American Flag, Ariz. Jul 4. Clear strike of cds duplexed with cork cancelling 2¢ green (213) on cover to Florence, Arizona Terr.; edge flaws and soiling, F.-V.F. and scarce town.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Apache Pass A.T., Oct 1, 1880. Purple cds with matching light target cancels 3¢ green (158) on yellow cover to South Orrington Me., original enclosed letter datelined "Fort Bowie A.T. Oct 8th 1880" with some interesting content reading in part "We left this post on the 19th of last month with seven companys of the 6th under the command of Gen. Carr and scouted in the vicinity…We did not see a single hostile Indian. The command was broken up and all the companys have returned to their proper stations except our company. I don't know what we are left here unless it is to escort President Hayes and his party through to the end of the Railroad…", Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

President Rutherford B. Hayes was the first sitting President tour the Western States in September 1880. General Sherman made the travel arrangements for the presidential party. The plan was for the president to travel by train from Chicago across the western states to San Francisco and Sacramento, and then northward until the end of the railroad line in Northern California. After that the party traveled by stage coach through Oregon to Portland and all the way to Seattle before turning back east in October.

Eugene Asa Carr (1830-1910) was a soldier in the United States Army and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Pea Ridge. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Arizona) Agency Papago Indians, Official Business. Black on green label on folio sent privately by Papago Indian agent Dr. Rueben A. Wilbur (1871-74) between Tucson and Sells, endorsed "Retained Papers, 1875", F.-V.F., One of Three Official Private mail envelopes known, Dr. Wilbur created these special labels modeled after the Wells Fargo Express labels.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Arizona City, Ariz. Jan 22. Sharp blue cds (Meyer type 1) duplexed with four-ring target cancel on 3¢ pink (U58) entire to San Francisco Cal., flap with T. Green, San Francisco, Feb 1, 1870" double-oval receiver, docketed "David Neahr, Fort Yuma, Jan 21" on reverse, Very Fine and choice, The earliest recorded use from Arizona City.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Las Cruces N.M. March 26/ 64". Printed corner card on cover from William F. Turner, Chief Justice of Arizona Territorial Supreme Court at Camp Clark to his wife in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, carried by Military Express from Camp Clark to Tucson with "Las Cruces N.M. March 26/ 64" manuscript postmark and matching "X" ties 3¢ rose (65), "April 25th" receipt docketing; stamp with a few small scrapes, a Very Fine use, ex-Birkinbine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE EARLIEST REPORTED COVER FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ARIZONA TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT ON DECEMBER 29, 1863.

William F. Turner was the first Chief Justice of the Territory of Arizona, The cover was carried by first by Military Mail to Tucson, then by Vedette Mail to Las Cruces, New Mexico Territory and finally placed in the U.S. Mails for transmission to Mt. Lebanon, Ohio.

