Gems of Philately
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | California Postal History & Western Express Covers | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Burr (1756-1836), Third Vice President of the United States 1801-1805. Manuscript free frank "Free A. Burr" signature as U.S. Senator from New York on 1796 folded letter sheet to New York City, postmarked "4/Ma" Franklin mark with matching straight line "Free" handstamp, docketed "May 4, 1796" on back flap, Extremely Fine and choice.Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. Aaron Burr Jr. was an influential American politician, businessman, lawyer, and Founding Father. He served as the third vice president of the United States from 1801 to 1805 during Thomas Jefferson's first term. Burr is perhaps best known for his notorious rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, which culminated in the deadly duel in Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804, where Burr fatally wounded Hamilton, who succumbed to his injuries the next day. |  | $1,500 |
| 2 | Henry Clay (1777-1852), Secretary of State 1825-29. Manuscript "Free H. Clay" free frank on folded cover datelined "Lebanon, 18th July, 1825", written and signed entirely in Clay's hand addressed to John H. James, Counselor at Law, Cincinnati, postmarked bold fancy "Lebanon, Ohio" serrated oval with manuscript July 24 date, with straight line "Free", small cover tear at top, two light vert. file folds, Very Fine.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.AN OUTSTANDING AUTOGRAPHED LETTER SIGNED FREE FRANK, WHICH IS THOUGHT TO BE THE FINEST KNOWN. Henry Clay, Sr. was an American lawyer, politician, and skilled orator who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. He served three different terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was also Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. He lost his campaigns for president in 1824, 1832 and 1844. Henry Clay generally did not indicate his office when franking mail as required by regulations. |  3 | $1,000 |
| 3 | David Crockett (1786-1836), Representative from Tennessee 1827-31 & 1833-35, Killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Free frank "Free, D. Crockett" on folded cover addressed fully in his hand (with different pen) to George Williamson in Cincinnati, Ohio, postmarked red "City of Washington Jan. 24" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, small "1834" docketing at top left, Very Fine, one of the finest known Crockett free franks, as they often are defective or fronts.Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.A RARE CONGRESSIONAL FREE FRANK BY DAVY CROCKETT, THE LEGENDARY AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN AND TEXAS WAR HERO WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO. David "Davy" Crockett served as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee, participated in the Texas Revolution, and met his end at the Battle of the Alamo. This iconic figure's signature is exceptionally rare in any format, especially as a free frank.Inside of folded letter sheet is pencil notation, "Autograph Frank of David Crockett, Purchased from Dr. A.H. Holl (?), Feb. 24, 1912". |  | $10,000 |
| 4 | J.C. Fremont, Free. Free franked signature as Senator from California on ca. 1851 cover to Washington D.C., neat "San Francisco, Cal." cds, Very Fine.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. On November 13, 1849, General Bennet C. Riley, without Washington approval, called for a state election to ratify the new California State constitution. On December 20, the California legislature voted to seat two senators to represent the state in the Senate. The front-runner was Fremont, a Free Soil Democrat, known for being a western hero. By random draw of straws, Gwin won the longer Senate term while Fremont won the shorter Senate term. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 5 | Ulysses S. Grant (1822-85), 18th President of the United States 1869-77. Free frank signature "U. S. Grant" as President on official "Executive Mansion, Secretary" imprint cover with "Secretary" crossed out by Grant, addressed in his hand to "Hon. H. Fisk, Secretary of State", probably carried privately outside of the mails, fresh & Very Fine.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Grant served in the Mexican War but made his mark in the Civil War. He won the first significant Union victory at Fort Donelson. At Shiloh, he took heavy losses but won and in July 1863, forced Vicksburg to surrender. He fought Lee throughout Virginia, including the Wilderness and Petersburg, and accepted his surrender at Appomattox. He won the 1868 Presidential election, and in office continued Reconstruction, signed a gold currency law, and saw the Panic of 1873. His administration was affected by several scandals though Grant was never involved. He was bankrupt in business but finished his memoirs a week before he died. |  | $750 |
