Montana Mining Claim Receipt - April 28, 1865 - Virginia City
MONTANA MINING CLAIM RECEIPT – APRIL 28, 1865 – VIRGINIA CITY
Printed mining claim receipt completed in manuscript. Dated April 28, 1865 and filed in Madison County recorder’s office with Robert Hill being County Recorder. Virginia City, MT. Montana Post Print. 7½ x 3¼ inches. Light edge wear, a few creases. Very good.
A very early example of Montana printing, and a record of early mining in the region. According to McMurtrie, the first printing press in Montana is believed to be that brought by Francis M. Thompson to Bannack in the spring of 1863. This press was followed a year later by the arrival at Virginia City of "more consequential printing equipment." This Virginia City press was run by Marion M. Manner, and printed the MONTANA POST and the present mining receipts. This same press produced the first printed book in Montana, the mining LAWS OF FAIRWEATHER DISTRICT, in 1864. This receipt is signed in manuscript by Robert Hill as Recorder of Madison County and is dated April 28, 1865. An engraved image of an Indian is in the left margin, and the printing is made up of various typefaces. McMURTRIE (MONTANA), p.10.