Harris, Marchand & Co., Sacramento (and Marysville). Gold ingot. · No. 6466. · $286.04. · 813 Fine. · 17.02 Oz. (CAGB-107)

Harris, Marchand & Co. $286.04 Gold Ingot

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Harris, Marchand & Co., Sacramento (and Marysville). Gold ingot. · No. 6466. · $286.04. · 813 Fine. · 17.02 Oz. (CAGB-107)
Length: 42.9 mm. Width: 53.4 mm. Depth: 14.8 mm. Face: NO. 6466 HARRIS MARCHAND & CO. arcs above all-seeing eye trademark 17.02 OZ 813 FINE $286.04. All five other sides are blank and unadorned. Tiny wedge taken from upper right corner of face for assaying purposes. Bright and lustrous olive gold with an overall appeal that bespeaks the history of the Gold Rush, an item that is essentially a national treasure.
No gold ingots of this firm were known to have survived until the recovery of the S.S. Central America treasure.

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History of Harris, Marchand & Co.Sacramento and Marysville The partners of this firm, Harvey Harris and Desire Marchand, were immigrants from Europe. Harris was born in Denmark about 1815, arriving sometime later in the U.S. At various times he held positions as melter-refiner at the New Orleans Mint and the San Francisco Mint, as well as with Kellogg & Co. (Kellogg & Humbert), and briefly with Justh and Hunter, another assay company from San Francisco. Of his partner, Desire C. Marchand, very little about his early life is actually known. It is thought he was born circa 1835 in Belgium, although later records seem to point to a French origin. He probably came to America about 1852 with his brother, Aime (born circa 1836), and perhaps their father, who was rumored to be a personal acquaintance of John Sutter. Aime is known to have worked at the Kellogg Assay Office as well. Desire Marchand learned his trade at an early age and later passed an examination at the Paris Mint. He then registered his privy stamp, the all-seeing eye with rays that became the trademark of Harris, Marchand & Co. The firm of Harris, Marchand & Co. was established October 3, 1855, in offices secured at 107 J Street, Sacramento. The "& Co." of the establishment was C.L Farrington of Maine, who had once been treasurer of Wells, Fargo & Co. in California. The October 4, 1855 edition of the Sacramento Union announced the following: "An assay office, the likes of which in this city has long been a source of delay and expense to our citizens-has been established by Harris, Marchand & Co., on J Street, between 4th and 5th Streets. We visited their establishment yesterday-the first of active operations-and were shown specimens of their labor, ingots Nos. 1 and 2." The firm advertised as well, one such advertisement reading: "Gold and ores of every description assayed promptly and faithfully, and returns made within from 6 to 24 hours in bars or coin. We guarantee our assays and will pay all differences that may arise in the same with the assays of the United States Mints. Spanish, French, English, German, Swedish, and Danish languages spoken in the office." On January 1, 1856, the Sacramento Union commented on the success of the firm: "Assaying: We have two assaying offices, both located on J Street-the one between 4th and 5th Streets, conducted by Harris, Marchand & Co., and the other between 2d and 3d Streets, under the proprietorship of Blake & Agrell. The former was established on the 3d of October last, since which time they have 381 deposits, representing 16,899.1 ounces. The lowest pay per ounce was $12.65, the highest $20.11." The firm soon expanded to Marysville, California. In December 1855, the Marysville Express printed the following item: "ASSAY OFFICE: We are pleased to learn that Messrs. Harris, Marchand & Co. are about establishing an assay office in this city, and for this purpose have leased a building on E Street, and have most of their materials here. Mr. Harris is an old acquaintance from Crescent City, from which place he brings the highest testimonials from men eminent in their professions. Of the time of opening their establishment due notice will be given." The firm opened for business on January 9, 1856, and on January 11, the Marysville Herald announced the opening of the Harris, Marchand & Co. offices, and included an in-depth description of the assaying process in the article. Their Marysville office was located on E Street, near the corner of Second Street. At the time, the principals were listed as H. Harris, melter and refiner; D. Marchand, assayer; and I.M. Merrill, treasurer and business agent. By December 31, 1856, the firm had assayed 72,105 ounces of gold. The June 1, 1857 edition of the Sacramento Union announced that C.L. Farrington retired from the firm, leaving just Harris and Marchand as active partners. It also noted: "All demands against the old firm will be settled, if any, by H. Harris, at Marysville, or D. Marchand, at Sacramento." The firm lasted until 1859. On October 3 of that year, the Sacramento Union printed the following: "ASSAY OFFICE OF HARRIS AND MARCHAND, Marysville. September 29, 1859. By limitation the copartnership between H. Harris and D. Marchand has expired. H. Harris will continue the business of assaying in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Marysville, as heretofore having purchased the entire interest of D. Marchand. H. Harris. 78 J Street, Sacramento. Also E Street, near the corner of Second, Marysville, and 105 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. Will continue to carry on the business of melting, refining, and assaying gold and ores, of every description. He guarantees the correctness of his assays, and binds himself to pay the difference that may arise with any of the U.S. Mints. Returns made in from six to 12 hours, nine in bars or coin. Specimens of quartz assayed and valued. Terms for assaying the same as in San Francisco. H. Harris" Other Marchand family members remained in the trade in various capacities. By 1860, Aime Marchand, brother of Desire, was operating an assay office in Victoria, British Columbia. Harvey Harris continued the assay business in various locations through 1863, when he sold his interest to Knight & Co. He later became a prominent assayer in Nevada during the high times of the Comstock Lode. He passed away February 12, 1894, in Gold Hill, Nevada.