United States Postal History continued...
Early Western Postal History continued...
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
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| 2051 |
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 (Monterey) "Harbor of Monterey, California, January 27, 1847". Dateline on folded letter signed by Capt. Christopher Quarles Tompkins, 3rd Artillery to Genl. Roger Jones Adj. Genl. U.S. Army, Washington D.C., entered
mails with red "New-York 'Ship 7cts' Apr 22" cds with due rating crossed out as this was endorsed official mail, the report states "…shall report to Brig. Genl. Kearney who is reported to be at the Pueblo de Los Angeles" and remarks
"Left New-York July 14th 1846 - arrvd Monterey 27 Jany. - voyage of 6 mos 13 days - extraordinary length" which refers to his voyage on the USS Lexington that included some famous passengers Lt. Henry Hallack, Lt. Edward Ord and William
Tecumseh Sherman, prior to arriving in Monterey, January 12th 1847, she landed a party at San Blas, Nayarit, and captured several enemy guns, and during the war operated along the West Coast transporting troops and assisting in the blockade, Very
Fine, ex-J. David Baker.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
A WONDERFUL EARLY MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR MILITARY LETTER FROM THE HARBOR OF MONTEREY.
The letter left Monterey on January 28 aboard the sloop-of-war USS Dale,
which was taking its captain, Commander McKean, to Panama so that he could return to the United States because of ill health. It arrived at Panama City on March 15, where McKean joined forces with Lt. Gray and Major Emory, who were carrying
dispatches to the United States from Commodore Stockton and General Kearny, respectively. The three crossed the Isthmus to Chagres on the east coast, carrying this letter. The HMS Clyde then carried them from Chagres (departed March 28) to
Jamaica on April 1, where they transferred to the HMS Dee (departed Jamaica on April 3 and arrived in Havana on April 10). The ship Globe then took the letter to New York, where it arrived on April 21, 1847 and was rated for seven cents
postage due including a two cents ship fee. Upon arrival at Washington it was recognized that the recipient was entitled to receive mail free of postage and the seven cents postage due was crossed out.nnIllustrated: "Mails of the
Westward Expansion, 1803 to 1861" by Walske and Frajola as fig. 4-22 on page 70.nn
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Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2052 |
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 "Monterey California, April 27th 1847". Dateline on Autograph Letter Signed by "S.W. Kearny, Brig. General and Gov. of California" to John Burton, Alcalde of Pueblo de San Jose, in the letter Kearny decrees that
Burton stay all proceedings in the case of Gabriel Castro very scarce. Antonio Hermano as Burton had defied his early decree and "given judgment & issued an execution to be levied by a Sheriff against various parties of the Property of the
Defendant", Very Fine, ex-J. Drew.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.
A RARE GEN. KEARNY SIGNED LETTER AS GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA.
Gen. S.W. Kearny was Governor of California from March 1, 1847 to May 31, 1847, when Col. R.C.
Mason was appointed Governor by Kearny.nn
Complete images:
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Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2053 |
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 Fort Leavenworth, Mo. Jul 10. Postmark with manuscript "10" rate on folded cover to Illinois, letter sent by Pvt. Uriah Thomas 1st Reg. Illinois Vols and datelined "Fort Leavenworth July 9th
1847", letter with interesting contents and a wonderful handdrawn Map of Fort Leavenworth in green and blue ink with hand notations, some light aging, Very Fine and attractive, a historic item.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
Complete images:
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(4.7MB). (Image1) (Image2)
|
Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2054 |
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 Camp near old Camp Calhoun New Mexico, September 10, 1847. Manuscript dateline on folded cover to Missouri, postmarked "Independence, Mo. Nov. 4" cds with manuscript "10" rate, carried eastbound by military courier
through unorganized territory beyond the boundary of the United States up the Santa Fe Trail, entered the mails to St. Genevieve, Missouri, some age toning & edge wear, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $500 - 750.