| 6 | Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), 1st Secretary of the Treasury 1789-95. Manuscript free frank "Free A. Hamilton" as Secretary of the Treasury on 1792 folded cover addressed in his hand to the "William Webb Esq., Collector, Bath, Massachusetts", postmarked neat brown "22/IY" (July 22) Franklin mark with "FREE" handstamp, vert. file fold with small bit of re-enforced splitting at top, otherwise Very Fine.Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS IMPORTANT FREE FRANK. Alexander Hamilton was born circa January 11, 1755 on the island of Nevis, British West Indies. In 1777, Hamilton became General George Washington's assistant. In 1788, he convinced New Yorkers to agree to ratify the U.S Constitution. He then served as the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, from 1789 to 1795. On July 12, 1804, in New York City, Hamilton died of a gunshot wound that he sustained during a duel with Aaron Burr. |  | $1,500 |
| 7 | Anna Harrison (1775-1864), Wife of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the U.S. Manuscript "Free, Anna Harrison" free frank as Presidential Widow on folded cover addressed in her hand to George Mendenhall in Cleveland Oh., red "Cleves, O, Jue 3" straightline with blue manuscript day, Very Fine and choice.Estimate; $500 - 750.A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE SCARCEST PRESIDENTIAL WIDOW FREE FRANKS. Anna Harrison was widowed on April 4, 1841 and was granted free franking privilege September 9th. Although she had the free franking privilege for over 23 years until her death in 1864, it is still one of the scarcest widow free franks. |  | $500 |
| 8 | Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) 7th President of the United States, 1829-1837. Large bold manuscript free frank "Free Andrew Jackson" as President on folded cover to "Henry Toland Esq., Philadelphia", postmarked red "City of Washington May 3" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, docketed "Genl Jackson, May 2nd, Ansd 3rd" on flap, couple small mended tears at top (not affecting frank), otherwise Very Fine.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Prior to his presidency, he gained recognition as a general in the U.S. Army and held roles in both houses of Congress. While he is often celebrated as a champion of the common man and a unifier of the nation, Jackson has also faced significant criticism for his racial policies, particularly in his treatment of Native Americans. |  | $750 |
| 9 | James K. Polk (1775-1849), 11th President 1845-49. Manuscript free frank "Free, J. K. Polk" folded cover addressed in his hand to Major John W. Childress in Murfreesborough, Tenn., postmarked red White Sulr Sprs Jul 18 cds, cover lightly cleaned with some restoration & re-enforcements, Very Fine appearance.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Polk was a Congressman 1825-39 and House Speaker 1835-39, but resigned to become Governor of Tennessee. Nominated by the Democrats against the heavily favored Clay, he won because he favored the annexation of Texas. This, however, led to war with Mexico, after which America acquired much of the Southwest. Polk also acquired Oregon and Washington from England and reduced tariff rates. He declined to run for a second term and died three months after leaving office. |  | $750 |
| 10 | William T. Sherman (1820-1891). Manuscript free frank "W.T. Sherman, General" on 1870 cover addressed Sherman's hand to "Genl. J. Meredith Read, U.S. Consul Genl., Paris France" with "Headquarters Army of the United States, Official Business" imprint at top right, franked with 10¢ Bank Note (small perf. faults) tied by cork cancel with Washington, D.C. postmark alongside, numerous marking including red New York cds & blue French entry marking, Very Fine and rare.Estimate; $500 - 750. William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-65), earning acclaim for his exceptional military strategy while also facing criticism for the severity of his "scorched earth" tactics in waging total war against the Confederate States.Genl. Read was the Adjutant General of New York in 1861 and the first U. S. Consul General for France and Algeria from 1869 to 1873 and from 1870 to 1872. |  | $500 |
| 11 | Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797. Manuscript free frank "Free G. Washington" folded lettersheet addressed in his hand to Mr. Mathew Carey in Philadelphia, postmarked neat "ALEX, AUG 4" straight line, docketed on reverse, "Mount Vernon, July 21, 1788", some edge & file fold splits which have been sensibly re-enforced, a Very Fine free frank.Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.A WONDERFUL GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK FROM ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE UNITED STATES. George Washington (February 22, 1732-December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father of the United States, a politician, military leader, and farmer who served as the nation's first president from 1789 to 1797. In 1775, he was appointed by the Second Continental Congress as the commander of the Continental Army, where he led the Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War. He also presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which produced the current U.S. Constitution. As a result of his pivotal contributions, Washington is often referred to as the "Father of His Country."According to Wikipedia, Mathew Carey (January 28, 1760-September 16, 1839) was an Irish-born American publisher and economist who lived and worked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Dublin, he had engaged in the cause of parliamentary reform, and in America, attracting the wrath of Federalists, retained his democratic sympathies. However, he broke with the emerging Democratic Party and its southern constituency by offering a defense of economic protectionism. |  | $5,000 |
