Lot
1047 
(Unorganized Missouri Territory) "Fort Leavenworth, Dec 17", manuscript postmark and matching "Free" rating on 1835 folded letter to Territorial Delegate Col. George W. Jones at Washington D.C., Very Fine and choice. Estimate $500 - 750.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED "FORT LEAVENWORTH" POSTMARKED USAGES IN PRIVATE HANDS PRIOR TO THE POST OFFICE NAME CHANGE IN 1839.
Cantonment Leavenworth was redesignated "Fort Leavenworth" on February 8th 1832 by War Department General Order No. 11; however, the Post Office Department continued the use of the word "Cantonment" until 1839. Consequently, the postmaster was technically required to continue the use of the word "Cantonment" until the POD rule was changed. However, in late 1835 the postmaster at Fort Leavenworth used the Army designation "Fort" in his townmark rather than the Post Office Department "Cantonment." Six examples used that year are known, but only two of these are in private hands. This is one of those two examples, dated December 17th 1835, carried to Washington under the free frank of the Iowa Territorial delegate to Congress, to whom it is addressed.
Realized: $425