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Quick Navigation by Category  The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal (204)   |  United States (550)   | 
 

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The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal History continued...

Western Mail Routes - Via Panama & Via Tehauntepec continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
761       imageVia Panama, steamship illustration with imprint of "Geo. H. Bell, Stationer, 153 Montgomery St. San Francisco". On cover postmarked "San Francisco Cal. Apr 20" black cds tying 1857 10¢ green (35) to Newark New Jersey, with addressee's name crossed out; cover w minor scuffs, cover opened on two sides, some glue adhesion on verso, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The December, 2020 issue of Western Express contained an article by David D'Alessandris regarding the "Via Panama" propaganda covers. His census records ten of this particular type (A-1) imprinted covers. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
762       imageVia Tehauntepec. Manuscript routing directive on yellow cover to Washington, D.C. originating with "Weaverville, Cal. Jan 1" [1859] black cds and matching arced "Paid 10" rate handstamp, Very Fine and choice, illustrated in Ashbrook Volume 2, page 254.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

In October 1858, a route was contracted as 8162 from San Francisco to New Orleans using a mixed steamboat and overland route via the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico. Contracted at $250,000 for 12 months with twice a month service. The course of the route was by steamboat to either Acapulco or Salina Cruz, then overland by mule to Suchile, then by river boat to Minatitlan on the Caotzacoalcos River and then by steamboat to New Orleans, La. The route was little used as the section over the mountain range by mule created a long transit time. The total revenue collected for the route was just $5,276.66 and the route was not renewed in 1859. From October 1858 to March 1859, the "Quaker City" was used on the New Orleans to Minatitlan portion of the route. A total of 25 covers endorsed as going "Via Tehuantepec" are recorded in the census. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$450.00
Will close during Public Auction
763       imageVia Tehuantepec. Manuscript endorsement at upper left of 1853-55 10¢ Nesbitt entire, entered the mails with postmark "New Orleans La Jan 23, 1859", "Steamship" postmark cancels indicium; written by Edwin Stanton (Secretary of War under Lincoln) to his wife in Washington DC; some light wear & aging, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A SCARCE "VIA TEHUANTEPEC" COVER CARRIED FROM CALIFORNIA, VIA NEW ORLEANS, AND ON TO WASHINGTON D.C. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
Ocean Mail
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
764       imageAcapulco, Old Mexico January 19-[18]52. Dateline on letter contained within brown cover with "Steam Ship 20" black handstamp on entry into U.S. (New York) addressed to Springfield, Vermont, contents, read, in part, "…I left New York Dec 20-arrived at Kingston, Jamaica on the 30-left on the 31-arrived at Navy Bay January 8-52-arrived at Panama on the 6 & left on the 12-arrived at this place this morning-leave tonight. Calculate to arrive in California in 9 days. This place is 1500 miles from Panama, 3000 from the city of Mexico, 2000 from California. We have 500 passengers aboard, some sick and died this morning…Henry Whitcomb", cover missing most of backflap, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
765       imageAcapulco, Consulate USA. blue circular eagle cachet handstamp on 1861 cover to New York with manuscript "40" rate and "per U.S.S. War Cyane Via Acapulco" with notation on verso "Received May 25th, Answered 1861"; heavy linen lined cover which must have held several lettersheets to warrant the 40 cent rate in 1861, opened top and left, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The USS "Cyane" was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War. It was used on the coasts of North and South America until its retirement in 1871. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
766       imageAcapulco Agency of P.M.S.S. Co April 6, 1866 (Pacific Mail Steamship Company). Manuscript endorsement on 1864 3¢ pink entire (U58) addressed to New York City, postmarked on arrival by "New York City Apr 20" cds with fancy concentric boxes killer on indicium, included is original enclosure datelined Acapulco [Mexico] April 3rd, 1866 with contents which read, in part, "…I got no tidings of the book the newspaper mail does not reach Benicia until one day after letter mail. I had told them not to send any more to me as I was going up and but for your Envelope being in mourning it would have been kept. Some of the Engineers fetched it for me. I go up on the steamer of 26 this month…Andw J. Glover", Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (5.4MB). (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$290.00
Will close during Public Auction
767       imageBrig Aleutian Aug 10th 1849, Letter No 3, At sea, Latitude 30°6' S, Longt 75°59' W. Dateline on bluish folded letter postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Oct 6" cds with matching red "SHIP" and large red "12" (10¢ postage and 2¢ ship fee) to Boston with endorsement "Via New Orleans paid", with transcription of lengthy contents that reads, in part, "…We left Rio April 20…on the 22 of May 23 entered the Straits of Magellan…in company with the schooner 'S.A. Sutter' of Warren R.I….owned by a company of gold seekers…left the straits July 30…Callao Aug 19th…we find that letters can be sent via Panama from this port by prepaying the postage (62½ cts per half oz). On finding the rate of postage I had half-a-mind to destroy my letter but supposing that this long lapse of time if you did how hear from us, would cause you anxiety, I conclude to send this and having one written to Mother I enclose it, as its weight will not double the expense in this manner…Henry R. Taylor"; letter describes in wonderful detail all the trials and tribulations of the trip via the "straits", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

