"7,000 feet above the clouds on the summit of Pike's Peak in the U.S. Signal Office, Nov. 17th /74". Dateline on letter only starting "…I arrived here the highest point of civilization at 1. O'clock P.M. I sincerely hope you feel better than I do, I have one of those dizzy head-aches…I have not the descriptive powers to give you the slightest idea of the grand views I've seen this after noon, about 100 yards north of the house is a great crater over 5000 (five thousand) feet deep…we rolled some great boulders down & it took over five minutes for them to reach the bottom…", Very Fine and interesting letter.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Bald Mountain, Colo., Apr 10. Cds with matching target handstamp tying 3¢ green (147) on small cover to Denver Col., manuscript "April 73" docketing at left, Very Fine, The only known territorial postmark from Bald Mountain which was the preceding post office name for Nevada, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The Post Office Department had its own ideas about post office names. In this case, confusion with Nevada City, California, was the stated reason for a name change. However the residents after refused to accept the change as applying to the town. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Bear Canon, Colo., Jan 3d, 1871". Manuscript postmark and matching ms. strokes cancel 2¢ red brown (146) pair on cover to Washington D.C., Very Fine and choice, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED POSTMARK FROM BEAR CANON, COLORADO TERRITORY.

Bear Canon located in Douglas country south of Denver. Post Office opened on April 7th 1869 and closed on August 4th 1879. Marcus L. James was postmaster. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

"Booneville, Colo., July 15th, 1872". Manuscript postmark and matching cross-hatch cancels 3¢ green (158) on yellow cover to Perta, Missouri, Very Fine, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

This cover is listed by Jarrett as the EKU and only recorded territorial use. Unfortunately, upon the year date is not "1872", but rather 1878 in line with another example from this correspondence (See Rumsey Sale 73 Lot 1060) and the correct stamp issue. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Fair Play Col., Aug 13, 1866". Manuscript postmark and ms. matching cancels on 2¢ black (73) and two 3¢ rose (65) singles, on a very puzzling yellow 1866 cover to France, two of the stamps were correctly overstruck with the oblong "Short Paid" handstamp (the correct rate to France was 15¢, with prepayment optional), inexplicably, the Chicago office also applied the circular red "Chicago Ill., Paid 12" credit exchange cds as fully prepaid, red Calais entry cds and matching "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (9.13) transit backstamp; some docketing on face, Very Fine, Illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book., ex-Persson, Bauer, Pacetti.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A WONDERFUL 2¢ BLACK JACK COLORADO TERRITORY USE TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION.

A very puzzling cover to France with 8¢ in postage underpaying the 15¢ French mail treaty rate exchanged in Chicago, where two of the stamps were correctly overstruck with the oblong "Short Paid" handstamp. The "Paid 12" handstamp was incorrectly applied by the Chicago office possibly before the short payment was noticed, a surprisingly rare example of an uncorrected error by an exchange office. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

"Georgetown C.T., Nov 4/67". Manuscript territorial postmark also cancelling 3¢ rose (65) on orange cover to Hawleyville, Iowa, with original enclosure, Very Fine, ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Grant P.O., Jan 18". Manuscript postmark ties 6¢ dull pink (159) vertical pair on 1875 Hall Valley Silver-Lead Mining and Smelting Co. corner card cover to London, England, red "New York P.O., Jan 27" exchange cds, red London Paid arrival cds; cover slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, ex-Bauer, Pacetti.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE FOREIGN DESTINATION COVER FROM GRANT, COLORADO TERRITORY.

This rare usage from Grant fetched $2,900 in our 2013 Bauer Colorado Postal History sale. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

"Hillsborough, Jan 27". Manuscript postmark and matching ms. "X" cancel on 3¢ green (158), s.e. at right, on 1874 orange cover to Fort Collins Col. Terr., 1874 year docketing at left, with original enclosure, Very Fine, One of two territorial postmarks recorded from this town., ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Hiltenville, Aprl 6". Purple manuscript postmark and matching cork cancel on 3¢ green entire to Fort Collins, Col. Terr., 1875 year docketing at left; reduced at left, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

THE ONLY RECORDED POSTMARK FROM THIS POST OFFICE.