Camp Clark was the original name for Fort Whipple when it was first located at Del Rio Springs near Chino Valley. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Camp Grant / Fort Grant. Two covers comprising purple "Camp Grant, Arizona, Aug 6 1879" cds and matching star in circle fancy cancel ties 3¢ green (184) on cover to Washington D.C.; second purple "Fort Grant * Arizona * Feb 20, 1880" cds duplexed with star in circle fancy cancel ties 3¢ green (184) on cover to Camp Thomas, Ariz. Terr.; each reduced slightly at left, Very Fine pair, both ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Camp Thomas, A.T. Two type 1 covers from the DeLand correspondence to Washington D.C. comprising perfect purple Feb. 18, 1879 duplex with star cancel on 3¢ green (184) and black Nov. 19th 1879 duplex with star cancels on two 3¢ green (184) singles; each with Washington D.C. "Carrier" cds and reduced slightly, Very Fine pair, both ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Camp Verde AT., Dec 21. 71.". Manuscript postmark (Meyer type 1) with matching pen strokes cancelling 3¢ green (147) on cover to Ware, Mass.; internal cover crease, Very Fine and rare, Rarity 7, One of only Two Recorded Examples.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Clifton A.T., Oct. 11/75". Manuscript postmark with matching "X" cancels 3¢ green (158) on cover to Auburn, Me.; light staining at left, Very Fine, The earliest of only 3 Recorded Manuscript Postmarks, and earliest recorded use from Clifton..
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Clifton A.T., May 29/76". Manuscript postmark with pen strokes tie 1¢ Ultramarine (145) and 2¢ red brown (146) on 1876 cover to Lewiston Me.; 2¢ faulty, otherwise Very Fine and scarce Arizona Territory use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Fort McDowell A.T., May 27th 1866". Dateline on blue enclosed letter from 1st Lieut. and Post Adjutant William A. Hancock, 1st Regiment, Arizona Volunteers, carried by military express to Maricopa Wells, orange cover entered mails to Santa Clara Cal. with manuscript "Maricopa Wells AT, May 30 1866" postmark and matching pen strokes cancelling 3¢ rose (65), faint stain (possibly re-used stamp), sent by mail stage to Santa Clara; letter has some splits, right edge of cover expertly restored, Very Fine appearance, ex-Birkinbine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED POSTMARKED USE FROM MARICOPA WELLS, ARIZONA TERRITORY. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Fort Thomas, A.T. Group of all three different postmarks on 3¢ green (207) covers comprising purple 1879 type 1 with star cancel to Washington D.C., 1880 type 2 double-circle to Washington D.C., and 1881 type 3 to South Barrington Me.; few flaws, F.-V.F. trio.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Fort Thomas, Ariz. Dateless circular postmark (Meyer type 2) with backwards "Z" ties 2¢ red brown (210) on 1887 cover to Springboro Pa., endorsed "James B. Hughes, 2nd Lt 10' Cav., Ft Thomas Ariz." at left; reduced at right, F.-V.F., ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

"Ft. Whipple, Arizona, Apr. 26, 1864. / By Military Express.}". Straightline datestamp on "Territory of Arizona, Governor's Office" corner card cover to Judge William F. Turner at Santa Fe (incorrectly called "California Terr"), carried by Military Express to Tucson, Vedette Mail to Las Cruces, entered mails at Las Cruces with manuscript "Las Cruces N.M. May 14/ 64" postmark and matching "X" cancel on 3¢ rose (65), mail stage to Santa Fe, forwarded from Santa Fe to Mt. Lebanon with "Santa Fe N.M. May 21" cds, manuscript "For" and "3" handstamp for postage due (restated "Due 3" in manuscript); stamp with couple small perf faults and tiny toned speck, cover slightly reduced at right and professionally improved, Very Fine appearance, ex-Longfellow, Birkinbine.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED BLACK STRIKE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE FORT WHIPPLE TWO-LINE MILITARY EXPRESS DATESTAMP.

One other example of this Fort Whipple Military Express datestamp is reported, incompletely struck in red on a legal-size cover. This example in black is clearly struck and on a more attractive cover. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Jerome, Arizona, Dec 1, 1883. Duplex with fancy circular cancel on 2¢ red entire to Phoenix, blue Dec. 3rd arrival backstamp; minor tone spot, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

La Paz AT, 13/4 66 (Yuma). Manuscript postmark (Meyer 1, rarity 7) and matching pen strokes cancel 3¢ rose (65) on 1866 cover to Cincinnati Oh., Very Fine and choice early use from La Paz, ex-Longfellow.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Maricopa Wells, A.T. (Arizona). Blue cds (type 2, rarity 6) with matching blue cancel tying 3¢ ultramarine (114) on small cover to New York N.Y.; some cover restoration, Very Fine appearance, a scarce 1869 issue Arizona territorial use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Mesilla Jany 25". Manuscript postmark applied by Postmaster Francis De Ryther and matching pen "X" cancels on 3¢ rose (65) strip of three and single, faulty, on orange circa 1863 cover to Capt. W. L. Parvin, Co. F, 1st Infantry, California Volunteers, San Francisco Cal., pencil "Resigned" (Capt. Parvin resigned at Mesilla on Nov. 26, 1862), reverse with "San Francisco, Cal. Advertised Mar. 11" cds; cover reduced at right, Fine and important cover postmarked at Mesilla after Union Occupation of Arizona, ex-Birkinbine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST U.S. POST OFFICE CONTRACT MAIL FROM ARIZONA AFTER UNION OCCUPATION. ONE OF TWO KNOW CARRIED ON THE FIRST CONTRACT MAIL ROUTE IN THE MILITARY DISTRICT OF ARIZONA.

