"Fayette Mo, March 20th". Manuscript postmark and "6" cent rating on folded letter datelined "Old Franklin, Mar 19 1830" to Columbia Mo., letter from Edward Simpson "…I arrived safe at home the day after I left you and found able as I expected as times are partly brisk…The Duncan's will leave here on Sunday as the river is sufficiently high for any kind of Boat and is rising very fast. There is a good many going to Santa Fe from here and I think goods will Command a good price this season…"; light fold toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Fort Leavenworth, Mo., June 14. Cds and matching "X" rating handstamp on blue 1849 folded letter datelined "May 27th, 1849 near Fort Kearney" to Petersville Md., content includes "…We have arrived at the Platt River & will get to Fort Kearney four miles up on Grand Island tomorrow. We will then be about three hundred miles up on Grand Island tomorrow…" and May 28th post script "…I came ahead of the company some few miles and am now at the Fort. This fort was called Fort Childs once but it has been renamed since old Fort Kearny was destroyed…"; some edge wear, F.-V.F. with interesting trail contents.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Franklin Mo, March 1". Manuscript postmark with matching "18" cent rating on 1822 folded letter to St. Louis from Dabney Carr to Mssrs. Sith & Ferguson Merchants; separation and faults, Fine, The earliest recorded statehood postmark.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Franklin Mo. Two 1823 letters with both types of two-line postmarks from same correspondence from Alphonso Wetmore to Nathan Towson, Paymaster, Washington D.C., 1823 with "FRANKLIN. / MO." two-line Roman-type postmark and matching "FREE" italicized rating handstamp, faults and separated contents; and "FRANKLIN. / MO." two-line italicized-type postmark with manuscript "June 12" dating and matching "FREE" rating handstamp; each with folded toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

TWO OF THE FIVE RECORDED FRANKLIN MO. STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARKS.

Straightline postmarks were used at Franklin only in 1823 in two known varieties shown here: Roman and italic type. These were probably produced with type used at The Missouri Intelligencer, a newspaper printed at Franklin. Each of these letters is from the War of 1812 veteran Alphonso Wetmore after he had been appointed Army Paymaster for the central frontier. Headquartered at Franklin, Wetmore's duties included delivery and accounting for the pay of troops in the district, as well as the delivery of annuities to Indian tribes. Specie for these payments came from the sale of government lands to new settlers and the huge influx of Mexican silver coming over the Santa Fe Trail. The bottom letter describes one of his duties: "I …shall take my departure for Fort Atkinson so soon as the guards arrive from that post with pack horses for the transportation of the Specie, with which the Treasurer's draft was paid…". Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Ft Osage Mo - Decr 4". Red manuscript postmark with matching "25" rating on 1821 folded letter to Philadelphia Pa., datelined "Union, Arks Ter. Sep 30, 1821" and written by William F. Vail who was missionary to the Osage Indians at Union Mission in Arkansas Territory (present day Oklahoma), carried privately to Fort Osage and deposited in the mails there, letter thanks the recipient for clothing and other supplies for the mission and says that a school is under construction, even though they have been able to obtain only three children because of an ongoing Indian war. He concludes by saying: "Be not alarmed for our safety…though the Indians prowl around the forest in quest of each others blood, we dwell securely", Very Fine and rare, ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER POSTED AT FORT OSAGE, AND THE ONLY LETTER THAT ENTERED THE MAILS THERE DURING THE TIME THE FORT WAS OPERATING AS A GOVERNMENT INDIAN FACTORY.

Fort Osage was the first outpost built by the United States in the Louisiana Territory. In 1803, Captain William Clark selected the site on the south bank of the Missouri River. In 1808, the fort was built by the 1st Regiment, U.S. Infantry who came up the Missouri River in six keelboats under command of Captain Eli Demon. The fort soon became a trading center. A post office was established at Fort Osage in 1820. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

"Fulton Mo, Nov 28". Manuscript postmark with matching "25" cent rating on folded letter datelined "Fulton, Calloway, Missouri Nov. 26th, 1832" to City Washington Mo., transcript of letter with subscription request to the editor at the Globe, plus some political commentary, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Gentry C.H. Mo, Mar 28". Manuscript postmark and matching "Paid 10c." rating on gray 1849 folded letter addressed to Capt. J.W. Denver, U.S. Army at Wilmington Oh., long letter from Elijah P. Howell concerning pay for the father of two deceased soldiers killed while serving in the Mexican-American War, he also writes "…I am truly sorrow to hear of your bad health, but hope in this year you may have recovered. We looked thru all the innumerable confused accounts, from the line from Vera Cruz to the Capitol, with great anxiety for your Company…" and "…My brother William who was living with me when you was here, joined Simonds Company for Sante Fe and died on the plains in August (1847) of Typhoid Fever. You have no doubt heard that Capt. Simonds died on his way to Sante Fe…", Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $250 - 350. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

