as a unique and irreplaceable resource of not only the City but the entire Bay Area.

The purpose of the Northern Waterfront Plan is to guide future development in all areas on and contiguous to the harbor in a manner consistent with the interests of San Francisco. The plan must provide mechanisms and guidelines whereby public and private interests can work together to fulfill the social, economic and physical objectives with maximum benefit for all.

The challenges posed by this study have been to integrate an authentic maritime atmosphere into the character and fabric of the City, and to capture in a strong and positive manner the unique opportunities for imaginative and dramatic development of San Francisco's waterfront."

Hardcovers, no dustjacket as issued, 11x14 inches oblong, 146 pages.

Contains 85 ILLUSTRATIONS including maps, drawings, photos and architectural renderings.

GOOD condition, the covers are rubbed and scraped but still solid and doing their job well, there is some wear and a small hole to the front free endpaper, some of the inner hinges are cracked and a bit weak but still holding (this book is known for its weak glue binding), otherwise the inner pages are bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

This is the plan that guided the transformation of San Francisco's Northern Waterfront from the ugly, elevated freeway, desolate area that it was, into the techie mecca of expensive lofts, sailboats, and foodie playgrounds, that it is today.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is large and heavy and will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

GUEST DINNER PARTY PLANNER & ARRANGER BOOK owned by DAGNY CORCORAN, L.A. SOCIALITE, ART-BOOK MAVEN, BONNE VIVANTE, PHILANTHROPIST, and, perhaps most important, BEST DINNER PARTY HOST of the 1980s. The Planner provides handwritten details about Dagny's PRIVATE DINNER PARTIES and the leading Artists, Writers, Film Directors, Actors, Models, and others that attended from 1983 to 1987.

Faux leather covers titled in gilt with spiral bound inner pages. The Dinner Party Planner is in the form of a Date Book Planner. Published by At-A-Glance record books. Includes the following categories for each dinner party: Occasion, Time/Date, Guest List, Menu, Special Notes (China, Crystal, Centerpiece, Linen, etc.), and Seating Arrangement. There are 28 Dinner Parties recorded, each is detailed on one or both of two facing pages. Though the Hostess, and owner of this Dinner Party Planner, was clearly Dagny Corcoran, the details of the parties were written in various hands, some in Dagny's (she referred to herself as ME when noting the seating arrangements), while most are probably in the hands of her assistants. There are also unused pages. VERY GOOD condition, solid, clean, with writing that is bright and clear throughout.

TWENTY-EIGHT DINNER PARTIES held by DAGNY CORCORAN from 1983 to 1987 are recorded in this book. If you attended one of these dinner parties you were at the HEIGHT of the L.A. ART & LITERARY SCENE. This DINNER PARTY PLANNER gives an almost I WAS THERE look at each of the Dinner Parties.

Here are some of the guests (many, such as David Hockney, came repeatedly):

DAGNY CORCORAN (the Host), KIRSTIN "KIKI" KISER (Model, famous Architect), KATHRYN BIGELOW (Film Director, one time spouse of James Cameron), DAVID HOCKNEY (artist), FRANK GEHRY (architect), PAUL MORRISSEY (filmmaker, Andy Warhol associate), MITCHELL LICHTENSTEIN (American actor and director, son of Roy Lichtenstein), HELMUT NEWTON (Photographer) DENNIS HOPPER (Actor, Artist), MARIN HOPPER (Filmmaker, daughter of Dennis Hopper), SAMANTHA EGGAR (Actor), LISA LYON (Model for Mappelthorpe, Bodybuilder), RICHARD SERRA (Artist), JOAN DIDION (Writer), JOHN DUNNE (Writer), BIANCA JAGGER (Actor, Activist), CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD (Writer), DON BACHARDY (Isherwood's Life Partner), NINA CAMPBELL (Interior Designer), WILLIAM STYRON (Writer), PRINCE RUPERT LOEWENSTEIN (Aristocrat, Financial Manager of the Rolling Stones), RICHARD GERE (Actor), SYLVIA MARTINS (Artist - from 1978-1986 Gere and Martins were in an on and off again relationship), DIANE VON FURSTENBURG (Designer), BARRY DILLER (Media Honcho), BROOKE HAYWARD (Actress), PETER DUCHIN (Pianist), and others.

Here are the details of the book's first recorded dinner party:

The Occasion: KIKI'S RETURN.

Time/Date: 01.02.83 8ish.

Guest List: KIKI KISER, KATHRYN BIGELOW, MITCHELL LICHTENSTEIN, DAGNY (DAGNY CORCORAN), and DENNIS (DENNIS HOPPERr).

Attire: Extremely Casual.

Menu: Port + Stilton, Cracked Dungeness Crab, Pasta Primavera, Radicchio & Arugula Salad, Raspberry Mousse, Beer, Vodka, Grape Juice, Wine, Soda. Special Notes: Metropolitan Dishes, Japanese Wine Glasses, Cluff Family Linen, Cluff Silverware, Janss Finger Bowls. Seating Arrangement: (as shown in the diagram).

THIS GUEST DINNER PARTY PLANNER IS INCREDIBLE READING, so much can be conjectured from these parties: Was Dagny trying to play matchmaker? Was she trying to set Kathryn Bigelow up? Who was Bianca Jagger's date which is written down in the Guest List as "Eurotrash #1"?

Truly a UNIQUE LOOK at what was happening in the 1980s gatherings of the high society Artists and Literati, and the wealthy that wanted to be seen among them.

Dagny Corcoran, and every one of the guests that attended her parties, is worth reading about on the Internet, together they formed an intimate part of the 80's L.A. scene.

ATTRACTING HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY TO OAKLAND: A PLAN OF ACTION. Submitted TO the Office of Economic Development and Employment, City of Oakland, Oakland, California, BY Dow Associates, Inc., Berkeley, California, July 8, 1981, as revised July 27, 1981. Printed yellow paper covers, plastic spiral bound, 8.5x11 inches, iv, 67 pages, pages printed on one side only. From the opening Summary: "Dow Associates, Inc., presents herein the results of a three month study to (1) assess the potential of Oakland for attracting high growth, high technology companies and related labor intensive technical support companies and (2) prepare a Plan of Action to realize that potential. The work was directed toward identifying an optimal match between Oakland's resources and the needs of such companies." VERY GOOD condition, just lightly used, still tight, bright, clean and unmarked. Oakland as a Hi-Tech Center for the San Francisco Bay Area? That was the idea back in 1981.