AL signed by Mark Hopkins and several others, including: C.P. Huntington, Theo J. Millikin, Geo Rowland, L.H. Foote, B.C. Whiting, Jos. W. Winans, C. Cole, A.K.P. Harmon, E.B. Crocker, and 1 unidentified signature. On light-blue watermarked stationery. 25x19.5 cm (9¾x7¾").

The signature of Mark Hopkins is one of the major rarities in American autographs, and is very seldom observed. The letter, addressed to R.J. Stevens, Esq. reads in full: "Mrs. Henry J. Crabb is desirous of obtaining employment at the Branch U.S. Mint at San Francisco. Her husband as you are probably aware was formerly a prominent politician in this State and was massacred at Cavorca some years since. His wife who is a member of one of the oldest and most respectable Spanish families of California has by means of his death and disasters that have followed her family which at the time of her marriage was wealthy, been reduced to penury. She moreover has at present two children depending upon her for support. We cheerfully recommend her to you as a fit recipient of your patronage being assured that her appointment would in fact be a true charity." The letter, recommending Mrs. Henry A. Crabb to Superintendent R.J. Stevens for employment at the Branch U.S. Mint at San Francisco, bears the extremely rare signature of Mark Hopkins. Mark Hopkins (1813-1878) was an iron and hardware merchant in California during the Gold Rush era. In 1861, Hopkins formed the Central Pacific Railroad with Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Collis P. Huntington. Hopkins served as treasurer for the CPRR throughout the construction period, until his death in 1878. This document is also signed by Hopkins' partner in the hardware business and in the CPRR, Collis P. Huntington, and by E.B. Crocker, the attorney for the CPRR. Eight other prominent California businessmen signed the letter, four of whom were early stockholders in the Central Pacific Railroad.