PBA Galleries

7½ x 3¼ inches, single sheet.

A very early piece of Montana printing, and a record of mining in the region.   The printed receipt here is signed in manuscript by Robert Hill, Recorder of Madison County, and dated in early 1865.  An engraved image of an Indian is in the left margin, and "Territory of Montana" is printed in large, elaborate type across the top.

According to McMurtrie, the first printing press in Montana is believed to be that brought by Francis M. Thompson to Bannack in the spring of 1863.  This press was followed a year later by the arrival at Virginia City of "more consequential printing equipment."  This Virginia City press was run by Marion M. Manner, and printed the Montana PostT and the present mining receipts.  This same press produced the first printed book in Montana, the mining Laws of Fairweather District, in 1864.