Lot
820 
(San Francisco) Alcatraz, Cal. Clear 1887 cds (Williams SAF-40) and target handstamp canceling 1887, 1¢ blue + 1883, 2¢ red brown, pair placed over the top of cover to Germany, fancy script for address, Very Fine, 19th century covers from Alcatraz are scarce and quite sought after. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $270
Lot
821
(San Francisco) Presidio, Cal. Clear cds and target cancel (Williams SAF-160) ties 1893 2¢ red on patriotic envelope to Cherokee, Kans., also 4 other covers, each different to corner card or cancel, most Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 250.
Realized: $100
Lot
822
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Up. Cal., Sept 25th 1849. Dateline on lengthy 3-page letter to Baltimore, Md., original cover with "40" in circle rate handstamp, letter regarding the troubled 214 day passage to California, mentioning Atlantic storms of the lower coast of South America, reading a notice in the Valparaiso Reading Room regarding the ship Hebe…attempted to pass the straits of Magellan & came as far as Possession Bay on the north side of the straits where she anchored at the turn of tide on the 30th of April. The passengers & some of the crew went on shore in the boat in order to shoot some birds. The captain saw the native Patagonians gathered on the shore in great numbers, even to hundreds & many more besides were seen coming from the hills on horseback. In the meantime the wind came on to blow a gale - The Barque drifted. One of the cables of the vessel then parted & she swung round by the other towards the shore…it was necessary to cut the other cable & sailed for the Atlantic again leaving these poor men where they were & their subsequent lot a matter of the most painful doubt.; with additional hand carried letter from correspondence datelined 4 days after and 73 additional covers from the Perkins east coast correspondence (1830-70's), F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $375
Lot
823
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Cal. Bold cds (Williams SAF-350) and wide grid handstamps tying 1851, 3¢ orange brown, three pairs (positions 15-16, 17-18, 5-6 L5E) on double rate cover to Albany, N.Y.; light cover wrinkling, otherwise Very Fine, the highest franking of orange browns we recollect from California. Scott No. 10A Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
824
(San Francisco) (San Francisco, Cal.). Spoke killer handstamp of San Francisco tying 1851, 1¢ blue, type II on folded 1852 "Cooke Brother Co., The San Francisco Prices Current and Shipping List" to Portland, O.T.; filing fold, Very Fine and scarce. Scott No. 7 Estimate $250 - 350.
Realized: $270
Lot
825
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Cal. A group pf 12 classic covers; includes manuscript "Steamer Northerner of April 1 1853" inscription on orange envelope with pair of 1851 3¢ dull red, two stampless including cameo corner card, etc., F.-V.F. overall. Estimate $250 - 350.
Realized: $230
Lot
826
San Francisco, Cal. incoming from Boston, Mass. Large "4 " due handstamp (Blake & Davis 583) with cds dated April 4 & large "Paid" in grid handstamp cancelling 1851, 3¢ dull red pair, 1855 pencil docketing; slight cover soiling, otherwise Very Fine, this is pictured in Blake & Davis on page 108 and is the only copy known to them or us, a most important East-West rate cover as the rate had changed to 10¢ on April 1, 1855. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $350
Lot
827
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Cal., Nov 20. Cds with matching "Ship" and "12" rate handstamps on tissue paper cover to Galveston, Texas, endorsed "By ship to California" and From "U.S. Ship Portsmouth"; backflap separated from cover and sealed tear and edge repair at top, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $100
Lot
828
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Cal. Clear cds with "R" in Francisco reversed, on 1853, 10¢ green entire to Mamasoneck, N.Y.; small corner nick, Very Fine, the first recorded. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $70
Lot
829
(San Francisco) San Francisco, Cal., Jan 19, 1859. Cds with matching "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp on incoming folded letter sheet, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $110