IMPORTANT MINIATURE GOLDEN SPIKE WATCH FOB FROM THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD “GOLDEN SPIKE” OF 1869.

IMPORTANT MINIATURE GOLDEN SPIKE WATCH FOB FROM THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD “GOLDEN SPIKE” OF 1869. From the original gold spike used at the ceremony of laying the final section of the Transcontinental Railroad. “The Last Spike” was 5-5/8” long and weighed 14.13 oz and 17.6 carats fine. It was inscribed on four sides with the names of the officers and directors, the donor and the salutation and on the top was the words “The Last Spike”. It now resides at Stanford University. The original spike had a nugget attached to its head that was broken off to be turned into souvenirs. The gold spike was presented by David Hewes of San Francisco and accepted by President Leland Stanford of the Central Pacific Railroad. The spike was made and finished by Schulz, Fischer & Mohrig, San Francisco. The solid gold miniature spike has a drilled hole on the pointed end. The spike is approximately 1” l and is inscribed on four sides. 1) “The Last Spike” 2) “Driven May 10. 1869.”. 3) “from D. Hewes.” 4) “to Benj..n Cox.” Spike is in very fine condition. Accompanying the spike is a collection of family material which is included and is described below. PROVENANCE: Consigned by the recipient through descent as follows: Benjamin Cox gave it to his son Benjamin Leroy Cox who gave it to his only child, Emily Cox Northup who gave it to her only child, Richard Cox Northup who married our consignor’s mother’s sister, Janet. Richard died in 1991 and Janet died in 2001. They had no children and our consignor was their eldest niece and inherited the contents of their home upon Janet’s death. Included is the Cox Family history which is presented in an old and quite thorough accounting of the family line which was written by George Tyler Northup and features the family of his wife Emily B. Cox who was the granddaughter of the miniature spike recipient. David Hewes’ sister (Mary Ann) married Benjamin Cox Senior which is the Cox family connection to the Transcontinental Railroad story. Included there are thirteen carte de visites, tintype, photograph on milk glass, miniature portrait on porcelain brooch, daguerreotype and two ambrotypes. These are described as follows: 4-1/4” x 3-1/4” daguerreotype of Benjamin Cox and Mary Ann Hewes Cox; 1-1/2” oval portrait on porcelain brooch inscribed “Mrs. Mary Ann Cox D. Hewes To His Sister Mary Ann Jan 1896”;. A 2-1/2” x 2” ambrotype of Mary Ann Hewes Cox; Three carte de visites and one tintype of Benjamin Leroy Cox; Uncased 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” ambrotype and carte de visite which is purported to be Benjamin Leroy Cox, Mary Ann Hewes Cox, Adalaide Hewes Cox and Mary Ellen Cox Simpson. Carte de visite is signed “Jacob Shew San Francisco”. Two carte de visites of Mary Ann Hewes Cox, sister of David Hewes; Carte de visite of Benjamin Cox who received the spike; Two carte de visites of Mary Ellen Cox, Carte de visite of Adalaide Hewes Cox and Benjamin Leroy Cox; Carte de visite of Adalaide Hewes Cox; Carte de visite marked Benjamin Cox and another Carte de visit marked Benjamin Cox Jr. This souvenir spike can be considered one of the most significant objects of art relating to the Transcontinental Railroad, the West, California and the discovery of gold which is all considered to be the most important events shaping the American West. CONDITION: Photographs and history show family use, generally very good. 9-28816 (15000-25000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2006

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	515	$27,025.00	IMPORTANT MINIATURE GOLDEN SPIKE WATCH FOB FROM THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD “GOLDEN SPIKE” OF 1869. From the original gold spike used at the ceremony of laying the final section of the Transcontinental Railroad. “The Last Spike” was 5-5/8” long and weighed 14.13 oz and 17.6 carats fine. It was inscribed on four sides with the names of the officers and directors, the donor and the salutation and on the top was the words “The Last Spike”. It now resides at Stanford University. The original spike had a nugget attached to its head that was broken off to be turned into souvenirs. The gold spike was presented by David Hewes of San Francisco and accepted by President Leland Stanford of the Central Pacific Railroad. The spike was made and finished by Schulz, Fischer & Mohrig, San Francisco. The solid gold miniature spike has a drilled hole on the pointed end. The spike is approximately 1” l and is inscribed on four sides. 1) “The Last Spike” 2) “Driven May 10. 1869.”. 3) “from D. Hewes.” 4) “to Benj..n Cox.” Spike is in very fine condition. Accompanying the spike is a collection of family material which is included and is described below. PROVENANCE: Consigned by the recipient through descent as follows: Benjamin Cox gave it to his son Benjamin Leroy Cox who gave it to his only child, Emily Cox Northup who gave it to her only child, Richard Cox Northup who married our consignor’s mother’s sister, Janet. Richard died in 1991 and Janet died in 2001. They had no children and our consignor was their eldest niece and inherited the contents of their home upon Janet’s death. Included is the Cox Family history which is presented in an old and quite thorough accounting of the family line which was written by George Tyler Northup and features the family of his wife Emily B. Cox who was the granddaughter of the miniature spike recipient. David Hewes’ sister (Mary Ann) married Benjamin Cox Senior which is the Cox family connection to the Transcontinental Railroad story. Included there are thirteen carte de visites, tintype, photograph on milk glass, miniature portrait on porcelain brooch, daguerreotype and two ambrotypes. These are described as follows: 4-1/4” x 3-1/4” daguerreotype of Benjamin Cox and Mary Ann Hewes Cox; 1-1/2” oval portrait on porcelain brooch inscribed “Mrs. Mary Ann Cox D. Hewes To His Sister Mary Ann Jan 1896”;. A 2-1/2” x 2” ambrotype of Mary Ann Hewes Cox; Three carte de visites and one tintype of Benjamin Leroy Cox; Uncased 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” ambrotype and carte de visite which is purported to be Benjamin Leroy Cox, Mary Ann Hewes Cox, Adalaide Hewes Cox and Mary Ellen Cox Simpson. Carte de visite is signed “Jacob Shew San Francisco”. Two carte de visites of Mary Ann Hewes Cox, sister of David Hewes; Carte de visite of Benjamin Cox who received the spike; Two carte de visites of Mary Ellen Cox, Carte de visite of Adalaide Hewes Cox and Benjamin Leroy Cox; Carte de visite of Adalaide Hewes Cox; Carte de visite marked Benjamin Cox and another Carte de visit marked Benjamin Cox Jr. This souvenir spike can be considered one of the most significant objects of art relating to the Transcontinental Railroad, the West, California and the discovery of gold which is all considered to be the most important events shaping the American West. CONDITION: Photographs and history show family use, generally very good. 9-28816 (15000-25000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2006 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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