3 oz CA – 1871 – Silver Presentation Ingot * C. Orlandini
This small, 3 oz., rectangular, classic presentation silver ingot is similar to many presentation ingots of the 1870’s. It measures 1.75 x 0.5 x 0.3” thick, and is beautifully hand engraved, inscribed: “C. Orlandini A Miss Ridgway, Souvenir di California, Stagione 1871.”
C. Orlandini was born in Italy about 1850, and came to the U.S. possibly in the late 1860’s. While he was in the U.S., not much is known about him, since he was not counted in any U.S. Census. Ultimately, he came to California and met Miss Ridgway about 1870-1871. He may have had this silver ingot made in 1871 as a gift for his friend Miss Ridgway about Christmastime. Orlandini left the U.S. (probably California) in April, 1883 at the age of 33 as a party of three.
He boarded the ship City of Alexandria in Vera Cruz, Mexico, and had their own cabin. The ship was bound for New York and Italy, arriving in New York in May, according to New York Passenger Ship records. The City of Alexandria was part of the New York, Havana and Mexico Mail Steamship Line. With no other records other than the New York passenger records, it is unknown if Miss Ridgway and Mr. Orlandini got married and had a child, then left for Italy in 1883. There were a number of Ridgways in California, including Mariposa in the 1870’s. Italians were of major importance to the development of the West. They immigrated to the U.S. by the thousands, seeking a new life and active employment.
Many of the western mining towns were Italian based, especially in eastern California and Nevada. Virginia City, Eureka and most of the large Nevada mining areas still have their Italian descendants living there.
Provenance: Holabird-Kagin Fall 2006 Bass Collection.
[10/2010] https://www.icollector.com/CA-1871-Silver-Presentation-Ingot-C-Orlandini_i9798885 ($5,100)