Bluffdale, Illinois, Jan. 15. Red homemade double-oval datestamp and manuscript "25" rating on docketed 1832 folded cover to Rev. Brigham at New York N.Y., Very Fine and choice strike.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

(The Great Chicago Fire) "Chicago Oct 10 / 71". Dateline on three-page enclosed letter written during the Chicago fire, original cover with "Boston Mass Oct 14" duplex with cork cancel, no stamp or due markings, excellent letter written in pencil that mentions "The city is still burning…Gen. Sheridan is guarding the city with 4,000 soldiers"; minor cover age stains, a Very Fine letter and usage, ex-Rohloff.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871. The fire killed up to 300 people and destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of Chicago leaving more than 100,000 residents homeless. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S. disasters of the 19th century, and destroyed much of the city's central business district, Chicago was rebuilt and continued to grow as one of the most populous and economically important American cities. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Delhi Ill. Straightline postmark with manuscript "Mar 5" date and "Paid 5" rating on 1846 folded letter to Alton Ill., Very Fine, ex-Rohloff.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Downers. Grove / Illinois. Bold strike of two-line postmark showing remnants of fancy surround, with manuscript "May 5th" date and matching "10" rating on 1846 folded letter to Marlborough Conn.; edge splitting, a Very Fine and choice strike, ex-Rohloff.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Equality Ill, April 27th". Manuscript postmark below crossed out manuscript "Raleigh Ill, Apr 27" postmark and "Paid 5" rating on blue 1850 folded letter datelined "Marion Ill. 27th April 1850" to Hopkinsville Ky.; light edge toning, F.-V.F., This letter was written by a black man.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Freedom Ill. Sharp strike of straightline in brown with manuscript "Mar 25" date and matching "10" rating on blue 1851 folded letter to Fayetteville N.Y., Very Fine and exceptionally rare.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Galena Ills. Jun 5. Bold strike of red cds with matching "Paid" and "10" rating handstamps on 1850 folded letter from Sauke Prairie Wis. to Lewistown Pa., manuscript "Steamer Enterprise" endorsement, a choice and Very Fine steamboat use, ex-Rohloff.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Jacksonville Ill Nov. 29. Rimless oval postmark with manuscript "25" rating on 1830 folded letter to Mocksville N.C., long letter, Very Fine and scarce postmark.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"McClure's Grove Il, 24 Jan". Manuscript postmark and matching "25" rating on 1838 folded letter to Harwinton Ct., long letter; toning, Fine and scarce early DPO.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Robin's Nest, Ill. "Oct 5". Printed postmark with manuscript date on 1842 folded letter with additional printed "Free, P.M." and manuscript "B. Chase" free frank endorsement to Charleston S.C.; edge faults, Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The postal markings on this 1842 folded letter were applied concurrent with the printed solicitation on the message leaf. The solicitor was Bishop Chase who was busily establishing the Jubilee College. He was also the postmaster, so he could send his solicitations postage free. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Saint Marie, Illinois. Fancy starred double-circle postmark with manuscript "21 March 1848" date and "Paid 10cts" rating on transatlantic folded cover to France, red Le Havre (5.9) entry cds with manuscript "10" decimes due rating, Brumath (5.12) arrival backstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Shawnee town, 3 Febry" (Territory). Manuscript postmark and matching "25" cent rating on 1811 folded letter to Derby Ct., written by Peter Lewis who in 1818 was appointed by Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards as a Captain in the 6th Regiment; faults mostly at edges, F.-V.F., ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $600 - 800.

Shawneetown was at the time one of the most important towns in the Illinois Territory. It had one of the principal land offices and was a shipping point for salt. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

"Shawaneetown, 11 Novr" (Territory). Manuscript postmark and matching "25" cent rating on 1818 folded letter to Derby Conn., Very Fine and rare territorial use from Shawaneetown, This was sent only one month prior to statehood.
Estimate; $600 - 800. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

Shawneetown. / Ill / April 12. Three-line postmark and manuscript "18½" cent rating on 1820 folded letter to St. Louis Mo.; file folds, light stain, Fine and exceptionally rare.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY STATEHOOD STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK, THE ASCC LISTING EXAMPLE. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Winchester. Ill. Straightline postmark with red manuscript "Apl 1" rate and "25" cent rating on 1834 folded letter to Colchester Vt.; cover faults including folds reinforcement, Fine and rare straightline.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Illinois Postal History, 1800-1900s. Collection of over 35 covers with many better mostly from the stampless period but a few later, including 1800 hand carried from Kaskaskia to Pittsburgh, 1831 Bluffdale red oval, 1824 and 1833 Edwardsville red homemade cds, 1835 Edwardsville red double-circle cds, 1838 Edwardsville arc surrounding an inner ring, 1819 Edwardsville balloon cds, 1842 Troy Grove arc postmark, 1826 Shawneetown oval postmark, 1841 Lockport red cds, 1838 Mount Carmel oval, 1851 Libertyville with fancy "Paid 3 Cents" fancy ratemarker, 1843 Godfrey straightline, 1829 Galena two-line, 1832 Lower Alton with Black Hawk war content, etc.; some mixed condition, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000