| 12 | Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797. Free frank "President U.S." as President on folded letter fully addresses in Washington's hand to Col. Burgess Ball, Leesburgh, Virginia, postmarked Philadelphia "24 FE" Franklin mark with matching "FREE" handstamp, docketed at right "24 Feb 794", small repair at top and some splits along folds, a Very Fine Presidential Signature.Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.A CHOICE BOLD EXAMPLE GEORGE WASHINGTON'S "PRESIDENT U.S." FREE FRANK. The recipient, Burgess Ball (1749–1800) originally lived in Lancaster County, served in several Virginia regiments during the Revolution, and ended the war as a lieutenant colonel. After the war he lived for a time in Spotsylvania County, moving in 1791 to Loudoun County. Ball was married to Frances Washington (1763–1815), the sister of George Augustine Washington. |  2 | $4,000 |
| 13 | Greenwood, Cal., Aug 30 (El Dorado). Red cds (ELD-1710) tying 1857, 5¢ red brown, type I, vertical pair (positions 13/23R1) with bottom stamp showing defective transfer to the right of portrait, on cover to Chateaugay, N.Y.; light cover soiling and minor edge wear, still Very Fine, a very rare usage of the 1857 5¢ type I defective transfer variety in pair, especially so from California, with 1994 G. Buhler certificate.Scott No. 29; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 14 | Monoville P.O. Cal, July 8, 1861 (Mono). Manuscript cancel (MON-910) on fresh cover to Bodega, Cal., with matching "Paid 3" rating, Extremely Fine, another great California town rarity, with only two known in California period for a total of four or five covers known.Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. Mono county was formed on April 24, 1861 from the counties of Calaveras, Fresno and Mariposa. At this time only Monoville post office was establish and it had previously been in Calaveras but was soon followed by Esmeralda/Aurora. Postmarks during this period are only known from August 27th to November 10th of 1861. |  2 | $2,000 |
| 15 | San Francisco, Cal., Sep 1 (San Francisco). Blue cds (Williams SAF-360) with matching "Paid" and "5" rate handstamps on 1852 Macondray & Co. printed circular giving ship arrival and departure schedule from July 30th to August 30th, to Boston, Mass., Very Fine and choice, with only 4 or 5 examples known of this 5¢ printed matter rate.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.A VERY RARE 5¢ CIRCULAR RATE FROM THE WEST COAST USED ON THE LAST MONTH OF THIS RATE. |  | $1,000 |
| 16 | (Kenson's Owens River Express). On ca. 1863 cover to San Francisco, Cal. with bold sharp strike of Kenson's "San Carlos Dist., Inyo." circular handstamp (KNS-100), entered the mails with "Visalia, Cal., Jul 30" cds and franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) canceled by matching circle of V's; cover missing small portion of backflap, Very Fine, this being one of eight recorded usages from this short-lived express, ex-K. Greenberg.Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. The Kenson's San Carlos Dist. mark was used on the companies southern route though Visalia. All examples of this very rare hand stamp are known dating to the 1863-64 period. |  | $2,000 |
| 17 | Noisy Carrier's Mail., 77 Long Wharf S.F. Cal. Bold ornamental boxed handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Ann Arbor, Mich., uprated with 1851, 1¢ blue, type IV (large margins all around) + 3¢ dull red, horizontal pair (9+11A) tied by neat "San Francisco, Cal., Feb 20" cds's; slight entire edge wear and a few flaws in right 3¢, still Very Fine, ex-Neinken.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Noisy Carriers operated by Charles P. Kimball (1821-1894) acted as a forwarder in San Francisco and sent mails to the east by both the Panama and Nicaragua routes. |  | $750 |
| 18 | Raum's Ruby Hill, Schellburn and Rubyville Express. Printed frank in ornamental frame (RAU-002), conjunctive use with Wells, Fargo & Co. black frank (Haller FR3) on 3¢ Green entire to Deputy Postmaster at San Jose Cal., Very Fine, an extremely rare combination frank with only two examples recorded in Thomas, ex-Jessup & Pearce, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $750 |
