Harris, Marchand & Co. was formed on October 3, 1855, by Harvey Harris, who had come to America from Denmark, and who had worked as a melter and refiner at the New Orleans Mint, later moving to San Francisco where he worked at the Mint there, as well as at Kellogg & Humbert and at Justh & Hunter. Then he decided to go in partnership with Desire Marchand to form the partnership name, and with Charles L. Farrington as the “& Co.” Aime D. Marchand and James D. Marchand were on the staff as assayers. Their office was at 107 J. Street in Sacramento. Desire Marchand was born in Belgium and studied at the Paris Mint while a teenager, earning the right to use his own registered assayer stamp, with an all-seeing eye with rays emanating from it — the only distinctive stamp used by any assayer connected with the S.S. Central America. Farrington, born in Maine, had been a treasurer for Wells, Fargo & Co. in California. The gold bars of Harris and Marchand were highly esteemed in their time.
The Sacramento Union on October 4, 1855, carried an announcement:
“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.” On January 1, 1856, the Sacramento Union commented on the success of the firm: “…they have 381 deposits, representing 16,899 1/2 ounces. The lowest pay per ounce was $12.65, the highest $20.11.”
The firm advertised that it was open. “Gold and ores of every description assayed promptly and faithfully…” Further, Spanish, English, French, German, Swedish and Danish languages were spoken at the office — certainly an interesting distinction in the Gold Rush era in which treasure hunters from all over the world descended upon California.
The firm opened another office in Marysville, California on January 9, 1856. Their office was located on E Street, and the principles 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.
Regarding Marysville, on December 1855 the Marysville Express printed this:
“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 there. Mr. Harris is an old acquaintance from Crescent City, from which place he brings the highest testimonials from men eminent in their profession. Of the time of opening their establishment due notice will be given.”
The Marysville office opened for business on January 9, 1856.
The partnership advertised in the Marysville Herald, January 15, 1856:
“Marysville Assay Office, Harris, Marchand & Co., E St., Near the Corner of Second St., Marysville in addition to 107 J Street, Sacramento.
H. Harris, Melter and Refiner
D. Marchand, Assayer
I.M. Merrill, Treasurer and Business Agent.”
The Marysville office advertised:
“The above mentioned firm having established themselves in Marysville, in the business of Melting, Refining and Assaying Gold and Ores of every description, are now prepared to attend to any business that may be entrusted to them, faithfully and with dispatch. We guarantee the correctness of our Assays, and bind ourselves to pay all differences which may arise with any of the U.S. Mints.
Returns made in from six to twelve hours, in bars or coin. Bars bearing our stamp, will be recognized and received at the usual rates by bankers and shippers of treasure. Miners, and dealers in gold dust in the country, sending dust to us per Express, can receive returns in bars or coin per return Express. Thus saving the time and expense of sending their deposits to San Francisco. Our terms for assaying, are the same as in the San Francisco Offices.…”
Charles I. Farrington, a partner, left the firm on June 1, 1857 after which Harris, Marchand & Co. was generally known simply as Harris & Marchand, although the imprint continued.
Silver Ingots
For a full review of the silver ingots made by Harvey Harris, visit the following page:
https://rareingot.com/harvey-harris-assayer/
S.S. Central America Ingots
Approximately 40 Harris, Marchand & Co. gold ingots were recovered from the SSCA shipwreck. We will reference only a small number of them here as we find ingots that have exceptional eye appeal or interesting characteristics.
Following is an attractive and small ingot we have stumbled across before in the wild on social media. It is quite the looker!
14.52 oz, No 6538, $204.70 Face Value
For a census of the known serial numbers, weights, and monetary values stamped refer to: https://finestknown.com/california-gold-rush-monetary-ingots/