Gibsonville, Cal., "Feb 28". Bold cds with manuscript date (SIE-720) and manuscript "Paid 10" rating above on buff cover to Canterburrel, Conn., with original 1859 two-page enclosure; minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Long Bar, Cal'a, Sept'r. 17th '58". Flowery manuscript postmark (YUB-750) with matching pen cancel on 1857 10¢ green on light buff cover to Hanson Mass., Very Fine and unusual, ex-Tatham.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Located between Sacramento and Oroville to the west, tiny Long Bar had a Post Office between April 1858 and June 1864. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

"Moons Ranch Cal, July 12th 1855". Manuscript postmark (TEH-880) and matching "Paid 10" rating on light buff cover to Springfield Ill., 1855 docketing, original long letter concerning sickness, fire, hogs, destroying grain, etc., Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Mud Springs, Cala., "Sept 27th". Bold strike of circular town postmark with manuscript date (ELD-2550) and matching manuscript "10" rating to Assyria P.O., Michigan; cover wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Placerville, Cal. Nov 16. Manuscript postmark (ELD-2910) with matching manuscript "Paid 40" rating on blue 1850 folded letter to St. Louis Mo.; some wear & staining, Fine and scarce.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Sacramento, Oct 24 1849, Paid, 40. Clear strike of straightline postmark with integral rating on 1849 datelined gray folded letter to Yellow Spring Iowa, carried by PMSS California from San Francisco Nov. 1st to Panama arriving Nov. 22nd, then overland to Chagres, then per Crescent City Nov. 28th to New York arriving Dec. 7th, and back overland to Yellow Spring, Very Fine.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE SACRAMENTO STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Sacramento, Cal., Jan 1. Oval datestamp (SAC-2480) duplexed with "Paid 40."double-oval rating on blue 1850 cover front to Augusta, Ga., ex-Straley.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Sacramento Cal. Jan 31. Sharp strike of red 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 and choice Sacramento "80" use.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"San Francisco, June 20". Red manuscript postmark with matching "40" cent rating on blue 1849 datelined folded letter to Canterbury N.Y., carried by PMSS Panama from San Francisco Jun. 20th to Panama City arriving Jul. 12th, then overland to Chagres where placed on U.S. Steamship Co. Falcon departing July 28th to New York arriving Aug. 17th; long interesting letter about the journey west and the gold mining boom, Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE LATEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK, THE ONLY RECORDED FROM THE FIRST CONTRACT SAILING OF THE S.S. PANAMA.

Beginning in March, the red manuscript postmark was used for the monthly sailings to Panama. Evidently, the straightline postmark arrived during the day of June 20th. There are a total of 9 recorded letters carried on the first contract sailing of the "Panama", eight of which are struck with the San Francisco straightline. This is the sole example with the red manuscript postmark. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

San Francisco "Jan 20". Straightline postmark with magenta dating and matching "40" cent rating on 1849 buff cover to Philadelphia Pa., carried by PMSS Panama from San Francisco Jun. 20th to Panama City arriving Jul. 12th, then overland to Chagres where placed on U.S. Steamship Co. Falcon departing July 28th to New York arriving Aug. 17th; couple trivial light stains, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A RARE FIRST DAY OF USAGE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO STRAIGHT LINE HANDSTAMP, ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED FROM THE FIRST CONTRACT SAILING OF THE S.S. PANAMA.

The San Francisco straight line postmark was used only on mail dispatched on the third, fourth, and fifth contract sailings from San Francisco to Panama in 1849. It was used on some mail dispatched on the first departure of the S.S. "Panama" on June 20 (including this folded letter), all mail dispatched on the second departure of the S.S. "Oregon" on July 2, and some mail dispatched on the second departure of the S.S. "California" on August 1. The straight line postmark was preceded by manuscript postmarks and succeeded by cds postmarks. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

