Breckinridge C.T., 16th May 1861. Manuscript postmark and matching cross-hatch cancels 1857 3¢ dull red (26) on cover to Pecatonica Iowa, original long letter datelined "French Gulch Utah Territory May 12, 1861" from Albert Pillsbury writing to a friend who writes, Direct your letters to Breckinridge Utah Territory,… Excuse all imperfections dirty paper etc considering it comes from the mountains., transcript accompanies; cover reduced slightly at right & professional restoration at lower left, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THIS BRECKINRIDGE MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK, THE EARLIEST RECORDED WITH THE "BRECKINRIDGE" SPELLING.

Named for Vice President and presidential candidate John C. Breckinridge, the town later changed its spelling to Breckenridge after its namesake's support of the Confederacy in 1861.

The famous French Gulch area, is where gold was discovered by a miner named French Pete in 1860. This valley was abundantly rich in gold, silver, lead and zinc and played a meaningful role in the gold rush of Breckenridge. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Denver City, C.T., Dec 17. Cds tying 1861, 3¢ rose (65) on cover to Mauston, Wis., with red and blue Colorado Republican Newspaper Corner Card & Waving Flag Patriotic design, original enclosure datelined "Denver Col. Ter., Nov 30th, 1861" with interesting content…"There has been no fighting in this Territory with the exception of a company of Secish (Confederates) who were on their way to the States to join Secession forces - they came across a government supply train and undertook to capture it (but) the train was well guarded…and they were captured…The editors of the two papers have for a long time been eating one another through their papers…the News getting the worst of the game.", Very Fine and attractive, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A RARE PATRIOTIC ADVERTISING COVER FROM THIS SHORT LIVED NEWSPAPER WHICH MERGED WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HERALD. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Denver City, C.T., Nov 19. Three strikes of blue cds in blue tying 1861, 1¢ blue, dot in "U", plate. 9, top margin pair and single (63 var.), on circa 1861 orange buff cover to Binghampton N.Y.; couple minor flaws, Very Fine, an attractive Colorado Territorial usage, ex-Lehman, Haas, Lee & Pacetti.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This was the first Denver postmark used with the Colorado Territory designation. According to Jarrett, the last reported use of this device was December 31, 1861. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Fort Collins, Sep 9th/65. Manuscript postmark tying 1861, 3¢ rose (s.e. at left) on cover to New York, with "Official Business, U.S.A. Medical Department" corner card imprint; barest cover reduction at left, Very Fine and choice, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book.
Scott No. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS EARLY MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK, MAILED DURING THE OFFICE'S THIRD MONTH OF OPERATION.

Originally an encampment for Mormon emigrants., Fort Collins was established in the fall of 1863 to protect the Overland Stage Route from Indian activity. By 1867 the need no longer existed, but the town grew as a stage station on the Overland Route and as an agricultural community. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Fort Garland, C.T., Feb 10. Well struck first type cds in blue on fresh cover to Harrisburg City, Pa., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by matching target handstamp, with original 1868 enclosure regarding the recovering of discharge papers; most of backflap missing, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Jarrett.
Scott No. 65; Estimate $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Fort Garland, Nov. 3. Manuscript postmark and matching "X" tying 1861 3¢ rose (65) on cover to New Middleton Ill., 1862 pencil docketing on reverse, Very Fine and scarce, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book, ex-Perrson.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This fort in Costilla County was named for Brigadier General John Garland. It was here that Colorado troops were trained for Civil War service. Later it was headquarters for operations against hostile Indians. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Fort Lupton, C.T., Apri1 23, 1867. Manuscript territorial postmark on cover to Grand Rapids, Mich., franked with manuscript canceled 1861 3¢ rose; couple minor edge tears, Very Fine, one of only a few known postmarks from Fort Lupton, ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This early fur trading post was established in 1836 on the south side of the South Platte River. It was revived as a stage stop on the road to Denver and obtained a post office in January 1861 while still part of Nebraska Territory. It became part of Colorado Territory the next month. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Fort Sedgwick, Col., Apr. 19. Cds on 1867 cover to Darby Creek, O., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by matching target handstamp, with original enclosure regarding recent receiving of letter…It was greatly behind time on account of a few difficulties first. The R.R. had been washed away which hindered it from coming through. and mentions Indians…Everyone has Indian on the brain., Very Fine and scarce.
Scott No. 65; Estimate $300 - 400.

