United States Postal History continued...
State Postmarks - New Mexico (Albuquerque to Fort Staunton) continued...
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
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| 781 |
 |
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 Fort Bayard, New Mexico, 27 July 1879. Purple Type 3 cds duplexed with circled star fancy cancel ties 3¢ green (158) on cover to Washington D.C., purple "Carrier, Aug 7" backstamp; reduced at
left, F.-V.F., One of only 3 recorded examples of this Type 3 postmark, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $150 - 200.
The fort was established in the Santa Rita Mining District in 1866 to help subdue the Apache
uprisings that so disturb the intensive copper mining going on in the area. The fort was garrisoned with three companies of about 350 men in the Black Mountain district at 6,000 feet. The troops enjoyed a mild climate in this mountainous area. The
fort remained active much longer than most forts in New Mexico, and was finally closed in 1899 just a few years after the surrender of Geronimo's band in Skeleton Canyon in 1886. (Image1)
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Est. $150-200
SOLD for $210.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 782 |
|
|
 Fort Buchanan N.M., Feb 28. Yellow cover originating in Mexico with red boxed "Franco* / en Alamos" two-line postmark and matching red "3" reales rate handstamp on reverse, entered U.S. mails with
3¢ dull red (26), tied by clear strike of "Fort Buchanan, N.M. Feb 28" Type 1 cds to Sacramento, Alta California and carried by the Butterfield stage; 3¢ light pre-use crease, couple mended opening tears at top, Very Fine and rare
use, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS ORIGINATING IN MEXICO WITH THE "FRANCO EN ALAMOS" HANDSTAMP TYING STAMP.
This fort was located near the Sonoita River about 40 miles
south-southwest of Tucson in what was then the Territory of New Mexico, before the establishment of the Arizona Territory in 1863.
The first detachment of U. S. First Dragoons under Col. J. V. F. Blake arrived at the site on Nov. 17, 1856,
and began the construction of the fort, first calling it Camp Moore. The fort developed rapidly and on May 29, 1859 the name was changed to Fort Buchanan. It was a rough and crude establishment in the early days, but played an important part during
the Indian wars against the Apaches and other tribes scattered through the area. The Post Office was established on June 5, 1857 and discontinued Oct. 21, 1863.
During the early days of the Civil War the fort was burned on July 21, 1861 to
keep it from falling into the hands of Confederate troops who were coming from Texas into the southern area of New Mexico during the Civil War.
(Image1)
|
Est. $7,500-10,000
SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 783 |
|
|
 Fort Buchanan, N.M. (Incoming Overland Mail). Circa 1858-59 cover bearing two 3¢ dull red (26) singles, tied by "Hornellsville N.Y., May 26" cds addressed to "Fort Buchanan, Arizona, New
Mexico", manuscript "O.L.M. via St. Louis" Butterfield Overland Mail directive, Very Fine and scarce under 3,000 miles 6¢ double-rate use, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
The fort was located
in New Mexico Territory at this 1858-59 time. The Arizona Territory was not established till February 24, 1863. It may well have been that Geo. W. McDonell was the mail agent for Butterfield at Fort Buchanan during this period. (Image1)
|
Est. $300-400
SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 784 |
|
|
 Fort Conrad (Incoming). Orange buff cover with "El Paso : Mex., March 20" manuscript postmark and matching "5" rating on circa 1852 cover to soldier at Fort Conrad, N.M.; light staining at top,
F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
SOLD for $160.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 785 |
|
|
 Fort Craig, N.M. "Apl 2". Complete cds with ms. dating and matching ms. cancels 3¢ dull red (26) on 1861 cover to North Bloomfield, Ohio, with original enclosure datelined "Fort Craig, New
Mexico. April 2nd, 1861" from wife of Lt. Martin Van Buren Lewis in 8th U.S. infantry back home, with interesting content regarding stoppage of mails and military matters including "I wrote you last week and sent the letter down by the way of El
Paso, no knowing that the mail had been stopped so it will probably be some time before you get he letter if ever. I am going to send this one by way of Santa Fe and I guess you will get it in about four to five weeks. The time has been changed so
that it takes only ten days for a letter to come from Independence to Santa Fe and and four from there down here. The mail used to be fifteen days coming from Independence to Santa Fe…Two companies left here for Fort Fillmore last
week…"; accompanied by second faulty Fort Craig #26 cover with excellent Jan. 22nd letter including to direct mail "Overland Mail via El Paso. If they come that way I get them more than a week sooner than I do when they come through
Santa Fe. It is just about as far one way as the other but south they travel very much faster keeping the horses on a keen run all the time, changing often…" and some Indian content "…The mail from the south got along about four
or five hours ahead of time last night. It was attacked by a party of Navajoes about thirty miles below here, but got away from them without much damage. Once man was shot through the leg with an arrow and one mule shot in the head, supposed to be
mortally wounded. I think this is the first difficulty on this road since September, then, there was stage entirely clean out down near Mesilla…", Very Fine with an excellent pair of content letters.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)
|
Est. $400-600
SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 786 |
|
|
 Fort Craig, N.M. "Decr 20". Complete cds with ms. dating and matching "Paid 3 cts" rating on fresh 1860 orange cover to North Bloomfield, Ohio, with original enclosure datelined "Fort Craig, New Mexico.
