Lot
760 
Via Panama, wonderful illustrated corner card showing Steamship with imprint "Published by Randal & Co., Marysville" on cover to Knightstown, Indiana, franked with 1857 10¢ green adhesive (Type V) tied by waffled grid of "Marysville, Cal May 19" in blue; the slightest of cover reductions at right just up to stamp (few perfs affected), cover with tiny sealed tear, otherwise Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A DECEMBER, 2020 ARTICLE IN WESTERN EXPRESS BY DAVID D'ALESSANDRIS CATALOGUED THE "VIA PANAMA" COVERS. HIS CENSUS INDICATED NINE OF THESE TYPE B-1 COVERS.
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
761
Via Panama, steamship illustration with imprint of "Geo. H. Bell, Stationer, 153 Montgomery St. San Francisco", on cover postmarked "San Francisco Cal. Apr 20" black cds tying 1857 10¢ green (35) to Newark New Jersey, with addressee's name crossed out; cover w minor scuffs, cover opened on two sides, some glue adhesion on verso, Very Fine appearance.Estimate $300 - 400.
The December, 2020 issue of Western Express contained an article by David D'Alessandris regarding the "Via Panama" propaganda covers. His census records ten of this particular type (A-1) imprinted covers.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
762
Via Tehauntepec, manuscript routing directive on yellow cover to Washington, D.C. originating with "Weaverville, Cal. Jan 1" [1859] black cds and matching arced "Paid 10" rate handstamp, Very Fine and choice, illustrated in Ashbrook Volume 2, page 254.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
In October 1858, a route was contracted as 8162 from San Francisco to New Orleans using a mixed steamboat and overland route via the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico. Contracted at $250,000 for 12 months with twice a month service. The course of the route was by steamboat to either Acapulco or Salina Cruz, then overland by mule to Suchile, then by river boat to Minatitlan on the Caotzacoalcos River and then by steamboat to New Orleans, La. The route was little used as the section over the mountain range by mule created a long transit time. The total revenue collected for the route was just $5,276.66 and the route was not renewed in 1859. From October 1858 to March 1859, the "Quaker City" was used on the New Orleans to Minatitlan portion of the route. A total of 25 covers endorsed as going "Via Tehuantepec" are recorded in the census.
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
763
Via Tehuantepec, manuscript endorsement at upper left of 1853-55 10¢ Nesbitt entire, entered the mails with postmark "New Orleans La Jan 23, 1859", "Steamship" postmark cancels indicium; written by Edwin Stanton (Secretary of War under Lincoln) to his wife in Washington DC; some light wear & aging, F.-V.F.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A SCARCE "VIA TEHUANTEPEC" COVER CARRIED FROM CALIFORNIA, VIA NEW ORLEANS, AND ON TO WASHINGTON D.C.
Current Opening Bid: $375