United States Postal History

**California Ephemera & Postal History**
LotNo.	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description
2001			(E. Clampus Vitus) E. Clampus Vitus Ritual. Small printed pamphlet detailing the initiation ritual for new members, circa late 1850's with salmon cover printed "E.C.V.", inscribed on inside front cover "No. 6 Morristown Lodge/John T. Mason", vert. fold & some wear, F.-V.F. Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. AN EARLY AND A UNIQUE PIECE OF CALIFORNIA AMERICANA. As more and more people came west, many fraternal organizations such as the Masons, Elks, and Oddfellows came along, too. They were apt to be clannish and somewhat disapproving of the rowdy miners they encountered, for they took themselves and their pomp and ceremony quite seriously. To make fun of the fancy sashes and bejewelled vests the others wore, the Clampers took to cutting tin can lids into odd shapes and pinning them to their own simple vests, most often worn over a bright red union suit. They called this "wearing your tin," a practice continued to this day, although badges, ribbons, and enameled pins have taken the place of tin can lids. Entertainment was a cherished commodity in the diggin's, for life was hard, often brutal, and just as often short. Rather than add to life's burdens, Brothers of E Clampus Vitus sought to lighten the load. They looked on the absurdity of life as something to be cherished. With tongues set firmly in cheek, they hailed each other as "Noble Grand Humbug," "Roisterous Iscutis," "Grand Imperturbable Hangman," "Clamps Vitrix," and "Royal Gyascutis." Flowery oratory, ribald songs, and practical jokes were much admired. Yet the group was a highly respected, benevolent organization. For example, when a miner fell ill or died, the group would collect food, money and other items, take them to the widow and any orphans who had been left behind, and comfort them - especially the widow. Numerous newspaper accounts attest to the Brothers' generosity, such as the time when they braved swollen rivers, snowstorms, and treacherous trails to deliver Christmas gifts to some poor unfortunates who otherwise would have had nothing. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $2,000-3,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
2002			Happy New Year, 1857, To All At Home. Magnificent California Lettersheet in blue with metallic gold dust highlight featuring the California State Seal at center, "T.C. Boyd, San Francisco" at bottom of design and "Noisy Carrier's Book & Stationery Co., Battery St. and Long Wharf, S.F." imprint below, with letter datelined "Wednesday night, Dec 3, 1856" with interesting content regarding the lettersheet, Presidential election and the mails…"I did not intend to write you this mail, but for the sake of wishing you a Happy New Year. I will drop you a few lines. The Atlantic Mail just came up to night and is being sorted now. The mail for the Atlantic closes at 8 Oclock. A friend presented me with this engraved sheet I thought I would send it to you."…"I have not seen the New York papers yet, but a Telegraph despatch says that Buchanan is Elected President. I am sorry about that. I was in hope that Fremont would get it."; with original cover to Fallsburgh, N.Y. franked with large margin 1851, 10¢ green, type III (15) tied by manuscript cancels, partial red "Grass Valley, Cal., Dec 4" cds at upper left; light cover edge wear with some slight staining at upper right edge slightly affecting stamp, Very Fine. Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000. A SPLENDID USAGE OF THE NOISY CARRIER'S 1857 "HAPPY NEW YEAR" LETTERSHEET - ONE OF TWO KNOWN USED EXAMPLES OF THIS ICONIC CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. $3,000-4,000 SOLD for $3,250.00 Will close during Public Auction
2003			Mining Scene. Illustrated miner's 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, on cover to Vermont with blue "Sutter Creek, Cal." double circle postmark & double oval "Paid" handstamp; trivial corner mends at left, Very Fine, one of the finer examples of this popular and scarce illustrated mining design. Estimate; $750 - 1,000. (Image1)	Est. $750-1,000 SOLD for $1,700.00 Will close during Public Auction
