Bents Ft., C.T., April 30, ca. 1865 manuscript postmark on "Paymaster Office, Denver, C.T." corner card cover with "Denver C.T." crossed out, addressed to Denver C.T., franked with manuscript canceled 1861, 3¢ rose (s.e. at left) applied over "Official Business" imprint; cover reduced at right, Very Fine, a rare manuscript postmark from Bents Fort with only a few known, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book. Estimate  $400 - 600. The first gold seekers to reach the junction of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River came by the Santa Fe Trail to Bent's Fort, up the Arkansas River Valley, then north over the divide to Cherry Creek. Although the trading post of Bent's Fort was established in 1834, it was nearly thirty years before it obtained official postal service. $0 (Image)