Fort Sedgwick was established to protect the inhabitants of old Julesburgh against Indian raids. A hardship post, many of its buildings were nothing more than sod huts. The Fort Sedgwick Post Office operated from 1866 to 1869 only. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Parkville, C.T., Sep 4. Manuscript postmark on cover to Messopotamia, O., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (small defect) tied by matching manuscript "X" cancel; cover slightly reduced at left, Very Fine.
Scott No. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS WITH THE PARKVILLE POSTMARK.

Parkville was a gold mining camp high in the Rockies, in Summit County, not far from Breckenridge on the south fork of the Swan River. It lasted only a few short years and eventually buried by tailings of the mine. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Spanish Bar. Two territorial period postmarks; first a neat manuscript "Spanish Bar C.T., Dec 23rd 64" postmark on cover to Lawrence, Ill., franked with manuscript canceled 1861, 3¢ rose (65), other with excellent strike "Spanish Bar, Col., Dec 6" cds on cover to Philadelphia, with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by target cancel, former slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The first gold that was panned in the Idaho area was at Spanish Bar. The town was named for the many Mexican prospectors who work the various streams and creeks. The Post Office opened in December 1860 while still part of Kansas Territory. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Sunshine, Colo., Apl 26/71. Manuscript postmark (year date most likely 1875) on Parson, Kansas merchant corner card cover to Dubuque, Iowa, franked with manuscript canceled 1873, 3¢ Banknote (small flaws), Very Fine, an extremely rare early unlisted manuscript postmark from Sunshine, ex-Newburn.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Sunshine, located eight miles west of Boulder, was a major gold producing area in the 1870's. Pilot Mine was the largest producers yielding rich high grade gold and tellurium ore. the Post Office opened February 26, 1875. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Sunshine, Colorado., 10-18-75. Fancy arched postmark in violet on cover to Marlborough, N.H., franked with manuscript canceled 1873, 3¢ green; couple small cover tears at right, still Very Fine, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNIQUE SUNSHINE, COLORADO FANCY ARCHED TERRITORIAL POSTMARK. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(Unorganized Missouri Territory) Fort Scott Mo., March 30. Manuscript postmark tying 1851, 3¢ dull red (11A), pre-use tear, on blue 1853 folded letter to New York City, the letter is from a sergeant at the fort and he is asking that newspapers be sent to him there, he is obviously unaware that the garrison will be moved within a month; fold mends, Fine, ex-Alexander & Beals.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED USES FROM FORT SCOTT DURING THE UNORGANIZED TERRITORY TIME PERIOD, THIS BEING THE ONLY STAMPED USAGE.

Fort Scott was established on May 30, 1842, and built along the Military Road four miles west of the Missouri state line in what is now Kansas. This was considered the Permanent Indian Frontier at the time. It served as an intermediate post on the military road that connected the frontier forts from Fort Snelling in the North to Fort Jessup (Louisiana) in the South. The main duty was enforcing peace between the Osage Indians and settlers on their way west. The post was abandoned on April 22, 1853, but was re-occupied by troops during the Civil War in March 1862.

As was the case with Fort Leavenworth that was also in unorganized territory west of the Missouri state line, Fort Scott used a town mark (manuscript) incorporating the term "Mo." The Post Office Department attached these forts to Missouri on their records for administrative purposes. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

(South Carolina) Yorkville S.C. Two covers comprising first with sharp black "Yorkville S.C., Mar 11" cds and matching intense negative "5" rating handstamp on gray folded cover to Columbia S.C.; second with sharp red "Yorkville S.C. Mar 10" cds and matching intense negative "10" rating handstamp along with black "Paid" on 1847 folded letter to New York City; some edge wear, Very Fine pair.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

AN EXTRAORDINARY EXHIBIT PAIR OF FANCY YORKVILLE S.C. STAMPLESS COVERS. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000