AN OUTSTANDING LETTER FULL OF DETAILS OF THE VOYAGE TO CALIFORNIA. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
768       imageNew Orleans "Steam" covers. A very interesting group of four covers with "Steam" handstamps and all with 40¢ rate handstamps except one which is rated with 30¢ handstamp (the "Panama" rate), originated from Panama circa 1849, second is 1849 folded letter "40" handstamp (fancy hollowed out numerals) with manuscript directive "per Overland Mail Valparaiso" on blue folded letter to Massachusetts datelined "Brig Charlotte at Sea Latt 35^ S. Long 72^ West, May 3d 1849 200 miles from Valparaiso" from William Bartlett writing while en route to San Francisco (featured in Oct, 1980 Western Express article); third is cover to San Francisco, Alta California with red "Steam" and "40" marking; and last is folded letter to New York with matching "Steam" and hollowed out matching "40" rate handstamp on folded letter to New York datelined "Talenano Chilli May 14 1848" with four page letter detailing his trip thus far en route to California; accompanied by a "brass token" showing a miner holding a chunk of gold with the reverse showing the bust of Liberty and dated "1849", F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3) (Image4)

image image

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
769       imageNew Orleans, La. Jun 11, [likely 1850]. Black cds with "30" in circle rate handstamp on folded letter to Pittsburg, 30¢ was the rate from Panama to the east coast, letter missing first page, so no datelined, remainder of letter reads, in part, "…Mr. Bussey went forward to Panama to hire a room and be in readiness to receive the goods. On Tuesday morning I along with 3 natives started. Each of them carrying a heavy trunk weighing a hundred pounds or more except one, which weighed 64 and carried by a boy, only 16 years of age…The constructing of a railroad across would not be half so stupendous an affair as the Baltimore & Ohio R…Some persons had been waiting 6 weeks, the steamer tickets were all sold up to Sept. and passengers still crowding in from the states, when we landed it was supposed there were 2,000…It appears a written notice was posted at the door of the consul one day that Cala. Mail would be opened next at 12 O'clock and we knew nothing of it till too late…Joseph Parker" some small cover flaws, Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$170.00
Will close during Public Auction
770       image(Peru) Steam 30. Straight line handstamp with circular "30" rate both in red, with red "New Orleans Mar 13" (1850) cds on folded letter datelined "Paite (Peru) March 11th 1850" to N. Fairhaven, Mass., F.-V.F., a nice letter from a whaling ship.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
771       imageSouth Pacific Ocean Sept 21, 1851. Dateline on four-page bluish folded letter to Glens Falls, NY with "Steamship 20" due rating black circular handstamp of New York, contents read, in part, "…I have not drank any liquor for 13 months except one glas with medicen 6 monts ago and I am determined never to drink eny more as a beverage. I should not lost so mutch money if I had of had my head clear of that detested enemy of all mancind…I am now on the coast of Peru on a whaeling voyge after sperm oil whales ar very scarse hear and I have only taken 50 bbls sense I rote you before. My crew is well and a good set of men and all that I want is whales. I am in hopes that I shall bea at holm in 2½ years from this day at the longest…when you wright send 2 letters and direct them as folows: Capt. H. Simons, Barque Platina, South Pasific Ocean, Care of Mr. Bathews, Payta, Coast of Peru…I took a girl as my wife all thow we war not maried and she posed as my wife and no one knew to the contrary and while I was gone last voyge she spent 700 dollars for me and then tride to sell my house but no one would by it from her and she went with every body that she could…it cost me good 1200 dollars before I got threw with her…Hank Simons."; minor toning at folds, Very Fine and an excellent whaling letter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (5.1MB). (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
Panama
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
772       imagePanama March 17th, 1849. Dateline on folded cover to New York, endorsed by sender at top "United States of America" with different manuscript "30" rate, excellent letter which reads in part, "We have arrived safe in Panama about ten days since I wrote you by the "Crescent City" some 4 weeks ago. I'm happy to say that we have at last procured a passage to Sutters Fort California. Mr. Lippet of Providence has purchased a small schooner and Capt. Williams is master of her. Shall sail in a few days will take only 12 passengers and will coast all the way up to San Francisco. If you have any friends coming this way without steamer tickets, I should advise them not to come. There is now here about 1000 people without any tickets for California, and no possible chance for them any. Many will no doubt be obliged to return home. The expenses are more than double than we anticipated. Steamer Steerage tickets, have been sold here at auction $500.00 each", Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED COVER TO NEW YORK WITH THE 30¢ STEAMSHIP RATE FROM PANAMA. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
