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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...

Gold Rush Era Illustrated Lettersheets continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
581       imageView of the Conflagration of Marysville, on the Night of August 30th 1851. Used lettersheet (Baird 289) lithographed by Justh, Quirot & Co, published by R.A. Eddy who ran the Stationers Warehouse in Marysville, folded gray double sheet 8.5x17", with letter datelined "Marysville, Cal., April the 24, 1852" with mention of the area mining and reads, in part "…The mines are doing well this spring. About $10 [a half ounce] is thought to be the average work of the mines now per day. A man can make more now at $10 per day than he could at $15 when I first came to the country. Provisions and clothes, tools and every thing is so mutch cheeper now."; light minor stains and small hole at center of illustration, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (901KB). (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$950.00
Will close during Public Auction
582       imageView of the Conflagration of "Nevada City" on the Morning of March 11th, 1851. Estimated Loss $1500000. Hand colored used lettersheet (Baird 290) from a lithograph of E.F. Butler, Clay St., San Francisco, from a sketch by E.H. Willington, large full-page view on 1st page of a 4-page white lettersheet 10¼x8¼"; used with message datelined "Nevada City March 29th 1851" reading, in part, "…I shall send by the mail that this goes by a draft on Adams & Co. for two hundred dollars and perhaps that will relieve you until I return…Business is more lively now than before the fire because it gives employment to many in rebuilding there as one Hundred and ten buildings burned mostly stores, Gambling Houses, Houses of Ill Fame and Grog Shops and some respectable families were deprived of their homes in a very few minutes. the fire went through the entire length of Main Street, a part of Broad Street and the whole of Cross. The buildings were mostly constructed of pitch pine and such a fire I presume was scarcely ever witnessed…Wm Gay.", very minor wear at folds, Extremely Fine, thought to be unique as it is the Baird listing example and no others could be found in auction searches.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A CHOICE EARLY CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET ILLUSTRATING THE DESTRUCTION OF NEVADA CITY IN THE 1851 FIRE. (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
583       imageView of Nevada City, from Prospect Hill. Used lettersheet (unlisted in Baird) published by C.M. Mulford, Nevada, printed by "Chs Peregoy" from a sketch by E.G. Withington, showing great detail including several hotels, Barker's Exchange, etc. double-size lettersheet measuring 11x17" and used with two-page letter datelined "Wolf Creek May 4th '51" which reads, in part, "…quite a heavy business is being done in this neighborhood crushing quartz & washing gold from it…Joseph is pack[ing] miners supplies to the mountains on the feather river…I could spare amounting to 12-½ ounces of gold dust…I shall never leave California for fear of being sick. I would rather die in this country than return as poor as I came…Wm O. Armsted", accompanied by front-only of original envelope with black circular datestamp "San Francisco Cal 15 May" with matching large "40" rate (further dating this item to 1851) to Ohio; cover front with tattered edges, lettersheet has minor reinforcing to center fold, Very Fine, likely a unique item as it is unlisted in Baird and no other has been seen in any auctions.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A GREAT RARITY AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF A USED CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET. A WONDERFUL EXHIBIT QUALITY ITEM.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (5.5MB). (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
584       imageView of San Francisco from Telegraph Hill. Used lettersheet (Baird 316) lithograph of Pearce & Pollard, San Francisco, Published by Cooke and LeCount in 1850, view on top half of the 1st page of a 4-page white lettersheet 10¼x8¼"; used with message datelined "San Francisco Oct 31st 1850" and message reading in part, "…the above is a very fair representation. I send the Herald and Journal of Commerce with a price current to Father…Edward Floyd Jones.", 3 inch tear affecting design has been neat mended & some hinge reinforcement used to repair small edge tears, Fine, rare and early, with an example of this Baird 316 lettersheet in slightly better condition selling at auction in 2022 for $4,687 with buyer's premium.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

