North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Montana Premier March 4th Collector Auction

Sat, Mar 4, 2023 11:00AM EST
Lot 515

1885 Virginia City Elling Buford Co. Ledger Book

Estimate: $250 - $500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
For your consideration is this 1885-1890 Virginia City, Montana ledger book from the Elling Buford Company (S.R. Buford & Co.). The Elling Buford Co. was Virginia City’s first brick building, built by clothing merchant E. J. Walter in 1875. It is said that construction using locally produced bricks was accomplished as a test before the building of the Madison County Courthouse. Backed by banker Henry Elling, Simeon R. Buford opened the region’s largest grocery store here in 1878. Buford’s was the supply point for most of southwestern Montana, including the infant “Butte City.” In later years, Butte’s huge warehouses would, in turn, supply Buford’s own business. The ledger book features many receipts on items bought from the store such as nails, tobacco, tools, food and more dating from 1885 to 1890. The ledger book is in good condition with wear to the front cover and spine from its vintage age. The edges of pages are worn slightly from receipts hanging outside of the book. The book is still tightly bound and all the pages and cover are secure. The book measures 15 1/4" L x 9 3/4" W x 1 1/2" D.