2004		11A	Grass Valley, Cal., May 24 (Nevada). Bold cds tying 1851, 3¢ dull red, horizontal pair on cover to Scotland with manuscript "Due 23"(¢) to make up the correct 29¢ West Coast rate, handstamped with scarce large size "1(sh)/2½ (d)" due marking, reverse with green "Art. 5/BR Pkt." accountancy handstamp and 1853 receiving cds, tiny cover tear at top and flap missing, Very Fine and scarce, cover featured in article by W. Hubbard in Feb '81 Chronicle, ex-Kramer. Scott No. 11A; Estimate $500 - 750. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 11A] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $425.00 Will close during Public Auction
2005			"Lake Bigler Cal, May 18/63" (El Dorado). Manuscript postmark at left and matching manuscript cancels 10¢ green (68), rich color, on light buff cover to Boston Mass.; 10¢ nicked at top, Very Fine, One of the most desirable postmarks of California. Estimate; $500 - 750. Nevada collectors believe this cover was sent from what is today's Glenbook, Nev. area. In 1861, Lake Bigler, Lumber Co. was established there to furnish lumber to the Comstock Lode mines. In 1863, the Lake Bigler Toll road was completed at nearby King's Canyon to Friday's Station, Nevada Territory. John Bigler, California's Third Governor 1852-1858, led a rescue party into Lake Valley in the winter of 1852 to bring out a snowbound group of emigrants. The lake was called "Bigler" in his honor. The Washoe Indian "Tahoe", meaning deep or blue water became popular in the late 1860s and 1870s. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $900.00 Will close during Public Auction
2006			Los Angeles, Cal. - Judge Benjamin Hayes Correspondence (Los Angeles). 4 folded lengthy letters from 1850-51 written to friend (1st letter) and wife in Liberty, Mo. during his early his career as an attorney and judge in Los Angeles; first 3-page letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, May 29th, 1850" entered the mails with "San Diego, Cal., Jun 4" cds, to St. Louis and forwarded to Liberty with red "St. Louis, Mo., Jul 18" cds and manuscript "40" & "for 5/45" total rate, letter tells of arrival to Los Angeles and his election…I left home Sept 10th - reached this place Feb 3d. At the election of April 1st was elected County Attorney…sometimes I give sound decisions, probably sometimes, certainly, unsound ones, for I had a fellow whipped the other day, beyond doubt contrary to Mexican law. Justice seems to require it., with other interesting details regarding the legal system in Los Angeles, sending for his letters in San Francisco, publication comprehending the best road from Santa Fe to the California mines, etc., second 3-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, June 1st, 1850" entered the mails with red New - York, 10cts, Jul 8 integral rate cds, letter regarding his busy practice and lamenting over not having his wife in Los Angeles with him, third 2-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, Jany 20th, 1851" with orange-red "San Francisco, Cal., Feb 1" cds and matching "40" rate handstamp, letter regarding sending his wife out to Los Angeles and taking her to places beyond…There is a pretty little island just opposite our port (Santa Catalina)…A short sail, upon a quiet sea, would take us to Lima or the Sandwich Islands, fourth 7-page folded letter datelined "City of Los Angeles, Feby 21th, 1851" regarding the securing of a draft in San Francisco to be sent out to his wife by steamer soon for her trip out, takes of the troublesome crossing of the Isthmus, various things to bring on trip out, mentions San Pedro "the port of Los Angeles", various steamer sailings including the Panama and the Constitution, etc.; some cover edge staining and edge wear, F.-V.F. overall. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. The rush to mine gold from the hills of northern California brought many professionals to the new territory in addition to the prospectors. Benjamin Hayes was a lawyer living in Missouri in 1849 when he decided to make the overland journey to California. There he became a leader of the Los Angeles bar. His wife, Emily, eventually made the trip out to Los Angeles in 1851. As Catholics living in Southern California, the Hayeses boasted a wide circle of friends among their Hispanic neighbors and a special interest in the Missions and Mission Indians. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3) (Image4)	Est. $1,500-2,000 SOLD for $3,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2007		7	Sacramento City, Cal., Feb 6, 1857 (Sacramento). Circular postmark (Williams SAC-2560) tying 1851 1¢ blue, horiz. strip of 3 (position 81-83R2) on cover to Dry Creek P.O., with original enclosure and pencil notations by S. Ashbrook, strip with large margins, light crease between second and third stamp, Extremely Fine, a scarce usage of the 1¢ 1851 issue in California, ex-Polland, plated and signed by Ashbrook. Scott No. 7; Estimate $400 - 600. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 7] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $400-600 SOLD for $325.00 Will close during Public Auction
