Lot
3408 
(Via Panama) 1850 (Aug. 13) New York N.Y. to San Francisco, Cal., blue folded letter bearing 10¢ black (2) horizontal strip of four, pos. 77-80R, large to huge margins including part sheet margin at right, except slightly in at bottom left, tied by red grid cancels, matching red "New-York, Aug 15" cds, carried endorsed by U.S. Mail S.S. Georgia from New York to Chagres arriving Aug. 22nd, then overland across Panama, then per P.M.S.S. Panama Sep. 1st to San Francisco, docketed "Rec Sept 23" on reverse; file fold lightly affects right stamp, third stamp tiny tear, Very Fine, ex-Seybold, Kapiloff; with 2012 & 2016 P.F. certificates. Estimate $50,000 - 75,000.
A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COVER, PROBABLY NOT MORE THAN SIX 40¢ RATE COVERS KNOWN IN ANY CONDITION.
Effective July 1, 1847, Congress provided for a 40¢ rate from the "East, to or from Astoria, Oregon or California". As there was no Overland Mail Contract, all government mail went by ships "via Panama".
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Realized: $45,000