A fascinating
letter from Lieut. John Boardman, Comp. 75, Santa Fe Battalion, Missouri Vols. to his brother at St. Genevieve, Missouri. nnLetter reads in large part:nnWe are once again on our way to the Navajo lands. I visited our old camp and the graveyard of the
Volunteers. I found the widow of old Sandra living there she treated me very kindly and set before me some delicious grapes from the those vines we used to run through in going for water. The men are all in good spirits with the exception of making
themselves rich by the stock we will take from the Indians.nnWe have three companies with us and 12 men from the artillery with one piece of Howitzer the whole commanded by a Major Walker we intend to remain among the Indians two months. We are
living very well at present. Plenty of watermelons, cantaloupes, grapes, peaches, green corn, onions, etc. The Spaniards have put in very large crops of corn down here and it looks very fine.nn
Complete images:
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Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2055 |
|
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 Mexican-American War Folded Letter, Datelined Companie "E" 1st Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, September th 30, 1847. Folded cover to Belleville, Ill. with notation "St. Clair County from the Army" with red
"STEAM 10" handstamp of St. Louis, letter with excellent contents which includes, I have come across some of your old chums John Gray and Thomas Short. We are here together in Santa Fe…Thee are 25 hundred volunteer men here at this time.
There are a good many of them ordered. Of course Newbe (Colonel Edward W. B. Newby) is not thought more of than a dog. There is not a man that likes him here. He was shot at 7 times by his own men and he was obliged to get in the wagon and ride.,
plus much more, please see our website for full transcription, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
AN OUTSTANDING COVER CARRIED BY MILITARY EXPRESS UP THE SANTA FE TRAIL TO THE MISSOURI RIVER TO ST. LOUIS WHERE IT WAS PLACED ABOARD
A STEAMBOAT.
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PDF (7.0MB). (Image1)
|
Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2056 |
|
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 From U.S.A., Santa Fe. Manuscript endorsement at bottom left on folded letter datelined "Santa Fe, New Mexico Jan. 16", 1848 to Illinois, cancelled by "Fort Leavenwoth, Mo." with manuscript Mar. 4 (1848) date,
addressed to Lebanon, Illinois with manuscript "10" rate, lengthy letter with fascinating military contents which includes, Our Reg. is still cooped up here in this place having nothing to do but drill! drill! I have no news of importance to
communicate for we have no prospect of any fighting, for all the enemy that could be mustered in N.M. has lately been attacked and beaten. Last several months a Mexican marauder by the name of Cortes has been prowling through the country with about
10 men. On the 22nd of Nov. Capt. Armstrong of the Mo Battalion found out his whereabouts and attacked him with 40 men, took several horses, three tents and camp equipage putting them all to flight., plus much more, please see our
website for full transcription, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
A REMARKABLE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR LETTER FROM AN ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER IN NEW MEXICO. SOLDIER LETTERS FROM ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVED IN THE "ARMY OF THE WEST" ARE
RARE AS SO FEW MEN SERVED IN THESE REGIMENTS.
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Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2057 |
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 (Monterey) 1848 (Feb. 9) Monterey Cal, Governor's Appointment of Alcalde of San Jose. Blue Autograph Letter Signed by "R.W. Mason, Col. 1st Dragoons, Gov. of California" reading "Know all men by these
Present, That I, Richard B. Mason, Colonel 1st Regiment of Dragoons United States Army and Governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Dolores Pacheco 2nd Alcalde for and in the jurisdiction of the Pueblo de San
Jose Upper California. Done at Monterey the Capital of California, this 9th day of February A.D. 1848 and the 72nd year of the Independence of the United States, R.B. Mason, Col. 1st Dragoons, Gov of California", red wax seal of Headquarters,
First Dragoons, Very Fine, ex-J. Drew.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
Complete images:
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|
Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
State Postal History - Arizona
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
|
| 2058 |
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 (Arizona) La Paz (AT), 28/6 66 (Yuma). Manuscript postmark (Meyer 1, rarity 7) and matching pen strokes cancel 3¢ rose (65) on 1866 cover to Cincinnati Oh., Very Fine and choice early use from La
Paz.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2059 |
|
963-S-1 |
 (Arizona) Terminus, Ariz., Aug 11 (Southern Pacific Railroad). Purple duplex with four-rings cancel on 1¢ postal card (UX5) datelined "Casa Grande 8/11.79" to Tucson, Arizona Territory, with message
reading…Your funds for payment R.R. charges are nearly exhausted - Pls remit to cover charges on freight to arrive., Extremely Fine, a choice use of the Terminus, Ariz. railroad marking from Maricopa, Arizona Territory. (Rarity
IX).