Dec 19th, 1860" from wife of Lt. Martin Van Buren Lewis in 8th U.S. infantry back home, with interesting content regarding lack of letters and military including "The Commander of the post - Major Gatlin is going on leave in about a week and that
will leave Mart in command of his Company…His leaving will give command of the post - to Col. Porter and he has orders from Col. Fauntelroy to fit out an expedition of what - Riflemen and Infantry there are at the post against the Navajos this
will leave the Doctor Quartermaster and enough men to guard the post here…"; cover reduced slightly at left, a Very Fine stampless use with good military content.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
Fort Craig was established in
1854. It was intended to guard the north-south routes along the Rio Grand River against roving bands of Apache Indians. (Image1)
|
Est. $300-400
SOLD for $575.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 787 |
|
|
 Fort Craig, N.M. "21 Feby". Complete strike of woodcut type 1 cds with manuscript date and matching pen strokes cancel 3¢ dull red (26) on fresh yellow cover to North Bloomfield, O., with
original enclosure datelined "Fort Craig. New Mexico, Feb 20th, 1861" from wife of a lieutenant in 8th U.S. infantry, with interesting content regarding Lincoln election, slow mails and the relations with Indians including "If we stay here Mart
will probably have to go and fight Indians for it is impossible to make a treaty with all the Navajoes and the Apaches have declared war", Extremely Fine and exceptional use from Fort Craig, ex-Shipley & "Sevenoaks".
Estimate;
$750 - 1,000.
The construction of a new fort to be called Craig began early 1853 when orders were given to abandon Fort Conrad further down the river. This new site stood on a bluff overlooking the river bottom, with ten foot high walls
made of adobe bricks. This was a large new building project containing many different large buildings that would hold supplies and all the materials to support 3,000 soldiers.
The writer also tells about suspicions of Confederate spies being
in the area as rumors of war were circulating. The Civil War broke out just a few months later in April 1861. The Union force posted here later became involved in a major battle with Confederate army at Glorieta Pass, and Val Verde in February 1862.
The Union won a decisive victory turning the war in the West in favor of the Union. (Image1)
|
Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,050.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 788 |
|
|
 Fort Cummings N. Mex., Dec 26. Cds on orange cover bearing 3¢ rose (65), lifted and hinged in place, appears tied by grid cancel to Dodgeville Iowa, manuscript "Paid 25" at upper
left, original six-page letter datelined "Pinos Altos, N.Mex. Dec. 15" and "Dec. 22 '67" with some interesting content "I very much fear Central City (some 10 miles south of Pinos Altos) will share the same fate that Befel Cave &
think that before many months have rolled around Central like Cave City will only be inhabited by coyotes and Jack Apaches", expressing a gloomy view of friends going into the area on mining prospects "I have come to the same conclusion about
gold bearing quartz that I came to in regard to Placer Mines in this locality & that is that the longer a man works at it, the poorer he gets. There is but one forlorn hope for this place yet & that is the silver quartz. If that is a success, men
here in Pinos Altos will yet hold up their heads. If not, then au revoir to the City of the Pines. There is one smelter just started which promises to be a success. A few month will tell the tale or sound the funeral knell of Pinos Altos-Selah."
and he writes of killings over gambling, and his support for hangings of murderers…"The Indians killed two men last Wednesday some 10 miles below Ft. Bayard. Took 4 mules from them… The demon Jack Apache is high muck in this
country."; small faults, Fine, ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
The manuscript "Paid 25" possibly was a fee for stage coach to carry the letter from Pinos Altos that was on the old Butterfield Stage route to the post
office at Fort Cummings. The fort was designed and built by Gen. G. McClellan in 1862-63, at the mouth of Cook's Canyon, to keep New Mexico from joining the Confederacy and to control depredations of the Apaches led by Cochise, Geronimo, etc. The
post office existed there from 1866 to 1887, and this is an exceptionally early letter from there. (Image1)
|
Est. $300-400
SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 789 |
|
|
 Fort Defiance, N.M. Oct. 27th, 1859. Datelined descriptive letter written by Topographical Engineer while on a mission to the Navajo tribe, the suffering of his men was great due to the total shortage of
water for six days travel, the long march took the company of soldiers as far west as the great Canyon de Chelly in the heart of Navajo land, Very Fine and interesting letter.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 790 |
|
|
 "Fort Fillmore, N.M., Nov 8th/56". Manuscript New Mexico Territory postmark on 3¢ red (U10) buff entire to Norristown, Pa., Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ABOUT SIX RECORDED FORT FILLMORE MANUSCRIPT POSTMARKS.