| 19 | Southern Overland Mail and Express Co., Barlow & Sanderson Proprietors, Principal Office, Pueblo, Col. Corner card on cover with illustrated design showing Six-Horse Stage on Mountain Road, Stage with "Overland U.S. Mail, B. & S." imprint, bearing 3¢ green (207) tied by quartered cork, matching "Kansas City, Mo. Dec 31" cds at right; cover reduced at right slightly into illustration, otherwise Very Fine and scarce westward use, ex-Risvold.Thomas No. OVM-404; Estimate $500 - 750. Barlow and Sanderson was a dominant express company in southern Colorado and the San Juan Mountain region. It eventually gave way to the advancing railroads. |  | $500 |
| 20 | Tracy & Co. Express, Roseburg. Bold oval handstamp on 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco and forwarded to back to Roseburg, Ore. with large blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., S. Frco., Aug 16" double circle handstamp and black printed frank at top, Extremely Fine and choice, a stunning cover in near perfect condition.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Edward W. Tracy arrived in Portland Ore. on July 8, 1859 as Wells Fargo's General Agent for the Washington and Oregon Territories. He established the Wells Fargo office and as early as July 22nd formed a partnership with E. Norton Jr. and E.L. James to operate his own express service throughout the interior of Oregon. At first this service ran tri-weekly from Portland through the Willamette Valley to Eugene City Ore. It extended overland from this point to Roseburg, Winchester and Oakland Ore. This southern route would eventually connect with Beckman's Express at Jacksonville and Wells Fargo at Portland. A second route would soon follow based out of Portland following the Columbia River to The Dalles, then up river to Walla Walla Wash. From Walla Walla it ran overland to service the mines in the eastern Washington area. When gold was discovered in Idaho Terr., a route from Walla Walla was pushed into Lewiston where the mining activity along the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers were supported. In March 1862, the partial with Norton and James dissolved, and Tracy sold his Portland to Idaho express service to Wells Fargo. |  | $750 |
| Lot | State Postal History & Inland Waterway | Estimate | |
| 21 | Tracy & Co. Express, Walla Walla. Two strikes of blue oval handstamps on incoming cover to Walla Walla, W.T., franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (26), small flaws, tied by "Williamsburg, Pa., Sep 19" cds, carried by Wells, Fargo & Co. with blue "Collect 50cts" oval handstamp and handed over to Tracy & Co. for delivery; cover with light edge wear and slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a rare U.S. mails, Wells, Fargo & Co. & Tracy & Co. combination usage.Estimate; $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 22 | Wells, Fargo & Co., Boise Mines--Paid 50 Cts. Red printed frank on 1860, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, Cal., canceled by grid handstamp with matching "The Dalles, Or., Nov 9" cds and manuscript "Due 6cts" alongside, Very Fine.Estimate; $500 - 750. Carried by Wells, Fargo & Co. from the Boise Mines and enter the U.S. mails at The Dalles post office. |  | $500 |
| 23 | Wells, Fargo & Co., Express, Pioneer City, I.T. Choice strike of blue oval handstamp on reverse of 3¢ pink entire to Boston, Mass., canceled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos Express, S. Frco., Jan 4" cds with second strike below, black company frank a top and red "Boston, Mass., Jan 30" receiving cds; reduced at left, Very Fine, an extremely rare Wells, Fargo & Co. Express handstamp from Pioneer City, I.T.Estimate; $500 - 750. Pioneer City (first called Hog'em) and Idaho City (first called Bannock City or West Bannock) were started in October 1862, after enlarged and well-supplied parties returned from Walla Walla. Reports that some placer claims were yielding as much as $200 per day per man reached Lewiston, Walla Walla, and Portland, leading to a mad rush to Boise Basin, even though the country was remote, trails virtually undeveloped, and roads for wheeled vehicles non-existent. |  2 | $500 |
| 24 | Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.T., Feb. 9. Black oval handstamp on 1861 3¢ pink entire with company frank and separately applied printed Wells, Fargo & Co. surcharge "PAID 25 Cts.", addressed to San Francisco with pencil notation "Moved to Lehman Jewelry Store, What Cheer House", docketed "Feb 11/'64", a couple of minor stains, Very Fine, an exceptional example of the surcharged Wells, Fargo & Co. Frank used from Nevada, ex-Barkhausen.Estimate; $300 - 400. Author James Gammett sums up the questions regarding this type of Wells, Fargo & Co. Surcharged Frank on page 58 of his book, Nevada Express, Wells Fargo & Co. and Other Letter Expresses, 1857 - 1895, where he wrote, "So, were these surcharged envelopes recognized as prepaying the Virginia City pony express fee? Or were they used on a hazardous route from Idaho? Or were they simply printer's surplus waste used as regular envelopes? The census of known covers is probably not complete, but as the search for more information goes on, the true nature of theses covers remains a mystery." . |  | $300 |