773       image[To the U.S. via Panama], On Board Steamer Cherokee off Chagus [Chagres]. Feb 26th, 1850. Dateline on folded letter with red two-line "STEAM SHIP" handstamp and matching "30" rate, addressed to Bucksport, Maine; transcribed contents included read, in part, "…these steamers could take 500 persons but you are mistaken all this boat can lodge is 200 little over they are so much take up with state rooms at the same time they crowded in 360 into this boat, it is so bad the passengers held a meeting and passed resolutions against Howland & Aspinwale which will be posted at home…the Tennessee has not arived at Panama yet and I am in no hurry as it is cheaper living on board than ashore. I always thought Chagus [Chagres] was a low dirty place but was much mistaken…there are four steamers here now…natives…offer to take us up to Gorgona for $8 but I shall pay $5 and no more…Sewall", couple tiny edge tears, Very Fine and an excellent letter.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
774       imagePanama 3 mo 14th 1850. Manuscript dateline on folded cover from Panama to New York, blue folded letter with New York black handstamps "STEAM SHIP" and "30" rate marking addressed to Cedar Swamp, Queens Co., N.Y., letter reads in part, "…The mail leaves in about an hour and as there will be no opportunity of sending a letter for about a month I embrace the opportunity to inform thee of my arrival here &c. We arrived at Chagres on first day last and that afternoon started in our canoes for Gorgora. It took us about two days and a pleasanter time I never had…The first night we stopped about 12 miles from Chagres at an Indian Town wrapped ourselves in our cloaks and slept on our baggage in the canoe People may talk about the Chagres never being unhealthy but with common prudence (It is as healthy at least at present as any other place) we walked from Gorgona here yesterday (about 30 miles) with the thermometer at about 90 and over one of the hardest roads in the world. There are about 1500 Americans with tickets purchased before they came for steamers that have not yet arrived, and have been here from two weeks to two months…I think I shall take the Bark John B. Gardner…L. Frost,", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
775       imagePanama, 14th March, 1850. Dateline on folded letter with black handstamp two-line "STEAM SHIP" and matching "30" rate marking (New York markings) to Boston; business contents signed Zachiricson Nelson & Co.; vertical file fold with toning along fold, Very Fine, A nice example of the scarce 30 cent Steamship rate into New York.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (1.2MB). (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction
776       imageForwarded By Corwine, Bro. & Co., Panama, N.G. Bold, black three-line handstamp on brown cover to New York City with manuscript "60" rate, light pencil notation left "Panama Mch 20 50", slight cover wear, Very Fine and rare, Note on verso indicates three examples of this Corwine handstamp known.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
777       imagePanama, N.Y. Jul 21 [1850], handstamp used by U.S. Despatch Agent in Panama (New Grenada). Excellent strike of black cds with black New York "Steamship 30 cts" handstamp on 1850 folded letter addressed to Philadelphia, datelined "Panama July 14th, 1850" and reads, in part, "…In great haste I sit down to give you a few lines previous to my embarcation tomorrow for San Francisco. I have now been here nearly a month & as the place bears every appearance of a down hill progress before long, I thought I would not risk my fortunes, with those of Panama…I shall take measures to have the letters which I wrote for in my last forwarded to me from Callao & shall probably make use of them at some future time. Please write immediately on reciept of this to Sacramento City as heretofore…I have shipped on the Columbus, for San Francisco & have to go aboard tonight…tell me what are the prospects of Realejo becoming the western terminus of the Nicaragua route to California & whether that route bids fair to be the route in future between the U. States & California…Isaac Wister", Extremely Fine and choice, Very rare handstamps, with 1978 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN EXAMPLES OF THIS ERROR ARE KNOWN, WITH THIS BEING PERHAPS THE FINEST.

