Lot
722 
Sacramento, Cal., 40, Nov 1, oval postmark with integral rate on folded letter to Tecumseh, Michigan, letter (3 pages) is from a '49er to a friend back home and datelined "Feather River in camp Oct 7th 1849," letter includes a brief account of the writer's overland journey to California and ""every man that comes here and makes money makes it by industry, perseverance and economy… the water passages are all taken for at least 30 days ahead to carry back those that are not needed… We have concluded to stay here for the present and try our fortune among the hundreds that are doing the same. Within 80 rods of us there are men not making even $5.00 per day, and then there is a company of 5 men that are clearing from $800. to $1800. per day, and about the towns there are thousands that are sitting around doing nothing spending what they have earned before… I have worked about 3 days 3 of us and we have got in… $80. worth at $16. per ounce", Extremely Fine and singularly rare, the only Sacramento oval postmark with integral rate available to collectors. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Sacramento oval postmarks with integral rate are known used from October 31 to November 10, 1849, with only 3 examples recorded. Sacramento oval postmarks without integral rate were used concurrently. Of the 3 examples with integral rate, 2 reside in institutional holdings that are unlikely to ever be sold.
Realized: $1,250