Fort Fillmore was a way station on the Butterfield Overland Mail. It was established on September 23, 1851. Located on the left bank of the Rio Grande River about six
miles south of Mesilla. Abandoned by Union troops on July 26, 1861, and then occupied by the Confederate troops from Texas. Abandoned by the Confederates on July 8, 1862. Reoccupied by U.S. troops in August 1862, and finally abandoned by the military
on October 10, 1862. The post office was established August 6, 1852, and discontinued on February 14, 1863. (Image1)
|
Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 791 |
|
|
 Fort Fillmore, N.M., Aug 16 '57. Manuscript New Mexico Territory postmark and matching pen strokes cancel 3¢ dull red (11A) on light buff 1857 cover to Philadelphia Pa.; top left edge mend,
Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ABOUT SIX RECORDED FORT FILLMORE MANUSCRIPT POSTMARKS. (Image1)
|
Est. $1,000-1,500
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
| 792 |
|
|
 Fort Fillmore, N.M., Aug 29. Bold postmark tying 3¢ dull red (26), small repair at top left, on yellow cover to Beloit, Wisconsin, forwarded with 3¢ dull red (26) tied by "Beloit,
Wisc. Sep 22" cds to Syracuse N.Y, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED FORT FILLMORE HANDSTAMPED POSTMARK USE.
The Fort was a way station on the Butterfield Overland. Mail
route and later abandoned by the military on October 10, 1862. (Image1)
|
Est. $1,500-2,000
SOLD for $2,900.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 793 |
|
|
 Fort Mohave. Blue folded letter datelined "Fort Mohave, Colorado River, California, July 31, 1859" to Folkstone, England, carried by discharged soldier by military express to San Francisco, red "San
Francisco, Cal. '29 Paid' Sep 5, 1859" integral-rate cds, red crayon "29" at top right, sent by Sep. 5th PMSS steamship, New York red "19" cent credit handstamp; carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Sep. 28th to Liverpool arriving Oct.
8th, Folkstone (10.9) arrival backstamp; some edge wear and splitting, F.-V.F. and exception rare use from Fort Mohave, ex-Walske.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
Walter Thomas, member of Company F 6th Infantry, writes to his
mother about the very hot weather and life at the newly formed camp. "…I am writing this now on a bunch of willows so you must make all excuses for it and remember I have little convenience. We will soon have an express running so that I shall
be enable to write you regularly and let you how know I am getting on. The Indians here have broken the treaty and captured 15 mules which they consider very good meat and eat them. I will now light my pipe and have a little meditation for it is
Sunday and I have never forgot your lessons for which I ever thank you…"
Fort Mohave, originally named Camp Colorado was established on April 19, 1859 by Lieutenant Colonel William Hoffman during the Mohave War. It was located on the
east bank of the Colorado River, at Beale's Crossing by the recommendation of Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale. It was later renamed Fort Mohave nine days later by Captain Lewis A. Armistead. The fort was established to protect emigrants to
California traveling through the northern route in the New Mexico Territory on the Beale Wagon Road, and across the Mojave Desert on the old Mojave Road. It was also used as a base of operations against the warring Mohave Indian tribe. (Image1)
|
Est. $2,000-3,000
SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 794 |
|
|
 Fort Staunton (Incoming Mail via Butterfield Overland Mail Route). Light buff cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by bold strike of blue "Berlin Md., Aug 25" with manuscript day, addressed to
John W. Staton, Fort Staunton, New Mexico, endorsed "Via Butterfields overland mail Route"; reduced slightly at right, Fine, ex-Pearce, Risvold.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
SOLD for $200.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 795 |
|
|
 Fort Stanton, New Mex., Jul 9, 1879. Cds with cork cancel tying 3¢ green (184) on cover to Adams N.Y., interesting enclosed letter about travel across the plains, reading in part
"…This is a rough and mountainous country, and take it away from the Post the people is as rough as the country everyone that you must has his belt of cartridges and 6 shooter strapped on. They shoot each other here for little more than
fun. The population I guess is the worst class…outlaws and desperados…"; reduced at left and light toning, Fine, ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
SOLD for $260.00
Will close during Public Auction |
State Postmarks - New Mexico (Fort Union to Mesilla)
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
|
| 796 |
|
|
 "Ft Union, Augt 24th 1851". Manuscript endorsement on cover bearing 5¢ brown (1), large margins, small tear at left, tied by black "Washington City D.C. Sep 29" cds on small cover to William H.