This datestamp was intended to read "N.G." for New Granada, but was mistakenly inscribed as "N.Y." The marking was used exclusively on mail originating in Panama or delivered to the Consul there. Both the New York "Steamship 30" rate marking and the "Panama, N.Y." U.S. despatch agent's markings are only known used for a few months in mid-1850. (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
778       imagePANAMA. perfect strike of red straight line on 1850 folded cover to Boston, with matching red "Forwarded by Corwine Brothers. Panama N.G." oval forwarder handstamp & black rate handstamp "Steamship 30 Cts"; letter datelined "Lima Sept 9 1850" and reads, in part, "…quite ready to return to China sometime next month…since I have left China I have lost the run of the Amn [American] Ships trading to the East Indies…" additional business contents including mention of the California trade, Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THIS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE RARE STRAIGHT LINE PANAMA HANDSTAMP. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
779       imagePANAMA. Bold red straight line handstamp on bluish folded letter with "Steam Ship 30 Cts" rate stamp in black addressed to Georgia; contents datelined "Panama Sept 27 1850" reads, in part, "…we had a very Rough time crossing the gulf but had good Health except sea sick we came from New Orleans to Chagris for 40 stearage then up Chagris River in a small Boat for 8 Dollars we will leave here this evening on the steam ship General Warren at 140 Cabin…we will get in to the Minds [mines] about 20 Oct…direct your letter to Cullomia Cal…"; cover with some discoloration, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Jessup, cover was written up by Ashbrook in the Stamp Specialist Vol 1, Part 2, page 277.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$280.00
Will close during Public Auction
780       imagePan. & San. Fran. S.S. Jan. 15. Light strike of red cds on 1851 folded letter from San Francisco to Boston with circular "Steam Ship Cts" with black "40" concentrically struck at right; business letter datelined "San Francisco Jan 15, 1851"; light vertical file fold, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The "Pan. & San Fran. S.S." circular datestamp was used between November 1850 and June 1852 on mail handled by route agents aboard ships of the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company, contract mail carried by PMSS Co. was received in locked bags, but letters picked up en route were postmarked by official route agents, as evidenced by 25 recorded examples of these rare markings on covers. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction

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