(Incoming Mail) 1839 (c., Aug. 2) Shawneetown Ill. to Liberty Mo. Folded letter datelined "A Ground at Shawneetown Ills." with partial red "Shawneetown, Ill., Aug 2" cds and manuscript "H Coleman, P.M., Liberty, Mo." free frank endorsement, addressed to his wife in Liberty Mo.; light stain at left, F.-V.F., ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

In the letter, Postmaster Coleman tells his wife to inform William Hayes, editor of the Far West newspaper in Caldwell County, that he "has purchased his paper and type". The town of Far West had been established by the Mormon in 1838 as their capital after being expelled from both Missouri's Jackson and Clay Counties. The paper was official Mormon organ. In 1839 violence flared between the Mormons and the locals. The State Militia was called out, destroying the town and seizing the Mormon leaders for trial. Joseph Smith escaped and fled to Illinois. He apparently sold the paper to Coleman while he was in that State. The steamboat Coleman was taking home had run aground on the Ohio River on account of low water. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Incoming Mail) 1851 (Jan. 31) Sacramento Cal. to Independence Mo. Sharp strike of red "Sacramento City, Cal. Jan 31" cds with matching "80" cent rating handstamp for double the 40¢ rate on blue 1851 folded letter to Independence Mo., carried by PMSS Panama from San Francisco Feb. 1st to Panama, then overland to Chagres and per Crescent City Feb. 25th to New York arriving Mar. 8th, back overland to Independence, some interesting content: "…The 11 per cent is a mere nothing as money is worth so much more here - California is still rich in gold & I predict that great discoveries will be made this season but Oh! I do long to be at home & can't stay away much longer. Farewell my beloved wife"; some edge wear, Very Fine, Very Fine and choice Sacramento "80" use.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Independence Mo. Aug 16. Clear strike of blue cds and manuscript "25" rating on folded letter datelined "Linnland Jackson Cty August 12th 1839" to Winchester Ky., the writer comments briefly on the sale of Mormon Lands after their expulsion from Jackson County: "…I have bought 70 acres of land joining one of the tracts I told you I had bought of the Mormons.", he also comments on having to sell a slave in Kentucky to raise cash: "…he did push me and both told the people there was no money coming to me in Ky. and almost every one to whom any thing was due pushed me in my absence, and sold a negro girl that cost me $414 for $291…"; file fold flaw, F.-V.F., ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Independence, Jul 8/47". Manuscript docket used as postmark with small blue "10" cents rating handstamp on 1847 folded letter to Warsaw Mo., Very Fine and unusual.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

(Indians - Kenekuk and the Kickapoo Indians) Weston Mo. Mar 21. Red cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "Paid 25" rating on 1844 folded letter to Rev. Milton Badger in New York City, original letter from Rev. E. Wright of the Presbyterian Church: "About four miles from Weston on the opposite side of the river & in sight of W. is the village of Kickapoos - a tribe of Indians numbering about 600 - I passed a Sab. there recently & preached to a small Congregation of them through an interpreter. The Methodists have a mission there - about 40 are members of the Ch. An old Indian of 100 years, gave special attention to the preachings - He lately became a Christian - When converted he enquired of the Minister if Jesus Christ could save an old warrior like him, who had killed so many men. As we went to the Mission Church we saw a large company of Indians gathering to hear Kenekuk the Prophet preach. He does much harm - persuades the Indians that he knows their thoughts & has often been to heaven. He says that white men killed Jesus Christ before he had made an atonement for the Red Men he Kenekuk, is sent to make an atonement for the Indian! It was truly affecting to see them assembling to hear such a vile man. Govt. built him a church about 30x50 (log) but it seems fast going to decay - 2 or 3 of the prophet's former adherents were at our meeting, now hopeful Christians - Kenekuk has an oblong clip on which are carried 5 emblems - which he pretends to have obtained in heaven on one of his visits, & which he calls his bible.", Very Fine and interesting content, ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

(Indians - Sac & Fox Nation) "Agency For Sacs and Foxes, Osage River, Feby 5th 1847". Dateline on folded letter signed by the Indian Agent John Beach to Burlington Iowa, entered mails with "Westport Mo., Feby 10" postmark and matching "10" rating, he is arranging for payment of a treaty award to an Indian girl who has just attained the age of 18 years: "I am glad to hear that the Farrar half breed is of age, for it is some trouble and one bond the less, under which to be held…all I need as a suitable receipt and satisfactory evidence of the woman's majority, which probably the Dept. will require. The receipt of course to be signed by her - unless being white, under wardship as non compos, it would be deemed more advisable to forward the receipt of the guardian in which case the facts should be properly supported. But probably the half breed's receipt only witnessed, will be the least trouble. The receipt…may embrace this form. -" and "Received [place] Octo. 26th 1846, of John Beach, U.S. Indian Agent, One Thousand Dollars, being the sum granted to me by the Sacs and Foxes, per treaty of Sept 1836…", this letter was carried privately from the Agency to Westport where it entered the mails for Burlington, Very Fine, ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Jeffn Barracks, 4 of July". Manuscript postmark with matching "25" cent rating on 1828 folded letter from E.M. Lacy to Lieut. John T. Lacy at Buffalo N.Y., Very Fine, ex-Nettles.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Jeff Barracks, Mo, Jly 13. Rimless datestamp and manuscript "Paid 25" rating on 1831 folded letter to Washington D.C., letter written and signed by the commandant General Henry Atkinson to Francis P. Blair containing a subscription to Blair's newspaper, Very Fine and scarce Jefferson Barracks use, ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Jefferson Barracks, Sept. 29th 1832". Manuscript postmark and matching "25" cent rating to Buffalo N.Y., Very Fine, ex-Nettles.
Estimate; $250 - 350. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

