Lot 20 email save

CALIFORNIA - ALASKA, Historic Document

Sign In to see what this sold for

Autographs

---

Highly Important Early California Item from the Colonial Period

CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO & ALASKA.
Document Signed, “Ramon Saavedra,” in brown ink, Puebla, Mexico, December 12, 1813, with the text of the letter in Spanish, 12.25” x 8.5”, 6 pages, Choice Extremely Fine. This is a 30-year Naval Service Record in manuscript of Royal Spanish Naval Lieutenant Ramon Antonio Saadvedra. It describes his service along the California Coast to Nooka Sound, Alaska. The document mentions his command of the “San Carlos” in 1791. This is the vessel that was used to discover San Francisco Bay in 1775. Also mentioned is his command during the famous expedition against the rebellious Indians of Sonora in 1799. The service record also mentions Saavedra was part of the party that demolished the fortifications installed by the Spanish at Nooka Sound, Alaska. This action nearly caused war between Spain and England. The service record mentions numerous other items including his most important command- that of the “Princesa” in 1806, perhaps the most famous California ship of the Colonial Period. This fabulous document covers a 30-year period from 1782 to 1813, mentioning many important events that this early naval commander was involved in relating to the development and settlement of California and Alaska during the Spanish colonial period. Also signed by Juan Gonzales del Campo and Francisco Ximenez de Saaedra.
A truly important manuscript, especially when documents relating to this early era in California’s history are very rarely encountered from such an key naval figure such as Saavedra, which is signed by him at the conclusion of the last page of the record. All the pages are complete with no tears. A light tone is evident over the entire document. In fabulous condition and displayed in a nice maroon folder. Extremely rare and very possibly unique!

View Early American next auction.

Similar lots up for auction