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

3¢ 1851-57 Issue Cancellation Collection. Collection of over 600 stamps including many pairs and multiples housed on stock pages with a wide variety of cancellations with many on piece, includes railroads, express mail, red N.Y. carriers, section of "Way" markings, "Free", section of "Paid" and "Paid 3" markings, grids, colors, fancy cancels including stars, circle of wedges, blue cross, Crucifix of Sunderland Vt. on piece, blue 3-Leaf Clover, large "B" of Bridgeport, Conn., arrowhead, Spiral of Dots in Circle of Salem Mass., Shield of Plymouth Hollow Conn., two pairs on piece tied by "N. York Steamship" circular handstamp, two-line Steam Ship handstamps, "Steamboat", "Steam" including on "Steamer Natchez No. 2" front, "Steamer J.P. Pargoud", N.Y. ocean mail cds's, unusual townmarks including straight lines, ovals, green "Newport Mich." cds, "Tucson N.M." early territorial cds, Wells Fargo Express, Chicago Supplementary, "Jenny Lind Cal Feb 25" manuscript postmark on #26 vertical strip of five, auxiliary markings, etc.; some duplication, condition varies, F.-V.F., a wonderful collection with many better strikes.
Scott No. 10-11A, 25-26; Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
View a PDF of images for this lot Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

Arrow. Two bold crossed strikes tie 3¢ rose (65), matching "Cambridge N.Y., Nov 18" cds on light buff cover to Salem, N.Y.; cover reduced at left and lower left corner restored, otherwise Very Fine and rare fancy cancel.
Skinner-Eno No. PO-Wt unlisted; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS PICTORIAL FANCY CANCELLATION. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Glen Allen Star Precancel. Cancel on 1¢ gray blue (206) on International Printing Label Establishment corner card cover to Forksville Pa., "Glen Allen Virginia May 29, 1884" printed datestamp, enclosures include terms chit and a beautiful illustrated enclosure for check designs with bottom designs similar to the Glen Allen postmark, Very Fine and choice.
Cole No. PC-12; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A WONDERFUL GLEN ALLEN STAR PRECANCEL USAGE WITH MATCHING ILLUSTRATED ENCLOSURE. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Pointing Hand with integral "G". Bold strike ties 1¢ blue (156) and 2¢ brown (157), matching fancy bold "Granger, Ind., Sep 21, 1875" date stamp with first letter "G" forming the circular date stamp on gray shaded cover to Adrian, Mich.; cover slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine, ex-H.J. Baker & A. Beane Jr., with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Whitfield No. 579; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A REMARKABLE COMBINATION OF FANCY TOWN MARK AND POINTING HAND CANCELLER FROM GRANGER, INDIANA. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Three Leaf Clover. Bold strike fancy cancel duplexed with partial "New-York City, Oct 5" cds ties 2¢ black (73) on all-gray shaded ad cover for Geo. W. Alexander Bookbinder to local street address; N. Orr & Co. Illuminated Envelope imprint on flap, Very Fine and rare New York City Local mail fancy cancel.
Skinner-Eno No. PP-C unlisted; Estimate $500 - 750.

As a sign of rarity, this New York City local mail cancel was not recorded by Skinner in the Skinner-Eno book or his article on New York cancellations. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

19th Century Fancy Cancellations on Cover. Important collection comprising approximately 200 covers and postal cards with full better range of fancy pictorials, geometrics, letters, stars, leaves, crosses, New York Foreign Mail cancels, N.Y. City domestics, etc.; highlights includes such noteworthy cancellations as the Lynchburg Va. "Man with Top Hat"; Bloomington Ill. "Negative Six-Point Star of David" on 1¢ #112 strip of three; "Woodsville Pa." fancy oval postmark cancel; Monticello, Florida blue "Top Hat"; Hartford Conn. "Eagle on Shield"; Tunkahannock Pa. "Mask"; Mitchell, Dakota Terr. "Three-Leaf Clover"; South Columbia Cal. "Indian Head"; Philadelphia "Heart"; New York City "U" in Star of David; New York "Devils Mask", Magnolia Wisc. Large "Anchor", several different version of the of the Pittsburgh "Skull and Crossbones in Coffin"; Pittsburgh Pa. Negative "Pointing Hand"; Richfield Springs N.Y. Negative "EAH"; Pittsburg Pa. Negative "HR"; City of Sherman Texas purple "OK"; Princeton Ill. Negative "79"; Fredericksburg "Arrowhead"; Thorntown Ind. "Skull & Crossbones"; Oswego N.Y. "Face with Eyebrows; Bloomington Iowa. Negative "Face"; Syracuse N.Y. negative "US" in grid; NYFM Circular Geometric; NYFM Star Geometric; West Berkeley "Shoe" on 3¢ War Dept. piece; Berlin Wisc. Bottle Stopper "4" in Negative Star of David; Providence R.I. "Jack-o-Lantern"; St. Louis Mo. "Eagle; Greenfield Mass. negative "Skull & Crossbones" in Circle; Belfast N.Y. "Japanese Fan"; Chicago Ill. Blue "Fouled Anchor" in Diamond; University of Va. "UV" in Circle and Oval; Savannah Ga. "Pinwheel"; New York City "Propeller"; and many many more; mostly clear strikes, minor faults in stamps or covers but selected for attractiveness, F.-V.F. collection with many superior strikes and tremendous value.
Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.

AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF THIS CLASSIC AMERICAN ART FORM THAT WOULD TAKE YEARS TO ASSEMBLE A COMPARABLE HOLDING.
View a PDF of images for this lot Est. $10,000-15,000 (Image)

Est. $10,000-15,000

Steamer Illinois, C. Harbor, Jul 19, 1863. Clear strike of cds on cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by manuscript cross cancel to Buffalo N.Y., docketed "Copper Harbor Mich, July 19th 1863" at left, Very Fine and choice, ex-"Chicago".
Milgram No. 632; Estimate $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

By Steamer Rapides. Perfect sharp strike of this illustrated name-of-boat handstamp on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La.; light vertical fold, usual filing hole, Very Fine, ex-Somdal, Milgram (J.W.M.), with 1991 Holcombe certificate.
Milgram No. 1158; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF THE FINEST STRIKES OF THIS RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE ILLUSTRATED STEAMBOAT MARKING. ONE OF ONLY NINE RECORDED EXAMPLES, SIX OF WHICH HAVE COMPLETE STRIKES.

The "Rapides" was a wooden-hull side-wheel packetboat that was built in New Albany Ind. in 1855. Originally built for C.J. Barston of Rapides Parish La., she plied the waters between New Orleans and Donaldsonville up to 1856, then later between New Orleans and Shreveport before being used by the Confederacy after 1861. The marking used on mail carried by the "Rapides" is a remarkable depiction of a Mississippi steamboat without equal among the other handstamps of the period. It is interesting to note that all four dated examples originate from the same Dec. 20th circa 1856 sailing to New Orleans.

The nine recorded covers bearing this marking:
1. Dec. 20 (1856), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Hugh Feldman.
2. Dec. 20 (1856), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., 2001 Siegel Rarity Sale (lot 5).
3. Dec. 20 (1856), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., docketing on face. PFC #385244.
4. Dec. 20 (1856), partial strike (paper loss painted in) on folded letter missing stamp to Messrs. G. Toledano & Taylor in New Orleans La.
5. undated, 3¢ dull red #11 uncancelled on folded letter from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-West, illust. in Milgram.
6. undated, 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Somdal, "Antoine", Milgram (J.W.M.), the example offered here.
7. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La.,
8. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., pencil "Valuable", ex-Bohren, PFC #194326
9. unknown, front only bearing 3¢ dull red #11, ex-Latshaw Collection. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

(British Columbia & Vancouver Island) Wells Fargo & Co., Express, Victoria, V.I. Blue oval handstamp canceling on fresh 1854, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, with negative "Customs, Vancouver Island" crown circular handstamp and black company frank at top, Very Fine and choice, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. U10; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A CHOICE USAGE OF THE VANCOUVER ISLAND CUSTOMS CROWN CIRCULAR HANDSTAMP.

Wells, Fargo & Co. opened their office in Victoria in July 1858. The next year they absorbed Freeman's Express, who had opened their that same month. During the Colonial period, Wells, Fargo & Co. handled approximately half of the express mail letters to and from British Columbia & Vancouver Island. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(Gahagan & Howe) City G & H Express. Blue double-lined oval handstamp with "423 Washn. St. S.E. Cor. Sansome St." address struck twice on stampless cover to Miss A. Wells, North Side Francisco, San Francisco, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS SHORT-LIVED COMPANY THAT DELIVERED MAIL LOCALLY IN SAN FRANCISCO.

References: Illustrated in Coburn's Letters of Gold on page 69. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Jones & Cartwright Transportation Line, Leavenworth., Pikes Peak. Boxed illustrated corner card showing Freight Wagons Traveling West To Colorado Territory With Snow Capped Pike Peak in the Distance, on cover to Winfield, Va., franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (small edge nick at right) tied by "Leavenworth City, Kans, Dec 13" cds, Very Fine.
Scott No. 26; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE JONES & CARTWRIGHT TRANSPORTATION LINE ILLUSTRATED CORNER CARD COVER.

MATCHING LETTERHEAD DESIGN IS ILLUSTRATED IN J. ROSA'S BOOK WILD BILL HICKOK: SHARPSHOOTER AND U.S. MARSHAL OF THE WILD WEST ON PAGE 28.

John Stycks Jones, of the Jones & Russell's Pike's Peak Express Co., and Joseph F. Cartwright, both from Pettis, Missouri, formed the Jones & Cartwright Transportation Line, a large freight company in 1858 to carry supplies across the plains. Their first trip was of 156 wagons, the freight delivered to Camp Floyd, Utah, 40 miles from Salt Lake City. When gold was discovered in Colorado, they commence business in the region. A Denver City correspondence, dated August 17, 1859 states "At this time Jones and Cartwright purchased the Pollard House in Auraria for $3,000, as a wholesale store, thereby inaugurating the freighting firm of Jones & Cartwright (in Colorado), forwarders between Leavenworth and Denver. Their first train of some thirty wagons arrived August 24, to supply the wholesale and retail business of this firm."

Both Jones & Cartwright Transportation Line and Jones & Russell's Pike's Peak Express Co. where in operation at the same time. On September 12, 1859, a coach arrived at Leavenworth after a six-day trip from Denver with $9,000 in gold addressed to eleven consignees, of which the firms of Jones & Cartwright and Jones, Russell & Co., received the major portions.

According to J. Rosa "Wild Bill Hickok: Sharpshooter and U.S. Marshal of the Wild West", a gentleman named James Hickok (a.k.a. Wild Bill Hickok) moved to Olathe, Kansas Territory and joined Jones & Cartwright Transportation Line as a teamster, leading the team of mules, horses and oxen to Denver City and back. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000