Sale 85: The Westpex Sale

Lot 766    

Stockton, Cal., Feb 18, large serifed cds in blue and large oval "40" rate marking in matching blue on cover to Huntsville, Alabama, undated but necessarily an 1851 use given the postmark type and rate, cover corners repointed, one light stain, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $50

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Lot 767    

Stockton, Cal., Mar 4, large serifed cds in blue and large oval "40" rate marking in matching blue (oval is faint) on folded letter to Chillicothe, Ohio, also manuscript "40" notation, letter (3 pages) is from a miner to his brother back home and datelined "Cannacker Gulch, Calaveras County California, Feb 15th 1851", letter reads in part "for 50 miles 'round me the miners are not averaging more than 4 dollars per day… on the Trinity River new and rich diggings are discovered… 350 or 400 miles from me… every ravine in California… is prospected or dug over, the ground is being dug 2 and 3 times over where it paid… the Indians steal all the mules, horses, oxen, etc. that they can… I think they will be driven out of the country this coming season", some separation at the folds, edge wear, a couple small stains, F.-V.F., ex-Knapp.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $550

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Lot 768    

Stockton, Cal., May 4, '51, manuscript postmark and manuscript "40" and "Pd" rate marking on folded letter to Oxford, Connecticut, letter (1 page) is written in verse from a man to a woman back home and datelined "California May 1, 1851", letter begins "There was quite a rush, To the Post Office last night, And I among the rest, Was happily blessed, With a letter, which gave real delight", minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The "destruction of Stockton by fire" is referenced in the letter in the previous lot. That fire may be the reason why the Stockton postmaster resumed using manuscript postmarks for a short time in 1851.

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Lot 769    

Stockton, Cal., May 9, large serifed cds in blue and large oval "12½" rate handstamp in matching blue on portion of folded letter sheet (no contents) to Governor John McDougal in San Jose, undated but necessarily an 1851 use given the postmark type and rate, minor edge wear and lightly soiled, a trifle trimmed along the bottom, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $75 - 100.

Realized: $1,700

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Lot 770    

Stockton, Cal., May 28, large serifed cds in blue and large oval "80" rate marking in matching blue on folded letter to Sterling, Massachusetts, manuscript "1851" notation by the postmark, letter (3 pages) is from a man to his father back home and datelined "Buena Vista Quartz Vein, Mariposa County Alta California, May 18th 1851 (Saxons Creek)", letter is mostly about another relation but includes "We have got a little gray squirrel who sleeps with me every night… I am to work for… 150 a month… I have just learned of the destruction of Stockton by fire, among the ruins are… my trunks… containing all my fine clothes", bleach spots around the edges, F.-V.F., a scarce 80¢ double rate use, ex-White
.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $475

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Lot 771    

Stockton, Cal., Jun 26, large serifed cds in blue and large oval "12½" rate handstamp in matching blue on portion of folded letter sheet (no contents) to Governor John McDougal in Vallejo, "recd July 7th 1851" docket inside, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Kramer.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

By the Act of August 14, 1848, "letters conveyed from one to any other place in California: 12 ½ cents". This letter was mailed June 26, 1851, four days before the end of the rate.

Realized: $120

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