226

Lola Montez (1821-1861)

Autograph Letter Signed.

California, circa 1853-1855.
Undated letter on blue laid writing paper, folded and inscribed over one page in English to "My dear Potter," "Enclosed is a note to Mr. Muler in which I have told him that you are a partizan of the Boss and that you would explain to him what is required of his service in this matter. I cannot [?] Nevada until Monday."; 7 3/4 x 5 in.

It's almost certain that Lola Montez is referring to Grass Valley, CA in Nevada county in this letter. Montez moved to a wood frame house in that town in 1853, likely the period of this missive. The entertainer left California for Australia in the spring of 1855.

"For 95 years the storm clouds raging over Lola's memory have persisted in Grass Valley. Even to this day there is heated dispute as to her character and ability. The Montez cottage, certainly the most famous residence in all Nevada County, has been drastically altered since Lola departed. Yet thousands have paid twenty-five cents apiece to visit the privately owned home; 1200 in 1949 alone. It is very odd, this fact which continually astonished Grass Valley, that an old house and a perfumed legend should be its best-known character. Such, perhaps, are the dividends of glamor." (Quoted from Ralph Friedman's "Lola Montez in Grass Valley", from Prairie Schooner, vol. 25 no. 1, Spring 1951.)

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    Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: [email protected]


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April 23, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
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