2008		10	San Francisco, Cal. (San Francisco). Bold cds tying horiz. pair of 1851 3¢ orange brown (large margins to just touched at right) on 1852 folded cover datelined "San Diego" addressed to New York, pencil "Due 12 + 2 = 14¢" rate (most unusual as we cannot explain the 12¢ due portion), Very Fine and attractive. Scott No. 10; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 10] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $300-400 SOLD for $400.00 Will close during Public Auction
2009		U.S. 78	(San Francisco) Victoria Vancouver Island, Post Office, Paid. Blue oval frank handstamp on 1866 cover to Glasgow, Scotland, additionally franked with U.S. 1862, 24¢ lilac (small margin tear) tied by cogwheel handstamp with matching "San Francisco, Cal., Feb 14" cds alongside, red "N. York Br. Pkt., Paid 19, Mar 13" exchange cds and receiving backstamp, Very Fine. Scott No. U.S. 78; Estimate $750 - 1,000. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States U.S. 78] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $750-1,000 SOLD for $900.00 Will close during Public Auction
2010		7	San Francisco, Cal. (San Francisco). Neat cds tying 1851 1¢ blue, type II (slightly cut in) on folded cover to Rhode Island with manuscript "Due 9" rate to make up the 10¢ transcontinental rate, Very Fine and rare, reported to be a unique usage, ex-Kramer. Scott No. 7; Estimate $500 - 750. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 7] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $850.00 Will close during Public Auction
2011			Santa Barbara, Cal. (Santa Barbara). Incoming 1847 cover from Hartford, Ct. with manuscript endorsement on flap "Forwarded by Your Obedient Servant/Geo R. Ward/New York Oct. 14, 1847" with descriptive address, "William G. Dana Esq./Santa-Barbara/Southern part of Upper California/Below Monterey & about Lat. 34°", cover with original contents, Very Fine, a wonderful early California pre-statehood item. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. William Goodwin Dana (May 5, 1797 - Feb 11, 1858) was born in Boston. Captain Dana went to sea early in life and arrived in Santa Barbara in 1825. He married Maria Josefa Carrillo, daughter of Carlos Antonio Carrillo in 1828. In 1836, Dana was alcalde of Santa Barbara. Dana was granted Rancho Nipomo in 1837. The family moved to Nipomo in 1839. Dana died at Nipomo in 1858. Rancho Nipomo was a 37,888-acre (153.33 km2) Mexican land grant in present day San Luis Obispo County, California given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to William Goodwin Dana. The grant encompassed present day Nipomo. (Image1)	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $4,250.00 Will close during Public Auction

**Western Mail Routes**
LotNo.	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description
2012			(Mail Routes) Bottom of Platte River, Near Fort Laramie, May 8th, 1850. Dateline on lengthy three-page letter written on the trail to California by Thomas J. Patten, accompanied by original buff cover addressed to Clay Furnace Pa. with "Fort Leavenworth, Mo. Jun 10" cds and "10" cent rating handstamp, letter reads in part "I am now setting on my foot leaning over my trunk 650 miles from the frontier line of Missouri with my fingers as stiff as pokers and my head as thick as a beetle trying to fulfill my promise to you. We crossed the Missouri on the 10th of April and traveled 300 miles to Fort Kearney by the 24th of the same month. The roads are fine that far much better than can be produced in Pennsylvania for the same distance - it runs much of the way on the dividing ridge between the Platte and Kanzas rivers and there is not a root or a stone the size of a hen's egg on the way. The road comes to the Platte River 20 miles below Fort Kearney and follows it to its source in the Rocky mountains which is from 250 to 300 [miles] above this. We shall leave here in that direction tomorrow at 11 o'clock…We saw no Buffalo until we had reached Little Blue River and but few until we passed Kearney, but from there two hundred miles we saw any amount. For days they would not be out of our sight…Himrod and the doctor were riding ahead & discovered them on the flats. Himrod got up near enough to shoot before they started but did not kill. They then gave chase and by the time they got to the bluffs Himrod overtook them and