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Sale 79: The George J. Kramer Collection of Western Trails and Routes

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Western Towns - Kansas

Lots 3059-3068 Lots 3069-3071

Lot 3059    

Arkansas City, Kan., Jul 22, 1887, cds duplexed with fancy quartered cork cancel ties 2¢ red brown (210) on St. Charles Hotel corner card cover to Fort Reno, Indian Territory, endorsed "Proposals for Services of Merchanics", magenta Quarter Master General's Office receiving handstamp, F.-V.F., ex-Willard on his exhibit page with hand-drawn map.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $120

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Lot 3060    

Burlingame, K.T., Jan 19, clear strike of cds on blue cover bearing three 1¢ blue (24) singles, each cancelled by four-ring targets, addressed to Hiram Oh., minor docketing on face, F.-V.F., a scarce 1¢ 1857 issue use from Kansas Territory, ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS BURLINGAME, KANSAS TERRITORY CDS.

Settled in 1857, Burlingame was the second most important Kansas stop on the Sante Fe Trail. The post office name was changed to Council City in 1861.

Realized: $625

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Lot 3061    

Doniphan, K.T., Oct 24, bold sharp strike of cds and circular grid cancel tie 3¢ dull red (26), small nick, on orange cover to Butler Pa.; partial back flap, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 3062    

Fort Scott, Kan., Apr 6, cds duplexed with cork cancel ties 3¢ green (158) on cover to Sioux City Ioa., fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 3063    

Free State Emigration, the Kansas Aid Committee, 1856 printed circular soliciting funds for the "People of Kansas…in defending themselves and their families from the unjustifiable invasions and lawless incursions and attacks of the Missouri Borderers upon their lives and liberty", bearing 1¢ blue (7) tied by "Albany N.Y., Paid" cds to New York City, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Kansas and Nebraska Territories were formed in 1854. Various groups and societies were formed with the intent of having Kansas became either a pro-slavery or "free state". Thus began the "border war" that lasted.

Realized: $500

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Lot 3064    

"Grasshopper Falls, Oct 28", manuscript postmark with matching manuscript canceled 3¢ dull red (26) on light buff cover to Cleveland Oh.; some docketing offset, Fine and rare cover from an important "Border War" town, ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED TERRITORIAL USAGES.

Settled in 1854, the town of Grasshopper Falls in Jefferson County was founded in 1855. It was named after its location on the falls of the Grasshopper River, now called the Delaware. In 1856, A.T. Pattie, a proslavery man was run out of town. This resulted in a reprisal raid on the free-state town in September 1856.

The Mass and Delegate Free State Convention met at Grasshopper Falls August 26, 1857, to decide whether to participate in the scheduled election. This meeting unified the free staters, and they in turn carried the October election and defeated most of the Democratic Party pro-slavery candidates. This virtually assured that Kansas would be admitted as a free state, but by no means did it put an end to the conflict.

Realized: $150

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Lot 3065    

Leavenworth City, K.T., Dec 15, 1857, sharp strikes of cds ties 3¢ dull red (26) on buff cover with blue "Ewing, Denman & Co. Real Estate Agents" shield cameo corner card; light bottom right stain, still Very Fine and scarce Kansas Territory cameo.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $190

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Lot 3066    

Leavenworth Kan., group of three comprising "Leavenworth City, K.T., Aug 4, 1858" cds ties 3¢ dull red (26) to Burlington Vt.; "Leavenworth City, Kan. Oct 22" duplex ties 3¢ ultramarine (114) on cover to St. Clair Pa., and "Fort Leavenworth Kan. Jun 19" duplex with honeycomb fancy cancel to Salem Mass., F.-V.F. trio.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 3067    

"Sac & Fox Agency, K.T., May 15", manuscript postmark on 1858 folded letter to Ohio, franked with 3¢ 1857 (Scott 26), lengthy contents give great detail on the Kansas Territory, cost of living, etc., Very Fine and scarce Indian Agency use, ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE SAC & FOX AGENCY KANSAS TERRITORY POSTMARKS.

Located in Franklin County on the Marias des Cygnes River, this was one of the Indian reservations created for relocation of the eastern tribes. After several moves from their home on Lake Huron, the Sac and Foxes were given land in the unorganized territory of Kansas. In 1867, this reservation was ceded back to the United States in exchange for land in Indian Territory, thus opening the Kansas lands for white settlement.

Realized: $1,200

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Lot 3068 *   

"Wakarusa, K.T., Apr 26, 1859", manuscript postmark on small cover bearing pen cancelled 3¢ dull red (26) to Athol, Mass., interesting original contents refer to both the slavery question and Rocky Mountain gold rush including "…I would not advise any eastern friend to come out here with the intention of settling…folks do not consider what a step they are taking till perhaps it is too late to recant; they have to then make the best of it, but many of them live discontented and wishing for the comforts that they have left behind…", Very Fine and rare, ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

ONE OF TWO RECORDED TERRITORIAL COVERS FROM WAKARUSA.

The Wakarusa War: Because law enforcement was biased in favor of the pro-slavery forces, Governor Shannon called for establishment of a Kansas Militia. In response to an armed threat against the free state town of Lawrence, free staters formed their own forces. On December 1, 1855, almost 1500 pro-slavery men began a week-long siege of Lawrence. Fearing large casualties and loss of the Governor's support, the pro-slavery Sheriff Samuel L. Jones was reluctant to attack the town. Ultimately, Governor Shannon visited the emplacements and negotiated a "peace treaty", so after eight days the Wakarusa War ended with only one casualty and the disbanding of the attackers. No battle was fought and a grand party ensued in Lawrence by the "victorious" residents.

Realized: $475

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Lots 3059-3068 Lots 3069-3071

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