FIELD TALK #3 | His Majesty's Ink: The Boutique Printers of Emperor Norton's Bonds & Decrees, 1870–1880
NOTE: This is an archived announcement of an event that already has taken place. Ticketing links have been disabled.
The second Niantic Hotel, at the northwest corner of Sansome and Clay Streets, San Francisco; possibly dated 1865. Both the printing firm of Cuddy & Hughes and the Pacific Appeal newspaper operated out of the building visible at the far right. Photograph from the collection of James R. Smith.
It's well-known that Emperor Norton had his imperial promissory notes — his monetary "scrip" — printed for him.
But, rarely if ever discussed in any detail — even among collectors and connoisseurs of historical currency — are the particulars...
Who were these printers?
What were their associations?
How did they get their "gigs" with the Emperor, and how did they fit into his world?
Exactly when and where did they do their printing for him?
The Emperor's Bridge Campaign* recently completed a research project that pulls back the curtain on the answers to these questions.
At the Campaign's next Field Talk — on Sunday 4 June — we'll share the results of our findings. We'll visit the sites and tell the stories of the two firms that printed all of Emperor Norton's bonds and most of his Proclamations: Cuddy & Hughes and Charles A. Murdock & Co.
Our site-specific Field Talks are like historical walking tours — but with very little walking! We explore the history of Emperor Norton-related locations at a much deeper level of detail than traditional walking tours are able to offer.
You'll learn an awful lot about something very specific in an hour or less.
Then you can join us for a drink afterwards.
Admission is free if you're an Emissary of the Empire with a valid card — or you can buy an a la carte ticket for $10 below.
Join us on June 4th!
Field Talk #3
HIS MAJESTY'S INK
The Boutique Printers of Emperor Norton's Bonds & Decrees, 1870–1880
Sunday 4 June at 4 p.m.
GATHER
North side of Clay Street between Montgomery & Sansome Streets
Across from Leidesdorff Street
San Francisco
ADMISSION
FREE to Emissaries of the Empire
(Not an Emissary yet? Join online, or pay in cash on event day.)
All others: $10 in advance or on the day
No paper tickets.
No one will be turned away for financial reasons.
* In December 2019, The Emperor's Bridge Campaign adopted a new name: The Emperor Norton Trust.