Lot
135 
San Francisco Cal., Paid, Apr 23, magenta exchange cds on blue 1869 folded letter to Liverpool, England bearing 12¢ black, E grill (90) tied by fancy radial cancel, endorsed "pr Overland Mail", carried by NGL Line Donau from NEw York May 6th to Southampton arriving May 17th, red London Paid (5.17) transit cds, Liverpool (5.17) arrival backstamp; some soiling and wear, F.-V.F. and interesting content. Estimate $400 - 600.
Excellent transcontinental railroad content, "…Great events are expected on the completion of the Pacific Railroad which will be in about 20 days. The 1st train through the United States is looked for on July 4th, which will be the occasion of a grand jubilee." The railroad's completion would come only 17 days later with the ceremonial spike at Promontory on May 10th.
Realized: $525
Lot
136
"Promontory U.T.", manuscript endorsement at left on circa 1869 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire bearing 10¢ green (68) tied by target cancel, matching partial "Union Pacific R.R. Mar 21" route agent cds to Toronto, Canada; reduced at left, F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
THE ONLY RECORDED COVER ENDORSED FROM PROMONTORY, UTAH TERRITORY.
The linking of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads would be May 10, 1869. The agreed place was Promontory, Utah Territory. The sender of this cover was probably with the advance construction team. Because Promontory was in the middle of the desert, there was no post office; the only possible marking was docketing as shown here. Wells Fargo & Co. carried the mail by stage coach to the Union Pacific railhead.
Realized: $1,600
Lot
137
Union Pacific R.R. May 10, sharp strike of cds on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire with printed "Wells Fargo & Co., Paid" printed frank to Ithaca N.Y., pencil docketed "May 6, 69" at left; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED COVER POSTMARKED ON THE DAY THE GOLDEN SPIKE WAS DRIVEN CONNECTING THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD, AND CARRIED EAST ON THE SPECIAL FIRST DAY TRAIN.
The transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869. The Central Pacific had laid 690 miles and The Union Pacific had laid 1,087 miles.
Realized: $10,000
Lot
138
(Alaska) Sitka, Alaska A.T., May 13, full bold strike of cds, matching target cancel ties 3¢ rose (65) on yellow 1869 cover to Pomfret Vt., original letter datelined "Special Agent's Office, Sitka, Alaska, May 5. 1869" no longer accompanies; small cover repair at bottom right, Very Fine, ex-Persson. Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE FIRST ALASKA TERRITORIAL HANDSTAMPED POSTMARK.
Cover was sent by ship to San Francisco, and then overland via the transcontinental railroad to the east.
Realized: $25,000
Lot
139
Wells Fargo & Co., C.P.R.R, Mess., May 17, blue oval datestamp on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire with printed "Wells Fargo & Co., Paid" frank to Treasure City Nev., matching small blue "W.F. & Co., May 17, 1869" oval datestamp; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine., Very Fine, ex-Pearce. Estimate $400 - 600.
A SCARCE EARLY EXPRESS USAGE CARRIED ON THE NEWLY INAUGURATED TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD SERVICE THAT COMMENCED ON MAY 15TH.
Realized: $700
Lot
140
Mountain City Col. Oct 15, cds duplexed with cork cancels ties 1¢ buff (112) strip of three on orange cover to West Exeter N.Y., endorsed "Via Utica", Very Fine and rare 1¢ 1869 use from Colorado Territory. Estimate $500 - 750.
With the transcontinental railroad complete, instead of taking 60 days or more to cross the country was now accomplished in one week.
Realized: $475
Lot
141
"Clarks Station C.P.R.R., Nevada, Nov 69", dateline on original enclosure, 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Wadsworth, Nov 17" oval datestamp to Mt. Bullion Cal., additional partial blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Reno, Nov 19" transit oval, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $230
Lot
142
Well Fargo & Co., Golconda. Dec 8, clear strike of blue oval datestamp cancels circa 1868 3¢ pink (U59) entire with red "Pacific Union Express Co., Paid" printed frank to San Francisco Cal.; some restoration, F.-V.F. appearance. Estimate $150 - 200.
The Pacific Union Express Co. operated in Nevada and California between July 1, 1868 and December 1, 1869, when they sold out to Wells Fargo & Co. The Golconda office continued to use the stock of Pacific Union Express franked envelopes.
In 1868, Golconda, located on a prominent emigrant trail, had become an ore shipping station for the new Central Pacific Railroad whose tracks reached Winnemucca September 16, 1868. This cover of "Dec 8" was one of the earliest carried by Wells Fargo from Golconda.
Realized: $220
Lot
143
San Francisco Cal., Sep 1, sharp cds with bold quartered cork cancel on 3¢ pink (U58) rebacked front addressed to Luxembourg, printed "Wells Fargo & Co., Paid" frank and all-over red Mayrisch Bro's & Co. Manufacturers of Cigars illustrated ad showing Indian and store display, red "New York Paid All, Br. Transit, Sep 8" exchange cds, Very Fine and rare Wells Fargo front to Luxembourg; with 1981 P.F. certificate. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $600
Lot
144
Boston Mass., Oct 23, two strikes of cds duplexed with segmented cork cancel tie two 10¢ Yellow (116) singles, strong colors, on blue 1869 Pierce correspondence folded letter to Manila, Philippines in care of Thomas Hunt, Hong Kong, endorsed "Via California", carried transpacific by PMSS America from San Francisco Nov. 4th to Hong Kong arriving Dec. 9th, reverse with "Hong Kong C DE 9 69" transit backstamp, forwarded privately by Thomas Hunt & Co. to Manila, docketed as received Dec. 18th; right stamp with small tears, Very Fine and exceptional use, ex-Walske. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
THE ONLY EXAMPLE FROM THE "MANILA FIND" TO BEAR ONLY THE 1869 ISSUE AND ONE OF TWO ROUTED THROUGH SAN FRANCISCO.
Cover was prepaid two-times the 10¢ transpacific rate per ½ ounce to Hong Kong.
Realized: $6,000