| 25 | Wells, Fargo & Co., 1862 25¢ red, Pony Express Entire. On unused 1860, 3¢ pink entire (U34) with "Gould & Curry, Silver Mining Co." shaded ad in olive; couple small toned spots, F.-V.F.Scott No. 143LU3; $950. |  | $950 |
| 26 | Wells, Fargo & Co., Express, Aurora. Blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1860, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco and tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue, right margin single with full margins, black company frank at top; stamp with corner crease in margin and cover with some allover toning, F.-V.F. appearance, from the famous Crittenden correspondence, with 1986 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 143L8; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.8MB). |  | $1,000 |
| 27 | Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.T., Oct 19. Blue oval handstamps cancelling on 1860, 3¢ pink entire (U35) and tying Wells, Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 10¢ brown margins large to just barely shaving frameline at left, with printed Wells Fargo frank and preprinted address to Sol. Wangenheim, San Francisco; cover with couple light scuffs and couple filing pinholes at top, still Very Fine, with 1991 P.S.E. certificate.Scott No. 143L7; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WITH THE 10¢ BROWN VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS STAMP. Solomon Wangenheim was an immigrant from Saxony, Germany, who was naturalized on April 30, 1855. He is listed as a merchant at 211 Powell in San Francisco as of July 25, 1866.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.5MB). |  | $2,000 |
| 28 | (Alma, Colo., 3/1, 1888) The Pacific Express Company. Money package receipt for letter on papers valued at $50 to New York to Hon. D.M. Kelly from J. Fortune, Very Fine.Estimate; $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 29 | Auraria, K.T., Aug 2, 1859. Clearly struck two line handstamp postmark on cover with manuscript "Paid" at top right to Rhode Island, interesting original contents datelined "Auraria Kansas Territory, Foot of the Rocky Mountains" with letter written by Joseph Whiting and in part…"I wrote you a long letter eleven days ago and is on way to you…I can think of better way to fill up this sheet then by giving you an insight into my style of life. So begins living in a log cabin on the out skirts of Auraria is so situated on the road to the Mountains and from the door I can see the greater portion of the Rocky Mountain Range. Sixty or seventy miles to the South West, looming up above the other portions of the range not withstanding the distance stands Pikes Peak…I can see the road that leads to Jackson's Diggings winding over a tall mountain - and yet it is 15 miles away still keeping your eye on the mountain you plainly see to the north west Long Peak… Col. Thom H. Tenton -- speaking of the exploration of his son-in-law John C. Fremont -- says, and places considerable stress on the fact in one of his expedition's he was not out of sight of snow for eight months…I shoulder a transit rods and staff and walk to the end of the paper lots of Auraria where during the rest of the day I work at driving stakes for naming angles and streets" (surveying the Auraria Townsite); both the cover and contents are water stained and otherwise damaged, but quite readable and historically significant, Fine appearance.Estimate; $300 - 400. Contract mail service to Auraria was begun on July 11, 1859 and was carried by the United States Express Company until they failed after their 26 August 1859 trip.Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (8.4MB). |  | $300 |
| 30 | Auraria, K.T., Aug 19, 1859. Two line handstamp postmark on cover from D.L. Clemens to cousin in West Alexander, Pa., manuscript "Paid 3" rating, with original enclosure datelined "Russell Diggings, July 25, 1859" with interesting content regarding trip into the area…"From that day until the 25 May was very beautiful weather and we left the waters of the Arkansas to cross the divide on the waters of Platte River…About noon the wind commenced blowing form the West and in a short time shifted to the N.W. and rain began to fall But soon changed to snow at this I became alarmed…About 11 o'clock that night a young man came into our camp almost froze and reported that his companion was about three miles back on th plains…next morning three young men from Ohio and myself took a pack animal and started to search for him -- he was dead…on the 27 we arrived on the head of Cherry Creek (here I saw the first indications of a gold region except float indications) which is about 100 miles South East of here and on the 29th we arrived in the famed City of Denver.", mentions going to the mountain for prospecting, direct letters to Denver City, K.T.; some cover wear and some discoloration spots, F.-V.F.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (6.6MB). |  | $1,000 |