McParlin at Annapolis Md. from his son Dr. Thomas McParlin, docketed "Received September 30th 1851, William H. McParlin"; some minor scattered stain spots including a couple on the stamp, Very Fine and rare use from Fort Union in the newly-created
territory of New Mexico, ex-Worthington, Ackerman (red label on back), Gibson, Sampson (backstamp), Rust, Boker, Gross, Kramer.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
THE ONLY INTACT 1847 ISSUE USE FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY.
Fort
Union was established in July 1851, located near the north junction of the two main branches of the Santa Fe Trail. Military supplies shipped from Fort Leavenworth crossed the plains on the Santa Fe Trail and were stored at the Fort Union depot,
where they were distributed to other posts in the Southwest. Dr. Thomas A. McParlin served as the first U.S. Army Surgeon at Fort Union.
There are only two recorded 1847 Issue uses from New Mexico Territory, the cover offered here and another
post-demonetization 5¢ #1 use (missing second #1 stamp) from Santa Fe. This cover was franked with the 5¢ 1847 issue by McParlin at Fort Union and sent by military courier to Washington D.C. where placed in the mails and the demonetized
5¢ stamp was forgivingly accepted as prepayment. (Image1)
|
Est. $2,000-3,000
SOLD for $5,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 797 |
|
|
 "Fort Union, Feb 3rd 52". Manuscript New Mexico Territory military postmark with matching pen strokes just tying 3¢ orange brown (10A), large margins to touched, on 1852 buff cover to Annapolis
Md., sharp "Baltimore, Md. Mar 8" cds and manuscript "Way" rating, cover was sent by Assistant Surgeon Thomas McParlin and docketed "Recd March 9th 1852, W.H. McParlin", Extremely Fine and remarkable use, ex-Chase, Ball,
Walske.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED FULL STAMPED COVER FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY.
Fort Union, was located close to the Santa Fe trail in north eastern New Mexico. Its main functions was to provide
military escorts to the monthly mails between Santa Fe and Independence, Missouri. This letter was carried under the first Waldo, Hall mail contract.
Three modes of transport were used:
1. By wagon: Fort Union depart 3 February 1852 via
Independence, to St. Louis (arrive 26 February)
2. By steamboat: St. Louis depart 27 February, via Cairo and Louisville to Wheeling, Virginia
3. By railway: Wheeling via Harrisburg, to Baltimore arrive 8 March with "Way" rating and sent on to
Annapolis. (Image1)
|
Est. $2,000-3,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
| 798 |
|
|
 "Fort Union N.M., Sept 3rd, 1852". Manuscript New Mexico Territory military postmark with matching pen strokes tying 3¢ dull red (11A), rich color, on blue folded letter to St. Louis, Mo., with
original lengthy four-page soldier's letter that mentions using chloroform and ether for illness, traveling 100 miles to Santa Fe with stations all the way, etc., Very Fine., Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Meroni.
Estimate; $2,000 -
3,000. (Image1)
|
Est. $2,000-3,000
SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 799 |
|
|
 (Fort Union, N.M.) 1855 (May 10) Annapolis, Md. to Fort Union, N.M. Territory. Gray folded cover with partial letter bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) tied by two strikes of circular grid cancel,
matching "Annapolis Md., 10 May" cds endorsed "Via Independence, Missouri" to Dr. Thomas A. McParlin at Fort Union where manuscript "Ford 5" rating applied for remailing to Annapolis, Very Fine, ex-Kramer.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)
|
Est. $300-400
SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 800 |
|
|
 Fort Union, New Mex., Sep 3. Cds cancels 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to Richmond Va., forwarded to Mountain Grove after 30 days with blue "Richmond. Va. '3 Paid' Oct 3" integral-rate cds,
enclosed letter written by Mr. I. Mescure dated August 31, 1855 at Santa Fe mentions a dear and good friend Don Manuel Alvarez a person of great importance in the early history of the New Mexico Territory at time of the Mexican War during 1846.; edge
faults and soiling, Fine, This was the first cds type of Fort Union.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction |
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