Lot
3391 
1862 (February) Victoria, Vancouver Island to Yorkville, Canada West via San Francisco, cover with "Post Office, Victoria V.I." crown oval handstamp indicating British Columbia postage 2½d (5¢) paid in cash, entered mails with "San Francisco, Cal. Feb 27 1862" cds and two 1¢ blue (63) singles, 3¢ rose pink (64b), and 10¢ green (68), all cancelled and tied by cogwheel fancy cancels, "Chicago Ill, Paid 15" circular exchange handstamp, partial Yorkville, AP 3, 62" arrival backstamp; no flap, 1¢ and 3¢ small stamp flaws at top from edge placement, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A BEAUTIFUL THREE-COLOR 1861 ISSUE FRANKING FOR THE 15¢ RATE FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND TO CANADA WEST.
It appears this cover was originally franked with a pair of the 10¢ green, the left stamp was mostly removed leaving the top eight beneath the 3¢ rose pink.
Victoria, Vancouver Island was a most important port. It became a supply center and jumping off point for the Fraser Gold Rush of 1858, and was incorporated as the city of Victoria in 1862. Virtually all mail to and from British Columbia travelled through Victoria.
Realized: $1,600