Jefferson Barracks Mo. Dec 7. Bold blue cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp on 1843 folded letter from Capt. C.H. Larned to Brig. Genl. R. Jones, Adj. General at Washington D.C., Very Fine and choice, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Jones Tan Yard Mo, Dec 23". Manuscript postmark and matching "40" rating on 1850 orange buff cover to Stockton Cal., blue "Advertised" oval and red crayon "4" cent fee rating, original long letter datelined "Callaway County, Mo December 22, 1950" from Mrs. E.M. Grove to her husband N.K. Grove about his gold mining venture reading in part "…I was very sorry to hear your mining has turned out so badly after so much hard labor and exposure but hope that you will be paid for all you labor. Yet you say you are compelled from want of means not to return to Missouri this winter but I think that when Tanner Hamilton can find means to bring him come you might…"; small corner flaws, F.-V.F. with a wonderful letter.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Kansas Mo., 20 May". Manuscript postmark and matching "10" cents rating on 1836 folded letter from Joseph Bissonette to Thomas Sarpy, care of Mr. Geroux regarding new supplies for trading post; some erosion at center, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Kansas City Mo. 1846-1860s. Better collection of approx. 60 covers mounted on quadrille pages in two beautiful albums and some loose, noted includes 1846 "Kansas Mo." blue ms. postmark on letter describing delivering specie to the Wyandot Indians across the Kansas River in unorganized territory, ms. "Kansas Mo." use to J.W. Denver with content describing $2,100 sale of slaves but seller never heard of again after meeting buyer, 1849 ms. "Kansas Mo." with part letter from gold rush seeker on first wave to Cal., 1849 ms. "Kansas Mo." letter from Rev. Patton of Wyandott Mission to Shawnee Mission; eku of first "Kansas Mo. Mar 10" cds on 1851 cover to Oh., several advertising covers including one illustrated showing the waterfront on the Missouri River and Steamboat "Emma", four Civil War patriotics inc. Oct. 30th 1861 use of 3¢ pink #64, 1853 foreign mail to Germany at 30¢ PCM rate, 1858 "Kansas Mo." 1859 St. Louis printed circular to Kansas City, 1860s use to Fort Lyon, Colorado Terr. with "Via Kansas City Way Mail" routing endorsement etc., F.-V.F., interesting collection with some great content.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

"Lexington Mo., Feby 22nd". Manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 12½" rating on 1830 folded letter to Fulton Mo.; lightly overall toning, Very Fine and early.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Liberty Mo. Oct 30. Fancy oval postmark and manuscript "Paid. 6" rating on 1835 folded letter to the Ray County Judge in Richmond Mo., letter from Benjamin Hancock saying he can not attend court and that he has "settled with the Auphants and one of them is at the Senica nation at work…", F.-V.F., a rare example of the fancy Liberty Mo. oval.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Liberty Mo. May 6. Red cds and manuscript "10" rating on 1839 folded affidavit from Clay County Justice of the Peace certifying that Benjamin Hayes, publisher of the Far West newspaper had printed the affixed insolvent debtor notice four times; some file docketing and ink mark, F.-V.F., ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The flight of the Mormons from Far West caused serious financial repercussions in the area. This letter from Liberty contains a insolvent debtor notice that had been published four times in the Far West newspaper, the last time being April 11, 1839, nine days before the last of the Mormons left the state. The Far West newspaper was the official Mormon organ. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

(Little Osage Mission) "Forwarded from Little Osage M., Aug 25th". Manuscript postmark and "For - 5" rating totaled to "15" cents due on folded letter datelined "London, May 31st 1846" bootlegged to the U.S., red "New-York N.Y., 21 Jul" cds and manuscript "10" rating to Harmony Mission Mo., forwarded upon arrival to Calhoun, Very Fine and interesting use, ex-Alexander.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Masonic College Mo., July 3rd". Manuscript postmark and matching "10" cent rating on folded letter datelined "Masonic College of Mo., July 1, 1845" from J.W. Smith to Staunton Va., Very Fine, One of only three known examples of this rare postmark..
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The Grand Lodge of Missouri opened the first Masonic College in Philadelphia in Marion Country in spring of 1844. The institution operated using facilities previously owned by Marion College, however, proving insufficient the school administration soon sought a new location. In 1847, the citizens of Lexington, subscribed $30,000 to relocate the college. On May 18th 1847, the Grand Lodge of Masons in Missouri laid the cornerstone of the Masonic College in Lexington. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400