AN OUTSTANDING EARLY CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET AND A MUST FOR ANY SAN FRANCISCO POSTAL HISTORY EXHIBIT.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (1.9MB). (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
585       imageView of San Francisco in 1860. Used lettersheet with original mailing envelope (Baird 317), large lithographed view of San Francisco in 1860 with panoramic view on bluish paper measuring 8.25x21.5", published by Henry Payot, 184 Washington Street, the view covers two full pages of the four-page lettersheet, with the other two pages completely filled with the sender's letter, which is datelined "San Francisco Cala October 30th 1863" (should be 1862, based on postmark on cover) and reads, in part, "…I brought eight hundred dollars in Gold down here with me, and put in into two different banking houses for safe keeping…Peter McCaull" accompanied by original mailing envelope with "San Francisco Cal Nov 2 1862" double circle datestamp and fancy killer on 3¢ 1861 issue adhesive (#65) on cover with printed address to Robert McCaull Esq, Chicago, Ill., cover has slight edge wear, lettersheet is as sound as the day it was printed, Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A FANTASTIC PANORAMIC VIEW OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 1860 IN PERFECT CONDITION.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (4.7MB). (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
586       imageView of the Steam-Boat Landing Sacramento City, from K Street [upper] L Street, M Street [Lower]. Used lettersheet (Baird 321) published by Conner & Forrest, with wonderful detail of K and M street, the upper showing the sidewheel steamer "Senator" in the river, the lower showing the sternwheel steamer "Jenny Lind" in the river on four-page 10.5x16.5" lettersheet, used with lengthy three-page letter from a semi-literate miner datelined "California September the 27 1851" reads in part, "…as for the roundies I am one among them and they might find some trouble in getting one to one rid beside the roundy do not ake the trouble of putting a person to one side unles there is afare prospeck of getting Gold enouf to pay them for it for this reason I think there is no danger of them attacting me…boots shoes socks flanel shorts pants and sutch other articles as sel in Californey from three to five hundred pre sent above the cost…I have been mining on the North fork of the American river this sumer I hav edon midling well the most of the miners is leaving for home a great meney will leave the country this fall mining is very dul along her at present…Andrew W. Cairn.", Very Fine, another rare California lettersheet, especially used, with an unused and slightly damaged example selling at auction in 2010 for $2125 with buyer's premium.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

EXHIBITION QUALITY EXAMPLE OF A USED CALIFORNIA LETTERSHEET FROM 1851.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (7.3MB). (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
587       imageWinter in the Mines. Used lettersheet (Baird 334) by Hutchings & Rosenfield, 7 wood engravings (6 by Charles Nahl and 3 additionally have the "TA" monogram of artist and engraver Thomas Armstrong.) cover a white ruled double sheet 9.75x15.5" and detail successive winter hardships leading to the death of the miner, his wife and his dog, with letter datelined "San Andreas Sept 14 1862" and reading, in part, "…I am yet alive and amongst the Living but not many of them She Males. Clint the women are mighty scarce here. A damd homly woman would be a paradise here", later he writes, "I suppose they are raising the devil south with the Rebels. I don't get much war nuse…", some wear & hinge reinforcements at folds, still Very Fine, a rare used lettersheet.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (3.7MB). (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
California Patriotic Covers
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
588       imageBig Oak Flat, Cal. Aug 11 [1861]. Blue cds on Patriotic Cover to Maine, design in red, white and blue showing Flag and Cannon, franked with 1857 1¢ + three 3¢ cancelled by manuscript pen, included is original patriotic lettersheet in red "Through Baltimore" with flag and cannon design and lengthy verse, datelined "Big Oak Flat Aug 11th / 61" with contents, in part, "…It is some time since I heard from old Turner but I expect that the people think so much of the war that they forget all their old friends but my wish is that the Republicans will get all they want before they git through with it unless they try and make a compromise with the South I cannot blame the South for doing as they have they were drove to do it and now the Republicans want to drive them back again and I am in hopes that the good old Democratic party will still stand for the union as they always have done and not help the Rep fight for the desolusion of the union. I am in hopes after this that the Rep will not think any more of a niger than he does of a white man. The way I think it can be settle now if for the Rep to come out and tell the South that they are willen to respect the whites there as much as they do the nigers then you will see the South lay down their arms but not till then and I am in hopes that they wont…"; cover & stamps defective, Fine cover and Very Fine patriotic lettersheet.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