| 31 | Breckenridge P.O., Utah Terr. (After it Became Part of Colorado Territory). 1861 cover from Granville, Ohio address to "Breckenridge P.O., American Gulch, Rocky Mts., Utah Terr.", franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (gutter straight line at right) tied by grid handstamp, matching "Granville, O., Mar 13" cds alongside, Very Fine.Scott No. 26; Estimate $200 - 300. Apparently, the knowledge of the creation of Colorado Territory was not yet widespread. |  | $200 |
| 32 | Denver City, K.T., Aug 29, 1860. Clear strike of sans-serif tombstone postmark (first type) on incoming cover addressed to "Denver City, Pikes Peak", franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (26) tied by "Stillwater, Min., Aug 9, 1860" cds, carried on the third westbound trip by the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express; cover with a few trivial spots, otherwise Very Fine, a rare and unusual usage of the Denver City tombstone date stamp used as a receiving postmark, the sans-serif tombstone postmark was in use for only two weeks in August of 1860.Estimate; $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 33 | (Denver City, Jefferson Territory). Address on cover with "Sidney, Ioa., Oct 1" origin cds, franked with manuscript canceled 1857, 3¢ dull red, manuscript "pr U.S. mail" and "Via St. Joseph, Mo." endorsements, with original 1860 enclosure, Very Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein & Kramer.Scott No. 26; Estimate $400 - 600. The resident of the goldfields, unhappy with the great distance to the Kansas Territorial Government, created their own Territorial government which became Jefferson Territory. The federal government did not recognize this action. A few items addressed to Jefferson Territory exist, but there are no postal markings with that designation.Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.2MB). |  | $400 |
| 34 | Denver City K.T., Nov 12 1860. Clear strike of serifed "Tombstone" postmark (Jarrett 65) on fresh cover to Maine, with matching straight line "Paid" handstamp; cover reduced at right, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive example of the scarce Denver City Tombstone postmark, ex-Rogers.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 35 | Denver City, Kas., Apr 15, 1861. Clear cds with matching "Paid" in oval handstamp on fresh cover to Trenton, N.J., year docketing at left, Very Fine and choice, one of two known examples of this rare postmark in conjunction with the "Paid" in oval handstamp.Estimate; $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 36 | Ft. Garland, New Mexico, via Santa Fe (before it became part of Colorado Territory). Neat November 1860 cover from South Carolina addressed to Lieut. Ben F. Stone, via Santa Fe, Ft. Garland, New Mexico, franked with 1857 3¢ dull red (corner crease) carried via Santa Fe route, reduced at left, Very Fine.Scott No. 26; Estimate $200 - 300. Fort Garland was the former Fort Massachusetts, renamed and relocated six miles south. There were no United States post offices in that part of New Mexico which became part of Colorado Territory. |  | $200 |
| 37 | Fort Garland. "Denver City, Kan, Apr 8, 1861" double circle postmark and 1857, 3¢ dull red, two singles with grid cancels on cover to Bristol, R.I., "Charles H. Alden, Fort Garland, March 25th 1861" docket at left so evidently carried by military courier from Fort Garland to Denver City a year before the Fort Garland Post Office was established, Extremely Fine, a late use of this postmark type after Colorado Territory was created.Scott No. 26; Estimate $300 - 400. Fort Garland was 200 miles south of Denver City. The sender of this cover, Captain Charles Alden, was an army surgeon. |  | $300 |
| 38 | Nevada City, C.T., My 18. Manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 3" rate on cover to Cowlesville, N.Y.; cover edge wear and a bit reduced at right, F.-V.F., believed to be an 1861 usage and the earliest recorded postmark from Nevada City, ex-D. New & Persson.Estimate; $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 39 | (Florida) Welaka, E.F., May 7. Two strikes of fancy two-line script postmark on cover to Darlington, S.C., one tying 1857, 3¢ dull red (26) with other at top center; stamp with perf flaws and date docketing at left removed as certificate states is not contemporary, otherwise Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate.Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.QUITE POSSIBLY THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS FANCY SCRIPT STRAIGHT LINE POSTMARK FROM WELAKA, EAST FLORIDA. |  | $1,500 |
| 40 | (Indiana) Mechanicsburg, Ind., Jan 25. Neat bold strike of blue fancy Eagle, Shield & Stars oval postmark with manuscript date, on cover to Cincinnati, O., franked with manuscript canceled 1857, 3¢ dull red, right frame line double; small sealed cover tear at bottom, Extremely Fine.Scott No. 26; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A MAGNIFICENT STRIKE OF THE FANCY MECHANICSBURG, INDIANA EAGLE IN OVAL POSTMARK. |  | $1,000 |
