Western America
California Letters “There are a number of orange and fig trees on the place …” to Connecticut From 1883 to 1893
1883 to 1893 Dated, Lot of Six (6) Original Letters, Mailed from Northern California to Connecticut, Very Fine.
Collection of California and related Letters, c. 1880s, which describe conditions in Stockton, Oroville, Avon, California, and the Southwest. The family moved from Connecticut to California to operate a ranch with over 8,000 acres. All addressed to “Hester Warner” of Hamburg, Connecticut.

1. Feb. 17, 1883, Oroville, Butte Co., California, 8” x 5” lined paper, 3 pages, in part: “There are a number of orange and fig trees on the place, and I expect I shall think of you when the figs are ripe. It look very queer to me to see so many Chinamen but I do not think much about it now. We have one here to work in the kitchen…”

2. May 23, 1883, Oroville, CA, 8” x 5” lined paper, 4 pages, describing the weather, the crops, and general family life.

3. Sept. 11, 1884, Signed by “Hinnie H. Shippee”, Nelson, Butte Co., California, 8” x 5” lined paper, 4 pages, with general talk of the weather and crops. Includes original envelope, postmarked, with missing stamp.

4. July 1885, Signed “Shippee”, on “Stockton Cal” gilt-raised letterhead, 6.75” x 4.5”, 4 pages, discussing painting lessons, the Fourth of July, and the weather. Includes “Stockton” postmarked envelope—absent postage stamp.

5. June 28, 1886, Stockton, CA, 9.75” x 7.75” lined paper cover letter for enclosures, which include a “Recording of Deeds” from Philadelphia, undated. Accompanied by “Stockton” postmarked envelope—absent postage stamp.

6. April 9, 1893, Signed “H.H. Shippee,” Avon, California, 11” x 8.5” lined paper. Includes “Oroville” postmarked envelope—absent postage stamp.

(6 letters)