AN OUTSTANDING PATRIOTIC ITEMS AND THE ONLY PATRIOTIC LETTERSHEET WE HAVE SEEN USED IN CALIFORNIA. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
589       imageCalifornia Civil War Patriotic Covers. Lot of five California patriotic covers, all with different designs in red, white & blue, town postmarks include Colma, Horsetown, Oakland & two from Red Dog, two used internally in California and others to the East coast, various frankings including one with Post Office Free handstamp, all with varying degrees of faults, one is a rebacked front, Fine, Patriotic covers from California are scarce, if not rare. This lot represents an opportunity for the collector/dealer to pick up five at one time.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (13MB). (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
590       imageHealdsburg, Cal Apr 7 [1864]. Black cds with several matching strikes of target killer tying vertical pair of 1861 3¢ rose (65, defects) on patriotic cover "The Loyal States, UNION, California" all over illustrated design with "Eureka" in circle (state seal design), etc., addressed to Boston, registration of design imprint on backflap with additional strike of Healdsburg cds, corner defects, Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A VERY RARE CALIFORNIA LOYAL STATES PATRIOTIC COVER USED FROM CALIFORNIA. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
591       image(Incoming) "20th Corps" Overwritten on Twelfth Corps, First Division. Imprint at left on patriotic cover with large Red Star at left bordered in blue, McGee Imprint at left, franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Chattanooga, Ten 5 Sep" blue double circle postmark with matching target on cover to San Francisco, reduced at right up to stamp (couple perfs affected), still Very Fine, a scarce design & usage to California.
Estimate; $100 - 150. (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction
592       image(Incoming) Flag Patriotic Covers Addressed to California. Lot of three patriotic covers with flag designs, first is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Newark, N.J. May [xx 186x]" on cover with involute flag design to San Francisco, handstamp "DUE 10", missing backflap, second first is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Chazy N.Y. Jun 10" black cds on cover with involute flag design and addressed to Timbuctoo, Cal, 1861 docketing, neatly repaired, and third is franked with 1857 10¢ green tied by "Philadelphia" octagonal datestamp (unreadable) cover with involute flag to San Jose, Cal, with docketing 1861, F.-V.F., an attractive group of incoming patriotics.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (7.3MB). (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
593       image(Incoming) Patriotic Cover Addressed to Stockton, California. Origination black double circle postmark "Pottsville Pa Aug 28 1862" with grid killer on 1861 10¢ green (68, small faults), blue illustrated "Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan" at left with printer's inscription, plus small "Place for the Stamp" imprint with pointing hand and collar under adhesive, light edge wear, Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
594       imageIowa City, Cal. Jul 23. Large black cds with "PAID 10" in circle on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Flag and Cannon and inscription "The Union must and shall be preserved", addressed to New York, reduced at right into address, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Tatham.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
595 ()      imageOroville, Cal. Mar 29 [circa 1861]. Large black cds patriotic cover (front only) to England, cover shows all over Red, White and Blue Flag design, second strike of cds on blue field of flag and manuscript "Paid 29c" West Coast rate, red "N. York Br. Pkt., Paid 19, Jul 3" exchange cds to England; wear at edges of original cover front, reduced right into docketing, Fine and rare.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
596       imageRedwood City (California) March 26, 1862. Datelined on illustrated patriotic lettersheets with "California" above image of seated Reverse: within involute flag; contents confirm California origin, letters read in part, "…After an other long silence I sit down to write but have but little of interest to write. Since I wrote you I have received a long letter from Hank Kinney. He is well and doing well-is mining at Cherokee-where you & I went to one first ball. They have two boys nearly large enough to work in the mines, so he says…Hank says when he gets his diggings worked out he thinks of going to the Northern Mines. By the way I myself think of going. I think the chances are that I will go…"; a similar second lettersheet is included and is datelined "Camp Griffin", a yellow cover accompanies, seems be related to the Camp Griffin lettersheet, postmarked "West Berkshire, VT Apr 22" with 1861 3¢ rose on cover with six appropriately dated enclosures to Loomis, President of Burlington Savings Bank, Vt, Very Fine, a lovely pair of California Patriotic Lettersheets and a very rare usage of one within the state.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
597       imageSaint Louis, Cal. Aug 28, [1861]. Blurry just decipherable black cds tying 1857 10¢ green, type V (35) on patriotic cover with Flag Over Cannon and "The Union must and shall be preserved" imprint, addressed to Providence, R.I.; light pencil docket at upper left "Ag 28 61" may or may not be contemporary, some minor cover (light crease at bottom right) & stamp flaws, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
598       imageSan Diego, Cal. Mar 21, [circa 1861]. Large black cds on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Involute Flag and lengthy inscription (Milgram WP-2 var.) beneath franked with 1857 3¢ rose and cancelled by socked-on-the-nose grid addressed to Sacramento City, Cal; light edge wear, Very Fine, a very rare California patriotic usage entirely within the state.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
599       imageSan Jose, Cal. Jun 29. Cds ties 1857 10¢ green (35, trimmed perfs) on red, white & blue All-Over Patriotic Flag cover to Poplar Ridge N.Y.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Drew.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
600       imageTaylors Ranch, Cal., May 8 1862. Manuscript postmark (PLU-2410, one of 3 such known) with pen cancelled 1861 3¢ rose (65) on Patriotic Cover with Red, White and Blue Flag and Cannon and inscription, and "Published by G.W. Stacy" (only 1 known to date w publisher's inscription) at bottom left, Very Fine, one of the finest California patriotics which is further enhanced by this rare postmark, ex-Polland, Jacobitz & Tatham.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction

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