Neal H. Brockmeyer collection of banking and mining ephemera, 1850-1941

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Summary

Creators:
Brockmeyer, Neal H.
Abstract:
The Neal H. Brockmeyer collection consists of approximately 1,030 checks, certificates of deposit, bills of exchange, stock and bond certificates, and other financial documents. Materials date from approximately 1850 to 1941 and relate primarily to banking and mining businesses in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. A majority of the items are engravings, but some are lithographs.
Extent:
3.22 Linear Feet (1 flat box and 5 binders)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Neal H. Brockmeyer collection of banking and mining ephemera, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Neal H. Brockmeyer collection consists of approximately 1,030 checks, stock and bond certificates, and other financial documents. Materials date from approximately 1850 to 1941 and relate primarily to banking and mining industries in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.

The collection has 20 oversize items comprised mainly of stock and bond certificates. Smaller sized items number over 1,010 and are comprised mainly of checks, stock and bond certificates, certificates of deposit, and bills of exchange.

Imagery and text on the materials pertain to the history of business and economics in Western Americana. Many of the items are decorated with engraved imagery of miners, patriotic symbols (presidents, eagles, shields), classical and allegorical motifs (Lady Liberty, Greco-Roman figures), and of views (buildings, rural areas, naval ships). A majority of the items are engravings, but some are lithographs.

Some of the recurrent printers and lithographers of the items in the collection include: A.L. Bancroft & Co.; Edward Bosqui & Co.; Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co.; Britton & Rey; B.F. Butler's Lithograph Co.; A. Carlisle & Co.; Ezra A. Cook & Co.; H.S. Crocker & Co.; Hall & O'Donald Lithograph Co.; Geo. B. Hitchcock & Co.; A. Hoen & Co.; Krebs Lithographing Co.; LeCount Bros. & Mansur's Stationery Establishment; Major & Knapp Engraving Manufacturing and Lithographic Co.; Schmidt Label & Lithograph Co.; Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.; Union Lithograph Co.; and Western Lithograph Co.

Biographical / historical:

Neal H. Brockmeyer (1938-) is a California native who resides in La Cañada Flintridge, California. He graduated from Stanford University in 1960 and received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 1963. He practiced law in Los Angeles for over 50 years.

Brockmeyer developed a strong interest in Western Americana from his travels throughout the Gold Country and other historical areas of the West. His interests, along with his specialization in corporate and securities law, led to his collecting of banking, mining and financial documents. Brockmeyer concentrated on collecting primarily California and Nevada historical items of the late 19th century. His collection was acquired over a span of forty years, either directly through collectors and dealers in the country, or by frequenting coin and currency shows and antique shops.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Neal H. and Mary Jane Brockmeyer, December 2010.
Processing information:

The collection was organized and rehoused by David Mihaly in 2018. The preliminary finding aid was prepared by Krystle Satrum in April 2021. In February 2022, Mari Khasmanyan completed the finding aid and processing.

Arrangement:

Organized in the following series:

  • Series 1. Small size banking and mining ephemera, 1850-1941, bulk 1870-1921
  • Series 2. Large size banking and mining ephemera, 1852-1910

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Neal H. Brockmeyer collection of banking and mining ephemera, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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