killed one the first fire which was a great feat & excited him to no small degree. I was one mile or more behind and did not see the beginning of the sport but came up in time to help kill the second one which stood about six shots, three of which I gave him. They were very large ones, the one I helped to kill I think would have weighed 1000 lbs had he been in good order but they were very poor. We tried a little of the meat but it tasted a little too much like the beef of an old bull to be very palatable; it is fine sport but hard on horses and mine is too good to use up in that way…We have had no grass except old grass until within about a week, it is now tolerable good…I have seen no hard times on the plains, nothing to disturb me except the continual winds which chap my hands crack my lips skin my nose and blows my eyes full of sand, blows through my clothes overcoat and all, blows ashes in our victuals and them ashes sometimes made from Buffalo dung as we have had to use that article for fuel about one third of the time and it is far better for our use than green cottonwood. The country from the Missouri about two hundred [miles] is very fine with one exception, that is the lack of timber which is very scarce. There is not as much in 500 miles as there is on one acre of heavy timbered land. The country along the Platte above Fort Kearney is too poor for civilized inhabitants. The Platte is a peculiar stream, very wide and shallow, from ½ to 2 miles wide and not over a foot deep and the bottom a bed of loose sand. Where we crossed the south fork one hundred and fifty miles below this it was near ½ mile wide and in no place 1 foot deep. 100 miles below this we first saw the spires of the Rocky Mountains. Since that the country has been more picturesque and pleasant…Two days ago for the first [time] we saw the snow capped peaks at a distance of 110 miles. Laramie's Peak is in our view and as white as our hills in January. It is 60 miles distant from us now, we pass near its base. It is thought here that we will have a good quantity of snow in going through the pass of the mountains as the mail has not come through from Fort Hall since last November. We shall try it soon - we have not yet decided what route we shall take from here, but likely by Salt Lake…"; accompanied by another Oct. 14th 1850 Sacramento City Cal. letter from same correspondence with "Sacramento, Cal. '40' Oct 14" integral-rate cds, letter concerns Himrod's illness, a Very Fine trail letter. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3)	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $2,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2013			(Mail Routes) Jackass Route. "Sand Hill, Mo, Ap 3" manuscript postmark and 1857 3¢ dull red with pen cancels on cover to French Camp, California, "By the overland mail via fort yuma" sender's endorsement, "Due 7" handstamp to make up the transcontinental rate; tear and ink stain at right, edge tear at bottom, Very Fine. Estimate; $500 - 750. Carried on the Southern Overland Route (from San Antonio to San Diego on the "Jackass" route under the Birch contract if 1858, which is most likely given the reference to Fort Yuma, and from Saint Louis via Los Angeles to San Francisco on the "Oxbow" route under the Butterfield contract if 1860. (Image1)	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $1,200.00 Will close during Public Auction
2014		35	(Mail Routes) Overland, Via Los Angeles. Illustrated six-horse stagecoach design with "Published by Randal & Co., Marysville" imprint below, on fresh yellow cover to Knightstown, Ind. franked with 1857, 10¢ green, type V tied by blue waffle grid handstamp, matching "Marysville, Cal., Dec 26" cds, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Polland, Grunin & Jarrett, with 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 35; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL OF THIS "OVERLAND VIA LOS ANGELES" ILLUSTRATED STAGECOACH DESIGN ON COVER. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 35] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $3,000-4,000 SOLD for $4,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2015			(Mail Routes) Panama & San Francisco, May 7th. Manuscript marking and "40" rate applied by temporary agent R. J. Laurensen on folded cover from San Francisco to New York City street address, sender's sailing designation "Steamer Panama 1st May" (1850); some wear & staining, Very Fine, this is the earliest Panama & San Francisco Steam Ship marking known and only one of two recorded. pictured, described and discussed in detail in Gold Rush Mail Agents to California and Their Postal Markings, 1849-1852 by Theron Wierenga, 1987. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT COVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA MAILS. THIS IS ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE MANUSCRIPT "PANAMA & SAN FRANCISCO" ROUTE AGENT'S MARKING. This cover was carried by PMSS Panama on May 1, 1850, connecting with USMSS Georgia at Charges. This was the only trip handled by route agent R. J. Laurensen, who applied the manuscript postmark in the absence of a date stamping device. (Image1)	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $2,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2016			(Mail Routes) "Steam Acapulco." and "Steam Panama." . Two partially off at top oval "Steam Acapulco" steamship marks over "Steam Panama" handstamp, on ca. 1870 cover to Plymouth, Mass., this proves these "Steam" handstamps were applied in San Francisco not in the consular offices, "San Francisco, Cal., Aug 14" cds (Williams SAF-810) with "3" due marking, endorsed "From U.S.C. Survey, Steamer Hassler" at lower left, a concession was given to Naval personnel to send letters due which waived the ship captain's fee of 2¢ therefore a rate of 3¢ normal postage if on a federally controlled ship, Very Fine. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. THIS DUAL HANDSTAMP USAGE IS UNIQUE BASED ON THE MEYER SURVEY. Another view of the rating on this cover is that it was not in a Federally controlled ship (this mail was carried on Pacific Steamship Company ships) and should have carried the normal 10¢ rate. (Image1)	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $1,700.00 Will close during Public Auction
2017			(Mail Routes) Steam Panama. Type 1 oval handstamp and "San Francisco, Cal., 10, Oct 25" integral rate cds (Williams SAF-380) on folded letter sheet to San Francisco, Cal., docketed "San Salvador, 21 Sptre 69"; horiz file fold through postmarks, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)	Est. $300-400 SOLD for $250.00 Will close during Public Auction
2018		11A	(Mail Routes) Via Nicaragua, Ahead of the Mails. Bold sharp strike of boxed handstamp on cover to Swan's Island, Me., franked with 1852, 3¢ brownish carmine, horizontal pair canceled by "Steam Ship" two line handstamp upon arrival in New York, reverse with clear full strike of blue "Supplied from, J.W. Sullivan's Newspaper Office, Next Door to the Post Office, Kearney St., San Francisco." oval handstamp; cover with a few light tone spots and left stamp with tiny tear at top, still a Very Fine and choice letterbag operator usage, ex-White, Emerson, Knapp & Grunin, with 1989 R.P.S. certificate. Scott No. 11A; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. (Image1) (Image2) Get Market Data for [United States 11A] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $1,500-2,000 SOLD for $2,800.00 Will close during Public Auction
2019		U14	(Mail Routes) Via Nicaragua, Ahead of the Mails, Leland. Exceptional strike of blue box handstamp on 1853, 6¢ Nesbitt entire to Churchville, N.Y., with additional manuscript "Via Nicaragua" routing endorsement at lower left, entered the mails with indicia canceled by bold "New York, Ship, Dec 15" cds, Extremely Fine and choice, illustrated in Coburn's Letters of Gold (page 113), ex-Barkhausen, Baker, Haas & Jarrett. Scott No. U14; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. ONE OF FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE LELAND "VIA NICARAGUA" LETTERBAG OPERATOR MARKING. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States U14] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $6,750.00 Will close during Public Auction
2020		11A	(Mail Routes) Via Nicaragua, In Advance of the Mails. Exceptional strike of double line oval handstamp on fresh cover to Lynchburg, Va., with additional manuscript "pr Steamer Pacific, via Nicaragua" endorsement at lower left, franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red, horizontal pair (small scuff in left stamp) tied by "New York, Oct 27" cds, Extremely Fine, illustrated in Coburn's Letters of Gold (page 93) and in the Chronicle (no. 220, page 319), ex-Jessup, Polland, Oakley, Salzer & Jarrett. Scott No. 11A; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. A WONDERFUL STRIKE OF ONE OF THE RAREST "VIA NICARAGUA" MARKINGS. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States 11A] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census	Est. $2,000-3,000 SOLD for $24,000.00 Will close during Public Auction