Towle No. 963-S-1; Estimate $200 - 300.
Sent by David Neahr of Yuma, the freight contractor employed by the railroad constructor to bring materials from the port of Yuma to the rail head. Addressed to Lionel M. Jacob, President of
the Pima County Bank. (Image1)
Get Market Data for [United States 963-S-1] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
State Postal History - Colorado
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
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| 2060 |
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 Arapahoe, K.T., Dec 5th 1859. Dateline on letter (no cover) from miner, interesting contents about mining camp life, letter concludes with a request to respond "Direct to Denver, Kansas Territory", Very
Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
Arapahoe's post office did not open until the following month so this letter presumably carried by express and entered the mails elsewhere. The letter reads in large part:nn"I take this opportunity to
drop a few lines informing you of my whereabouts and the prospect in this place. My home in the mountains and the prospect is good for getting gold, but in consequences of our getting here later in the season and being greenhorns to mining, we have
not done very well. But I think we have become pretty well initiated. There is plenty of gold here that is true and we meant to have our share if hard labor will procure it we have some good claims they are in the mountains both quartz and gulch
claims.nnThe weather is very pleasant in the valley. There is some snow in the mountains, but not enough to hinder working quartz claims. The calculation is that we should be able to work pretty much all winter, which will set us pretty well ahead in
the Spring. I should like to send a amount do you if I could see it safe through but there is a great risk. If you will risk on half, I will send it, otherwise as soon as there is a United States mail established I will send it
through…"nn
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(4.2MB). (Image1)
|
Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2061 |
|
|
 Auraria K.T. Aug. 2 1859. Bold strike of two line postmark on cover to Pennsylvania with manuscript "Paid 3" rate, cover forwarded to Trenton, N.J. with Williamsport, Pa. cds and manuscript "Ford 3", docketed at left,
"Wants me to come to the Mining Region", couple mended flap tears on reverse, Extremely Fine and rare.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.
AN OUTSTANDING STRIKE OF THIS RARE EARLY COLORADO MARKING, WHICH MAY WELL BE THE FINEST RECORDED.
On October 3, 1858, a group of prospectors arrived from Georgia led by. Green Russell. They soon established the town site of Auraria located on the south bank of Cherry Creek. Henry Allen surveyed the Auraria town site and was elected the
first president. Just one month later a group arrived from Kansas led by William Larimer established Denver City located on higher ground above the river, and became the trading center of the area later merging with Auraria.nn
Complete
images:
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Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2062 |
|
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 Auraria K.T. June 21st 59. Manuscript postmark on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Nashua, New Hampshire, light toning, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
This cover was carried on the
second eastbound contract trip by the Leavenworth & Pikes Peak Company which departed June 22 and is the only cover known from that trip, an important item of Colorado postal history.nn
Complete images:
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Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2063 |
|
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 Auraria K.T. Aug. 2 1859. Manuscript postmark with matching "Paid" at right on cover to Illinois, "Answered, Jan. 18th, 1861" docketing; cover slightly reduced at right with small opening tear in bottom right corner,
otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
THE EARLIEST OF FOUR RECORDED MANUSCRIPT POSTMARKS FROM BOULDER, NEBRASKA TERRITORY (SEE THE CENSUS IN CHARLES W. WINTER'S NEBRASKA POSTAL HISTORY).
Twenty five miles to the
northwest of Auraria and barely across line into Nebraska Territory, Boulder came into existence as an entry point to the mountains and the newly discovered gold mines. Of the seven post offices that where authorized in the portion of Nebraska
Territory that eventually became a part of Colorado, postmarks are only known from Boulder. For administrative purposes the Boulder Post Office appears as being part of Kansas Territory.nn
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Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2064 |
|
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 Canon City, Col., Jan 28/68. Manuscript postmark on cover to Springfield, Mass., franked with 1867, 3¢ red, F. grill (94) just tied by manuscript; cover slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, an
unusual late manuscript postmark usage from Canon City.
Estimate; $100 - 150. (Image1)
|
Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2065 |
|
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 Denver City K.T., Sep 6 1860 "Tombstone" Postmark. With Roman style (serifed) type postmark on cover to New York, handstamped straight line "Paid" shows payment in cash, flap tear which just extends onto front, Very
Fine and attractive, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book, ex-Chase.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
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or Download PDF (875KB). (Image1)
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Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2066 |
|
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 "Fort Garland, New Mexico, Sept 14 1860". Docketing of recipient on fresh cover to Bristol, R.I., franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red, two singles slightly overlapping and tied by "Fernando de Taos, N.M., Sep
19" cds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
A portion of New Mexico Territory was included in the new Colorado Territory with the first four post offices (Conejos, Fort Garland, Huerfano and San Luis) all established on
February 25, 1862. In 1860, with no official United States post offices and mail service at Fort Garland, mailed was carried by Military Courier. This letter was taken to and entered the U.S. Mail at Fernando de Taos, N.M.nn
Complete
images:
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|
Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2067 |
() |
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 To Fort Massachusetts (later Colorado Territory). Much traveled 1856 cover front from Canada, addressed to "Captain Andrew M. Bowman, 3rd Infantry, Fort Stanton New Mexico or elsewhere", nearly four months in
transit to Albuquerque (the post office serving Fort Stanton) where it was remailed March 24, 1857 to Capt. Bowman's new duty station at Fort Massachusetts, some minor edge wear and soiling, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $500 - 750.
Originally marked as paid at Montreal, the paid markings were obliterated by target cancels and the cover re-rated unpaid "6" (pence = 10¢ U.S., the under 3000 mile rate). As Fort Massachusetts had no post office, the letter was
carried by military courier for the last part of its journey.nn
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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$325.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2068 |
|
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 Golden Gate, Dec. 9th. Manuscript postmark on 1861 cover to Michigan franked with 1861 3¢ rose with matching manuscript cancel, included is a wonderful original enclosure which gives details of an early
prize fight and a horse thief and his subsequent hanging, along with the usual economics, weather and health data, cover with slight corner wear, Very Fine, One of the most important Colorado covers.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
This small post office opened in Kansas Territory in 1860 and closed in August 1863. Only five covers are known, all from the same correspondence.nn
Complete images:
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|
Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2069 |
|
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 Mountain City K.T., Sept. 22. 1860 manuscript postmark on uncancelled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to Kensington, Conn., indicia showing second albino impression; cover with slight rough opening at right,
otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
By 1860, prospectors had proven the existence of profitable deposits of gold and settlement was rapidly fanning out westward into the mountains. Thirty miles to the west of Denver
City, placer and lode mining on the headwaters of Clear Creek led to the establishment of post offices at Mountain City and Missouri City. This mining camp was established in Gregory Diggings in 1859. The post office opened January 17,
1860.nn
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(1.2MB). (Image1)
|
Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2070 |
|
286 |
 Pueblo, Colo., Jan 27, 1899. Flag machine cancel tying 2¢ Trans-Miss on cover to New York, with attractive illustrated J.J. Rice, Pueblo, Colo, Saloon/Emporium corner card scene, reverse with New York
arrival, Very Fine.
Scott No. 286; Estimate $100 - 150. (Image1)
Get Market Data for [United States 286] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
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