Arbuckle Bank Check Appraisal

Historical Bank Check from Bank of Arbuckle, 1920

This is a vintage personal or commercial bank check issued by the Bank of Arbuckle, located in Arbuckle, California. Dated May 24, 1920, the check is numbered 2823 and made payable to 'Motor Vehicle Dept of Cal' in the amount of six dollars and sixty cents ($6.60). The item is printed on off-white or cream-colored paper stock with elaborate black plate printing featuring fine-line scrollwork and decorative typography typical of early 20th-century financial instruments. A notable aesthetic feature is the 'Bank of Arbuckle' name rendered in a large, elegant Spencerian-style script. The check includes a red ink stamp indicating it was 'RECEIVED' on May 25, 1920. The left edge shows a perforated ragged margin, indicating it was torn from a larger checkbook ledger. The check is signed with a fountain pen in blue-black ink, though the signature is partially illegible. Condition-wise, the paper displays a natural aged patina with slight yellowing and minor edge wear consistent with its 100-plus-year age. There is no major tearing or significant foxing visible. The check also features a bank transit number (90-543 / 12) and a printed check protector line for the dollar amount, which was a common security feature to prevent alteration. This piece represents a tangible artifact of California's financial history and early automotive administrative history.