San Francisco, 40, 1 June. Red integral-rate cds on 1850 gray datelined folded letter to Anderson's Store Tenn., endorsed "Via New Orleans", carried on the PMSS Oregon to Panama arriving Jun. 21st, then by USMSS Georgia from Chagres Jun. 26th, the long letter describes the arrival of a gold miner at the San Francisco harbor, reads in part "…After a long and tiresome voyage of 34 days from Mazatlán, we arrived … about three o'clock yesterday morning. We sailed into the beautiful harbour where thousands of vessels can repose in perfect safety. Owning to the fact that our baggage had to go through Custom House, we were not able to get it to shore until today…There has been a very destructive fire in the city some 3 or 4 weeks ago which consumed almost three entire locks. The loss is estimated at 5 millions of dollars…We are now in a small Steamer and will leave for Stockton and the Southern diggins tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. It is a 24 hour run and the price of passage is $25.00. I suppose the Northern mines are the most productive, but the snow is just beginning to melt and they cant do much in the next 4 - 6 weeks. The Southern mines are more healthy than the Northern so we have concluded to go to the mines above Stockton and if we do well, stay there, if not go to the mountains after the waters run down. I feel like we shall make something, I am more encouraged since we got here and the prospects brighter than since I left home, I saw a lump of gold this morning in its original state…J.L Rushing"; some wear and edge faults, address leaf separate, Fine and interesting gold miner's letter.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

San Francisco, May 16, 1861, Republican State Convention. Printed 8.25"x11" broadside requesting the election of Delegates to a State Convention to be held June 18th, including listing number of delegates by county; some wear and folds, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

San Francisco, Cal Oct 8. Double-circle datestamp with matching fancy cogwheel cancels tie 5¢ brown (76) and 30¢ orange (71) together on 1866 cover to Switzerland at the 35¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, red printed International Hotel corner card, red "N.York 'Paid' Am. Pkt. Nov 3" exchange cds with matching "12" credit handstamp, blue "Aachen Franco" (11.17) framed handstamp and magenta "f 2" rating, reverse with Heidelberg-Basel (11.17) and Basel-Olten (11.18.66) backstamps, rating updated in red crayon to "6", Very Fine and attractive use.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

(San Francisco) Steamer "Paul Pry, June 19, 1865". Manuscript steamer endorsement cancels 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire to San Francisco Cal., Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE SAN FRANCISCO INLAND STEAMER "PAUL PRY" MARKING.

Several steamships worked the waters in and around San Francisco, Stockton and Sacramento. In addition to carrying their cargo, they occasionally took mail from passengers on board to place in the convenient post office as way letters. The "Paul Pry" was a 300-ton steamer in operation from 1859 to 1881. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

(San Francisco) Steamer "Princess, Sept. 13, 1866". Manuscript steamer endorsement cancels 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire to Suisun Cal., pencil note; top edge tear, accompanied by earlier Steamer Princess bill receipt, Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE SAN FRANCISCO INLAND STEAMER "PRINCESS" MARKING.

The "Princess" was a 230-ton steamer owned by California Steam Navigation Co. in operation from 1860 to 1870. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

"Sellon's Ranch, Cal, Aug 22, 1864". Manuscript postmark (YUB-1320) and matching manuscript strokes cancel 3¢ rose (65) on light buff cover to Longmeadow, Mass.; small perf flaw, Very Fine, One of only three recorded covers from Sellon's Ranch., ex-Polland.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Between July 1861 and July 1866, Sellon's Ranch served as a post office. The location is unknown, other than being listed in Yuba county, and serviced by Marysville. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Sonora mar 2/57". Manuscript postmark with "Paid" handstamp and ms. "$1.35" rating for nine-times the 15¢ rate on canvas cover to Wellesley, Canada West, endorsed "Daguerreotype" at upper left, red "United States / Paid 6" exchange office handstamp, Canada red manuscript "6/9" 6s 9d rating for the nine-times the 9 pence rate, Very Fine and rare use.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

