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Sale 62: Western Postal History

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Illustrated Miner's Covers & Lettersheets

Lots 1-4

Lot 1    

(Illustrated Envelopes) Miner's Envelope, illustrated miner's mountain scene showing bear and tent, "F.C.M. Fenn, San Francisco, Cal." imprint, on reverse of orange buff cover to New Canaan Conn. bearing 3¢ dull red (11), margins to just in, tied by bold "New-York Nov 7" cds; cover with repaired corners and top edges, Very Fine, ex-Jessup, Haas, Kutz; with 2008 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

A REMARKABLY RARE F.C.M. FENN MINER'S ENVELOPE DESIGN WHICH IS UNIQUE.

Realized: $3,000

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Lot 2    

(Illustrated Envelopes) Miner's Envelope, illustrated miner's river scene showing Sluice Box and Miners working, "F.C.M. Fenn, San Francisco, Cal." imprint, on reverse of orange buff cover to East Pepperell Mass. bearing 3¢ dull red (11A), four even margins, tied by Boston "Paid" circular grid cancel, red "Boston '3cts' 21 Mar" cds, Very Fine, ex-Jessup, Haas, Kutz; with 2008 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE F.C.M. FENN MINER'S ENVELOPE DESIGN WHICH IS UNIQUE.

Realized: $3,500

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Lot 3    

(Illustrated Envelopes) Up Hill Work, handsome miner's illustrated design published at the Wide West Office, San Francisco, on orange buff cover showing "Culloma, Cal." cds with matching "Paid" and "10" handstamps to Milton Mills, Minnesota, manuscript "Paid 10" endorsement, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

A GEM EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE WILD WEST OFFICE CALIFORNIA ENVELOPE DESIGN.

Realized: $1,800

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Lot 4

(Illustrated Lettersheets) The Miner's Ten Commandments (Baird 167) copyrighted by James Mason Hutchings in 1853 and printed by the San Francisco Sun, folded double sheet 11.25x18.25", showing 10 illustrated miner scenes and corresponding text at center, used with letter datelined "San Francisco, California, April 14th, 1854" with some interesting content regarding bars and gambling…This is done Sunday & every day; horse racing, Bears fighting & Bull fighting is their amusement. For Sunday, a man living here has to carry a pocket almanac to know when Sunday comes.; some small internal holes along file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

James M. Hutchings (1820-1902) first published this classic letter sheet in the Placerville Herald on June 4, 1853. The popularity of the Miner's Ten Commandments led him to print and sell 3 editions of 25,000 each. As he traveled around California gathering sketches and material which would appear in his California Magazine, he sold letter sheets, single and double, for 25 and 50 cents.

Realized: $950

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Lots 1-4

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