| Lot | 1846-1848 Trans-Continental & Mexican-American War Covers | Estimate | |
| 41 | (Iowa) Chickasaw, Iowa. Clear full strike of fancy Birds at Fountain oval postmark with "May 7" date alongside on manuscript canceled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Dix, N.Y., Extremely Fine and choice.Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE THIS FANCY CHICKASAW, IOWA BIRDS & FOUNTAIN MORTISE TOWNMARK. |  | $2,000 |
| 42 | (Kentucky) Cloverport, Ky., Jan 3. Bold fancy negative circular townmark with manuscript date on ca. 1854 folded letter sheet to Frederick Hull, Va. with "Via Washington City" endorsement, franked with clear to large margin 1851, 3¢ dull red (11A), manuscript canceled, Very Fine and choice.Estimate; $750 - 1,000.A WONDERFUL STRIKE OF THIS FANCY NEGATIVE POSTMARK FROM CLOVERPORT, KENTUCKY. |  | $750 |
| 43 | (Missouri) Ft. Osage, Mo., July 18. Manuscript postmark on folded letter to Governor Frank Bates in St. Louis, Mo. and forwarded to St. Charles, with manuscript "18¾" rating and "ford 6" added totaling "24¾", with letter datelined "Fort Osage, July 17, 1825" from Lieut. Gov. B.H. Reeves regarding his resignation…"About the first of this month I dropped you a short note purporting to be my resignation to the office of Lt. Governor…My appointment as commissioner of the Mexican Road is believed by many of my friends in compatible with this office, which I held under the authority of this State…To put the matter to rest, I believe it my duty to resign."; trivial cover edge nick at top right, Very Fine, ex-Risvold.Estimate; $500 - 750. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (4.8MB). |  | $500 |
| 44 | (Missouri) Santa Fe Trail Trade Report. 1825 printed 12 page report entitled "Answers of Augustus Storrs, of Missouri, to Certain Queries Upon the Origin, Present State, and Future Prospect, of Trade and Intercourse, Between Missouri and the Internal Provinces of Mexico, Propounded by the Hon. Mr. Benton" (18th Congress, 2d Session), with interesting information regarding the trail from Fort Osage in Missouri to Taos, N.M. and beyond to the Rock Mountains, Very Fine.Estimate; $500 - 750. Thomas Hart Benton (March 14, 1782 - April 10, 1858), nicknamed "Old Bullion", was an American politician, attorney, soldier, and longtime United States Senator from Missouri. A member of the Democratic Party, he was an architect and champion of westward expansion by the United States, a cause that became known as Manifest Destiny. Benton served in the Senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve five terms. |  | $500 |
| 45 | (New Jersey) Newark, N.J., Feb 14. Light red Valentine's Day cds and manuscript "2" rating on locally addressed oversized white glazed enamel Valentine cover with gold and blue floral border design, embossed Ackeman & Co. maker's imprint on backflap, with pierced lace bordered Valentine enclosure with multicolored embellishments (missing one in corner) and central honeycomb pull up revealing lady & gentlemen couple, with Mansell maker's imprint and hand written 4 verse poem inside; some usual enamel wear at edges, Very Fine, a spectacular cover, with 1996 P.F. certificate.Estimate; $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 46 | (New Mexico) Fort Union N.M., Sept 3rd, 1852. Manuscript New Mexico Territory military postmark with matching pen strokes tying 1851, 3¢ dull red (11A), rich color, on blue folded letter to St. Louis, Mo., with original lengthy four-page letter from Gov. William Carr Lane that mentions using chloroform and ether for illness, traveling 100 miles to Santa Fe with Major Carleton with stations all the way, etc., Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Meroni.Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.AN EXTREMELY RARE EARLY FORT UNION N.M. TERRITORY MILITARY POSTMARK USAGE. The sender, William Carr Lane, was a doctor by profession and elected the first Mayor of St. Louis. He served from 1823 to 1829 and elected again in 1837 to 1840. In 1852, President Fillmore appointed him also the Governor of Territory of New Mexico where he severed a two year term from 1852 to 1853.Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (7.9MB). |  | $3,000 |
| 47 | (New Mexico) Las Vegas, June 2nd, 1850 (Unorganized Territory). Manuscript docketing on folded letter sheet to Annapolis, Md., entering the mails with "Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Aug" cds and matching "10" rate handstamp, additional "Received Sept 2nd, 1850" docketing over ratemarker; some cover toning, Very Fine, a very rare usage from Las Vegas, New Mexico prior to the establishment of the post office on November 11, 1850.