"Spanish Flat, Cal Jan 13". Manuscript postmark and matching "Paid 6¢" rating on buff cover to Milan Oh. with illustrated "Mining Scene" design depicting Miner Panning for Gold with Long Tom in Background with imprint "J.M. Hutchings' California Envelope" at left and "Anthony & Baker SC" engraver's imprint at bottom right of design, original letter with matching "How the California Mines are Worked" (Baird 104) finely executed wood engraved letterhead on a folded 10.75x17" white double sheet, shows placer miners using the pan, rocker, long tom, and sluice, Anthony & Baker engravers and The San Francisco Wide West newspaper publisher, with lengthy three-page letter datelined "American Flat, Jany 4th 1855" from miner reading in part, "…Willie is mining away now, although he has been to school four months through the Summer and is as tough as a "grissly"…and thinks California is ahead of the World…there has not been one single death here since I came out. With the exception of an old Spaniard and 2 differ Indians who were killed in a fight with a hostile tribe that came through here…the American Indians burnt the bodies of their dead on the top of the hill opposite our house. the whites never interfere in any of their quarrels, and all the inconvenience we were put to was by the squaws running into our yards, to keep out of the way till the battle was over…Willie is nearly half Indian himself now, and talks with them and trades for bows and arrows until all the tribe knows him…when they come to the Bakery to trade the must always see the "Wheelans" before they will sell their gold dust or buy anything. Upon teh whole they are a harmful race of mortals…"; small cover edge flaws and wear at top, slight stain, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A REMARKABLE MATCHED PAIR OF MINING SCENE COVER AND LETTERSHEET FROM CALIFORNIA TO BACK EAST. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Sta. Barbara, Cal., "Feb 9, 1859". Bold rimless cds with manuscript date (SBA-1370), tying 3¢ dull red (26), perfs trimmed at top and bottom on embossed ladies cover to San Francisco Cal.; some faint cover toning, a Very Fine strike, ex-Polland.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

"Staples Ranch, Cal., Mar 18". Manuscript postmark (SAJ-2210) cancelling 1851 1¢ blue, type IV (9) and 1857 3¢ dull red (26) strip of three combination franking on small ladies cover to North Haverhill N.H., forwarded to Bristol with greenish blue "North Haverhill N.H., Apr 17" cds also tying 1¢ and manuscript "Fwd due 3" rating at left; accompanied by original 1851 newspaper clipping advertising Staples Ranch as a way stop for travelers, Extremely Fine and choice, a wonderful mixed issue 10¢ rate cover.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

There was a Post Office at Staples Ranch between 1851 and 1863. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Stockton Cal, Jun 26. Neat blue cds with matching bold "12½" oval rating handstamp on blue folded cover to John McDougal, Governor of California, Vallejo Cal., Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

By the Act of August 14, 1848, "letters conveyed from one to any other place in California: 12 ½ cents". This letter was mailed June 26, 1851, four days before the end of the rate. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Table Rock Cal. Mar 31. Gem strike of cds (SIE-1770) with matching framed "Paid" and "10" rating handstamps on blue cover to Rochester N.H., Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Tatham.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Uniontown H.B., Cal. Blue oval postmark (HUM-4870) with manuscript cancelled 1851 10¢ green type II (14), rich color, on cover to Leominster, Mass.; minor cover soiling and two tears at top, one affecting adhesive, F.-V.F., one of the rarest California postmarks.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1855 (c. May 21) New York N.Y. to San Francisco, Cal. Light buff cover with blue Shippers Line of California Packets, Earle & Weed, Agts. illustrated cameo showing full rigged ship bearing 10¢ green, type II (14), large margins to just in, tied by "New York May 21" ocean mail cds, docketed "Dated May 21, Rd. June 10, Inv. Swordfish"; missing part of top flap and central file fold, some toning and wear, Fine and scarce early use of the New York Ocean Mail cancel, ex-Chase.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This was sent on the regular contract route via Panama and contained an invoice for goods sent by the clipper ship "Swordfish" that went via Cape Horn. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Weaverville. Cal. "Apr 10". Oval postmark with red manuscript dating on buff cover with illustrated "Rocking the Cradle" miner's design depicting miners working with "Long Toms", Hutchings imprint at left, "Anthony & Baker SC" engraver's imprint at bottom of design, from the Abby Peirce correspondence to Boston Mass. bearing replacement 3¢ dull red (11A) horizontal pair for stamps removed, manuscript cancel in black, Very Fine appearance, a rare design, ex-Poland, Jarrett, with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Illustrated in Letters of Gold on p. 272. According to Kutz, this design was first used by miners from Georgia. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750