1895 Letterhead & Envelope GRAND ELECTRIC CARNIVAL Sacramento FOLSOM California

DESCRIPTION: 1895 color pictorial letterhead [folded to fit envelope] with envelope; GRAND ELECTRIC CARNIVAL, Sacramento, California; Folsom; envelope measuring 5-1/8 inches by 4-1/8 inches [folded letterhead 1/8 inch smaller all around]

CONDITION: Letter sheet & envelope FINE [see scans].

SECURITY: ARGUS BOOKS [or other wording] in PINK may have been super-imposed over the images for security or informational reasons and are not on the actual item.

HISTORY: One historic result was Folsom Powerhouse, which began operations in July 13, 1895. Power was delivered to Sacramento at 11,000 volts, a new achievement in long-distance high-voltage transmission which the capital celebrated by a Grand Electric Carnival September 9, 1895 [The date on this letterhead and Envelope].

The opening of the powerhouse brought with it a parade through downtown Sacramento and a 100-gun salute from a detachment of soldiers near the substation. Vintage generators are still in place at the powerhouse, as is the control switchboard, faced with Tennessee marble.

A celebration was held September 9, 1895 [The date on this letterhead and Envelope], in conjunction with the Annual State Fair and California Admission Day. The gala was dubbed a "Grand Electric Carnival," and indeed it was -- a night parade of illuminated floats mounted on electric streetcars rolled down streets ablaze with electric lights. The Capitol building itself was outlined by lights that could be seen for 50 miles.

SHIPPING: All paper items [broadsides, labels, pamphlets, brochures, photos, etc.] that are 1/4 of an inch thick or less are shipped inside an eBay stiff hardboard sleeve with 2 additional stiff hardboard cards inside by USPS Media mail [unless other arrangements have been made with seller].
[XK – B2 – S4 (code to locate the item)]