San Francisco, Cal., 30 Aug. Large serifed cds in orange red on small portion of folded letter (front with side flaps) addressed to "St. Francisco," clamshell "Ship 6" due handstamp in matching orange red, 1851 pencil notation is consistent with the clamshell appearing in that color, some faults, Fine.
Estimate; $75 - 100. Est. $75-100

Est. $75-100

San Francisco, Cal. (San Francisco). Two covers; large serifed cds in orange red and "29" rate and straightline "Paid" handstamps on cover to Liverpool, England (29¢ west coast rate to England prepaid), "via Panama" sender's endorsement at right, New York or Boston "19" credit handstamp in bright red, Liverpool "America, Paid, No 18, 51" arrival postmark in dark red, carried from San Francisco on the SS Oregon; and large cds on November 19, 1859, folded letter to La Rochelle, France (double 15c treaty rate not prepaid), "New York, 6, Dec 13" exchange cds, French entry postmark and "16" décimes due marking, various French postmarks on the back including "La Rochelle, 28 Dec, 59," carried from San Francisco on the SS John L. Stephens, possibly carried from Boston on the Cunard Line SS Europa, Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

(San Francisco) From Noisy Carrier's, Mail.77 Long Wharf S.F. Cal. Sharp strike in green of fancy rectangle handstamp on reverse of cover bearing 1¢ blue (9) large margins and 3¢ dull red (11A) pair and single, all tied by two strikes of "San Francisco, Cal. 1 Jun" cds to Camden Me., part of missing flap replaced, F.-V.F. and scarce attractive strike in green.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The Noisy Carriers handstamp was applied by Noisy Carriers Publishing Hall to indicate or advertise their handling of mail put on steamers departing for Nicaragua or Panama. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

San Francisco (San Francisco). Destination on cover with "per Golden Gate" sender's endorsement, no postmark but "20" due handstamp for an unpaid double-weight letter arriving by contract ship, docket indicates the cover originated April 27, 1855, in Washington, D.C., and was received May 30, 1855, in San Francisco, small stains mostly around the edges, Very Fine, a most uncommon contract ship letter use.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

This cover was most likely carried on the SS George Law that departed New York City on May 5, 1855, and arrived in Aspinwall on May 16, 1855. The unpaid cover must have been picked up en route in Washington, D.C and transported from there outside of the locked mail bags. The cover was then carried on the SS Golden Gate that departed Panama City on May 16, 1855, and arrived in San Francisco on May 30, 1855. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

San Francisco Cal, 30, Nov 21, 1859 (San Francisco). Large cds on November 19, 1859, folded letter in French with "Hy. Schroder & Co." sender's handstamp and unclear steamship endorsement to La Rochelle, France (double 15c treaty rate not prepaid), "New York, 6, Dec 13" exchange cds, French entry postmark and "16" décimes due marking, various French postmarks on the back including "La Rochelle, 28 Dec, 59," carried from San Francisco on the SS John L. Stephens, possibly carried from Boston on the Cunard Line SS Europa, minor corner wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150

Est. $100-150

San Francisco, Cal, Apr 29, 1863 (San Francisco). Double circle postmark and hint of target cancel on incoming cover addressed to Dutch Flat, "Ship 5" due handstamp for the 2¢ ship fee plus 3¢ postage to destination, "From Panama" etc. pencil docket, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

1861, 1¢ blue. Double circle postmark with duplexed circled grid ties 1861 1¢ blue pair and single on folded letter to Overland Mail Company Agent Hiram S. Rumfield in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, excellent letter from the Bremen Consul in San Francisco reads "I am obliged to Messrs. Wells Fargo + Co. here for your address. Mr. William Gildemeister, German by birth, about 30 years of age, left New York about the middle of September apparently in order to travel across the country to this place, and has never been heard of since. At first I thought he had taken company with one of the many [wagon] trains coming over, but have ascertained since that they always start during the months of April, May and June and therefore [I] have come to the conclusion that Mr. Gildemeister must have taken the Overland Mail Route…. Mr. Gildemeister is of a highly respectable family, which is very anxious to hear from him, as I received a telegraphic dispatch this morning from New York in regard to him…. [I] would feel much obliged to you if you would make some inquiries about the said Mr. Gildemeister in order to find out… where he is and what has become of him.", Very Fine.
Scott No. 63; Estimate $300 - 400.

At the time this letter was written, the Overland Mail Company was the stage company responsible for carrying passengers and mail on the western half of the Central Overland Route. The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company, as subcontractor to the Overland Mail Company, was responsible for the eastern half of the route. Salt Lake City was the division point. The Overland Mail Company was controlled by Wells Fargo. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

San Francisco, Cal, Dec 13, 1864 (San Francisco). Double circle postmark and "15" rate handstamp, also "15" pencil notation, on December 12, 1864, folded letter in French with "Hy. Schroder & Co." sender's handstamp and "Steamer Golden City" sender's endorsement to Reims, France (15¢ treaty rate not prepaid), partial "New York, 9, Jan ?" exchange cds, blurred Calais entry postmark in orange and "8" décimes due marking, additional French postmarks on the back including "Reims, 20 Jany, 65", Very Fine.
Estimate; $75 - 100. Est. $75-100

Est. $75-100

San Francisco 1906 Earthquake. Printed "Palace Hotel, San Francisco Cal" corner card cover without postage cancelled by "San Francisco, Cal., Apr 22, 1906" machine cancel to Santa Barbara Cal., endorsed "all letters from San Francisco without stamps"; small edge tear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The San Francisco earthquake hit at 5:12AM on April 18th, 1906. The Post Office survived the quake and allowed mail to be sent postage free to help expedite news from the now devastated city. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

San Francisco 1906 Earthquake Post Cards. Very interesting recently discovered lot of 5 picture postcards canceled May-July 1906 from Bay Area; each sent to British East Africa; includes beautiful 2 card foldout card; messages refer to destruction of the earthquake, a very scarce destination.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Stockton, Cal., Mar 28. Large cds without integral rate and manuscript "40" rate marking on cover to Chaplin, Connecticut "U.S.", undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, Very Fine, the only recorded example of this postmark type without integral rate.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Stockton, Cal., Apr 28 / 80. Large cds with integral rate on folded letter sheet (no contents) to New Lisbon, New York, "via Panama" sender's directive, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, bleach spots, short edge tear, F.-V.F., the only recorded example of this postmark type showing the 80¢ double rate.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Stockton, Cal., June 28 / 40. Large cds with integral rate on cover to Falmouth, Massachusetts, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, F.-V.F., ex-Myerson.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Stockton, Cal., May 4, '51. Manuscript postmark and manuscript "40" and "Pd" rate marking on folded letter to Oxford, Connecticut, letter (1 page) is written in verse from a man to a woman back home and datelined "California May 1, 1851", letter begins "There was quite a rush, To the Post Office last night, And I among the rest, Was happily blessed, With a letter, which gave real delight", minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The "destruction of Stockton by fire" is referenced in the letter in the previous lot. That fire may be the reason why the Stockton postmaster resumed using manuscript postmarks for a short time in 1851. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200