Lot
30 
San Francisco, Cal., 40, May 15 (San Francisco). Red integral rate cds (Williams SAF-290) on 1850 folded letter to Keokuk, Iowa, manuscript "S.B. Isthmus" steamship endorsement, interesting letter from new arrival in San Francisco…I have just arrived in this wonderful land yesterday 51 days from Panama in a sailing craft, Very Fine, a Rare First Sailing of the Law's Line Non-Contract Steamer Isthmus, ex Vogel. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Although the Pacific Mail Steamship Company had an exclusive government contract to carry the mails, Law offered the San Francisco postmaster the use his ships to convey mail. On May 14, 1850 the postmaster agreed only on condition that the sender's had to indicate carriage by Law's steamers. This agreement was a breech on the government contract and was eventually terminated after five months.
Sent on the first sailing of Law's Line - Isthmus departing San Francisco on May 15th and arriving in Panama on June 16th, then by U.S.M.S.C. - Georgia departing Chagres on June 26th and arriving in New York on July 8th.
Realized: $525