This cover was carried on U.S. Post Office Route 14465 from Mesilla to Kansas City via Santa Fe (contract effective January 1, 1863) by stage operated by Cottrill, Vickroy & Co.'s Santa Fe and Colorado Stage Co. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

"Mohave City AT, May 24". Manuscript postmark with matching "X" cancel on 3¢ ultramarine (114) on circa 1869 cover to Henrietta N.Y., Very Fine and scarce 1869 Arizona Territorial use.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Mohave City, Arizona Territory was founded to service Fort Mohave. The fort was established to protect northern Arizona gold and silver mines, as well as the nearby Colorado River crossing, from Indian attacks. Only 10 recorded manuscript postmarks are known before the use of the first handstamp. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Mohave City AT Aug 7 1869". Manuscript postmark and matching ms. squiggle on 3¢ ultramarine (114) on small cover to Chester Pa.; slightly reduced at right, Very Fine and scarce 1869 Pictorial Issue use from this Arizona Territory town, ex-Sampson, Chase, Juhring, Birkinbine.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Mount Hope. A.T. 1-24.". Manuscript postmark with matching ms. cross-hatch cancels 3¢ green (147) horizontal pair on 1873 cover to Croydon, England, reverse with Croydon (2.20.73) arrival cds; top left opening tear top left, minor perf toning and tear at top left, still Very Fine and rare Arizona Territorial use, Yavapai County DPO 1876-79, Rarity IX.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Pioneer, Ariz. Aug 6, 1884. Perfect strike of grayish black cds and matching open circular grid cancel on 2¢ red brown (210) on yellow cover to Globe, Arizona Terr., purple Aug. 6th arrival backstamp; reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine and choice, Only 3 Recorded of this rare DPO, ex-Longfellow.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The Pioneer post office was open only from April 24, 1882 to September 4, 1885. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Prescott A.T., May 6 - 65". Manuscript postmark with four-ring target cancel on 3¢ pink (U35) entire to Charles City, Iowa; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine and scarce early Arizona Territorial use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Prescott Arizona Oct. 11, 186. Double-circle datestamp on orange buff cover to Iverness, Scotland bearing 2¢, 3¢ (two) and 10¢ 1861 Issue (65, 68, 73) tied together by pen cancels, additional stamps missing from left (likely a 1¢ and 2¢), red "New York '19' Nov 26" credit exchange datestamp ties two stamps, carried from New York by the Cunarder Persia on Nov. 28th, Beauly (12.9.1866) arrival backstamp; missing part of backflap and overall soiling, 2¢ stamp with crease ending in a small tear, appears Fine, despite the missing stamps this is still an extremely rare cover, Fine and rare transatlantic use from Arizona Territory., ex-Birkinbine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

This is the the only recorded Arizona Territory cover to Scotland. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Prescott, Ariz. Dec 30. Clear strike of territorial cds with matching fancy four-point star cancels tie 3¢ green (147) strip of three and 15¢ bright orange (152) on 1874 cover with corner card of General A.V. Kautz from Col. James Bassell correspondence to Hong Kong, China, reverse with partial Hong Kong (3.11.75) arrival cds; some minor cover restoration, Very Fine appearance.
Scott No. 152; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

AN EXCEPTIONAL ARIZONA TERRITORY USE TO HONG KONG, CHINA.

August Valentine Kautz (1828-1895) was a German-American soldier and Union Army cavalry officer during the American Civil War. His exemplary military service in the War began as a captain with the 6th U.S. Cavalry during the Peninsula Campaign from April to July 1862. In the fall of 1874, General August V. Kautz arrived to become Whipple's post commander. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500