The Hiltonville Post Office was established on October 10, 1873 and was moved to Wheatland on September 24, 1875. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Hughes, Colo., Sept 5, 1871". Manuscript postmark canceling in 3¢ green entire to Evans, Col. Ter.; a bit reduced at right, F.-V.F., The earliest of two recorded territorial postmarks from this town., ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Hughes was a station on the Overland Mail route and was named for General Bela M. Hughes, president of the company. Indeed, Hughes barely qualified as a town. It was the junction of the Denver-Pacific and Denver, Marshall & Boulder railroads, but never had commercial import. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Mount Vernon, Col., Aug 2. Blue cds with matching grid cancel ties 3¢ green (147), s.e. at left, on circa 1874 cover to Columbus Ohio; some light cover toning at left, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED USE FROM MOUNT VERNON, COLORADO.

Mount Vernon located in Jefferson County 20 miles west of Denver on one of the main road leading over Squaw Pass to the Gold Fields on South Clear Creek. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Nevada C.T., Jun 21. Bold dark blue cds and matching four-ring targets tie two 12¢ green (117) singles on orange cover to Farnham, England, red London Paid arrival cds, reverse with Farnham (7.10) and red London (7.10) cds's, forwarded to France with manuscript "2" pence due rating, small black "X"; no back flap and small repaired edge faults, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

A RARE 12¢ 1869 COLORADO TERRITORIAL TRANSATLANTIC USE. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Oro City, Colo., Aug 11. Type 2 cds ties 3¢ green (158) on 1881 cover to Evans Boston, Mass., pen notation from portion of letter datelined "Leadville, April 25, 1881", Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Spring Valley, Col., Mar 19/67". Manuscript postmark and matching cross-hatch cancelling 3¢ rose (65) on orange cover to East Barnard, Vt.; cover reduced at right, F.-V.F., The earliest recorded use from Spring Valley, ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Spring Valley was settled in the early 1860s near a large fresh water spring. Travelers going west or north to Denver City enjoyed this luxury. Post Office opened on May 27, 1865, and ceased operation in 1885. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Ula C.T., Feby 1, 72". Manuscript postmark and matching small "X" cancels on 3¢ green (147) pair on 1872 yellow cover to London, England, red "New York, Feb 10" exchange cds, red "London, Paid, Feb 22" entry postmark tying pair; couple small cover tears at top, still Very Fine, ex-Bauer, Pacetti.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED MANUSCRIPT TERRITORIAL POSTMARK FROM ULA. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Valmont, April 2nd. Circa 1866 manuscript postmark and matching ms. strokes cancel 3¢ rose (65) on orange cover to Mount Holly N.J., F.-V.F., ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

THE ONLY RECORDED TERRITORIAL USAGE OF A MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK FROM VALMONT.

Valmont was a small station along the Denver Road rail line east of Boulder. The post office was opened September 15, 1865 and continued service until 1901. A manuscript postmark was in use again on August 11, 1882. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Wayside Colo, 6/6 1877". Manuscript postmark with matching ms. strokes cancelling 3¢ green (158) on buff cover to Clarksville Ark.; edge tear at left and no bottom flap, Very Fine, The only recorded use from Wayside.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Wayside was the first post office located in Alamosa County just west of present day Alamosa in the San Luis Valley. The post office was established February 15, 1875 and discontinued on September 10, 1878. The town served as a stage stop for the Southern Overland Mail operated by Barlow and Sanderson from Pueblo. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Florida) "Bellville Fla, Apr 27th 1851". Manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 10" rating on gray folded cover to New York, N.Y.; horizontal file fold, F.-V.F., this being one of only six recorded type I Bellville manuscript postmarks.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

(Florida) St. Augustine Florida Postal History, 1834-1900s. Group of over 60 covers including 6 territorial stampless usages, frankings of 3¢ 1851-57, Bank Note issue and later, some advertising and hotel covers, etc., plus about 60 later STAUGPEX stampshow and other commemorative covers, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Illinois) Libertyville Ill., Jul 8. Clear red postmark on fresh folded letter sheet to Prattsburg, N.H. with choice strike of matching fancy "Paid 3" with stars in circle handstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Kansas) Pawnee Fork K.T. "Jun 4". Bold strike of unusual double-circle datestamp with manuscript date, matching ms. squiggle cancels 3¢ dull red (26) on orange cover to Columbia Pa.; reduced at right, and Extremely Fine strike.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE FINER OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS PAWNEE FORK, KANSAS TERRITORIAL POSTMARK. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500