(San Francisco 1906 Earthquake) "San Francisco, Cal., Apr. 18, 5AM, 1906", machine cancel ties 1902 2¢ shield on small cover to New York City; cover with contemporary note on reverse, "This letter was in the last mail that left San Francisco before the great disaster of April 18th 1906, being stamped ten minutes before the Earthquake", Fine and rare. Scott No. 319  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

(San Francisco 1906 Earthquake) "San Francisco, Cal., Apr. 23, 1906", year inverted, clear strike of duplex handstamp on cover with purple "San Francisco" script handstamp to E.H. Knowles M.D. in North Stonington Conn., small opening tears, Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. On April 18, 1906, a major earthquake devastated San Francisco. Almost 30,000 buildings were destroyed, 700 persons died and 30,000 were made homeless. The fire that followed the earthquake destroyed the post office's supply of stamps. The Post Office Department permitted residents to send letters free of postage for a time after the disaster. This letter was mailed free of postage on April 23, five days after the initial quake. The faint pencil notation across its face indicates this report was circulated among the sender's family in the East. $0 (Image)

(San Francisco 1906 Earthquake) "San Francisco, Cal., Apr. 23, 11-AM, 1906", machine cancel on cover addressed in pencil to New Britain Conn.; some minor flaws, F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. The fires burned from April 18 until the last of them was brought under control on April 21. This cover was mailed two days later, on April 23, 1906. People watching the fires from the city hilltops frequently had their pictures taken showing the devastation in the background. These well dressed young women couldn't resist the habit of smiling at the camera. $0 (Image)

(San Francisco 1906 Earthquake) "San Francisco, Cal., Apr. 28, 2-PM, 1906", machine cancel on cover with manuscript "S.F." frank to Monterey Cal., purple "DUE 2 cts." straightline handstamp with pencil "2" and 2¢ postage due tied by partial barred oval cancel, Very Fine. Estimate  $150 - 200. By April 28, just 10 after the quake, the privilege of sending mail free had apparently been withdrawn. The writer of this letter attempted to do so by failing to affix a stamp and endorsing the cover "S.F." However, it was marked due two cents. $0 (Image)