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 48 | (New Mexico) San Fernando De Taos, August 29th, 1853. Type 1 manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 5" rating on cover to Francis Preston Blair (member of Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet" and father of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair) in Silver Springs, Washington City, D.C., with original enclosure datelined "Taos, New Mexico, July 9th, 1853" written by Elisha Riggs Sr. on troubles of the E.F. Beale survey journey to the Pacific, with interesting content in part…I have concluded a long letter to Mary recounting the difficulties and dangers that our party encounter on the way Rio Grande when distant not more then twenty days journey from San Francisco - difficulties that to men equipped as we were proved insurmountable and dangers that threatened the entire party…you will perceive that we did all in the power of men to proceed on our going and to yield to the elements when we had lost the majority of our arms and ammunition & clothing. Beal's persistence amounted in my opinion to obstinacy and temerity he was did to leave no effort throughout the apprehension he entertains endangering his commission from the delay in his journey caused these misfortunes. When I parted with him at his camp on the Rio Quartos in the midst of the Utah country he was laboring under great depression of spirits from this apprehension and his other troubles and I promised him I would write to you soliciting your kind services in his behalf. That if necessary you might inform the President of the true causes of the delay in his arrival in Cal'.; small erosion spots in docketing, Very Fine, ex-Longfellow & Erivan, with 2023 P.F. certificate.Estimate; $15,000 - 20,000.THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MANUSCRIPT SAN FERNANDO DE TAOS POSTMARK AND UNIQUE OF THIS TYPE. Letter written by Elisha Riggs, a member of the Beale survey journey from Missouri to the Pacific. Francis P. Blair served under President Andrew Jackson and later under President Buchanan. |  | $15,000 |
| 49 | (Ohio) Kelley's Island (O.), Printed Shaded Map Town Postmark. With "Feby 11th" manuscript date, showing island fully shaded, intact frameline all around and "Brainard Clev" imprint at bottom, on buff ca. 1853 cover to East Rockport, Ohio, franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red and manuscript canceled; small cover restoration at top right and partial backflap, otherwise Very Fine, the discovery example of this first type shaded map cancellation - a great classic fancy printed illustrated cancellation rarity.Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.THE UNIQUE EARLY FIRST TYPE FULL SHADED ISLAND MAP CANCELLATION OF KELLEY'S ISLAND, OHIO. Kelley's Island, O. is a small island in Lake Erie north of Marblehead and near Sandusky, not far from Cleveland. Members of a family named Kelley owned the island from the 1840's. Early on, mail was transported by sailboat and than later by steamboats to Sandusky. The fist post office on the island was established around May of 1852 with George Kelley appointed the first postmaster on the 13th of that month. At that time, the population of the island was around 500 residents.It is not known who devised the pre-printed map postmark or where the envelopes were actually printed, however the earlier type postmarks, said to date from 1853 to 1860, show the engraver's "Brainard Clev" imprint at bottom left. Cleveland city directories list an engraver J. Brainard from 1850-66 an since he was an engraver, it is believed the cancel was engraved on copper rather than being a woodcut.Three types of the postmark are known: This first type showing heavy shading within the outline of the island and lacking the typeset "O" for Ohio below town name. This was altered to the second type, likely very early on, to achieved greater visibility of the town name with the "O" added at this time. The third type, mostly likely cause due wear and/or edge truncation of the plate, lacks the outer frame line and engraver's imprint. It is interesting to note that after retiring of this device, a member of the Kelley family used a similar map design as a corner card as grape grower's in the 1860's. |  | $4,000 |
| 50 | (Ohio) Kelley's Island, O., Printed Map Town Postmark. Second type postmark showing outer frameline, engraver's imprint and added typeset "O" below town name, with manuscript "Sept 4" date and added map feature entitled "Island House" on the southern most portion of the map, on cover to St. Louis, Mo. franked with 1852, 3¢ brownish carmine (11) cancel with manuscript "4" for the postmark day; some light cover soiling, Very Fine, ex-Knapp & Eubanks, with 2018 P.F. certificate (noting stamp in dull red shade).Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE FANCY ILLUSTRATED KELLEY'S ISLAND, O. PRINTED MAP TOWN POSTMARK - CONSIDERED TO BE THE FANCIEST PRINTED POSTMARK USED DURING THE UNITED STATES CLASSIC PERIOD. Only nine examples of the Kelley's Island map postmark are recorded: The unique first type shaded postmark which is featured here in our Gem Sale prior to this lot, four examples of the second type postmark with outer frame, and four examples of the third type postmark without outer frameline. Only two of the nine covers bear confirming dates of use (1859 & 1860 from the later third type postmark usages). From this, it has been surmised that the period of use was between 1853 and 1861. |  | $2,000 |
