Sale 129: The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal History

Lot 1030    

Fort Lupton, C.T., Sept. 6, 1867, manuscript territorial postmark on cover to Grand Rapids, Mich., franked with manuscript canceled 1861 3¢ rose (65, blunt perfs at right), some soiling affecting postmark & small corner repair at bottom left, Fine, ex-Chase.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

This early fur trading post was established in 1836 on the south side of the South Platte River. It was revived as a stage stop on the road to Denver and obtained a post office in January 1861 while still part of Nebraska Territory. It became part of Colorado Territory the next month.

Realized: $90

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Lot 1031    

Fort Sedgwick, Col., Feb. 7, cds with manuscript day, on small cover from the "Steele" correspondence to Washington, D.C. franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) cancelled target, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Fort Sedgwick was established to protect the inhabitants of old Julesburgh against Indian raids. A hardship post, many of its buildings were nothing more than sod huts. The post office operated from 1866 to 1869 only.

Realized: $90

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Lot 1032    

Fountain, Col, Feb 25, manuscript postmark on 1864 3¢ entire to Vermont, slight reduction at right, Very Fine, This is the only territorial cover known from Fountain, a small Quaker farming hamlet., this cover from Fountain realized $1200 in our Sale #28, Lot #104.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $210

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Lot 1033    

Four Civil War Patriotic Covers from Colorado Territory, lot of two covers & two fronts all with patriotic designs, three are from Mountain City and one from Spanish Bar, the Spanish Bar cover is a front with a patriotic label affixed, others with printed designs, all with some defects, Fine, a rare group of Patriotics used in Colorado.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Complete images:
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Realized: $400

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Lot 1034    

Georgetown C.T. Sept 16/67, manuscript territorial postmark ties 1861 3¢ rose (65) on cover to Iowa, slight reduction at right, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $90

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Lot 1035    

Georgetown, Colo, Nov 22 (Jarrett No. 116) cds ties 1¢ blue (63) on locally addressed drop letter; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine and scarce Colorado Territorial Drop use, ex-Pacetti.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

The Georgetown, Colorado post office was established on June 18, 1866. This cancel was used between May 2nd 1870 and October 18, 1875, which would make this a late use of the 1861 1¢ issue. Selected images:
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Realized: $190

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Lot 1036    

Golden City Aug 26/61, manuscript territorial postmark as forwarding marking on buff cover originating with cds "Oquawka Ill. Aug 8" tying 1857 3¢ Dull Red to Golden City Colorado, forwarded to Adams Co., Iowa; with "Ford Due 3 cts" added at Golden City; portion of bottom backflap missing, corner fault at bottom left, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Golden City was one of the early Clear Creek mining camps. The post office opened April 6, 1860, while still in Kansas Territory. The name was shortened to Golden in 1876.

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Lot 1037    

Greeley C.T. Jun 13, black manuscript postmark with day on nose of 1869 3¢ ultramarine (114) on neat cover to N.Y., Very Fine and choice, ex-Jarrett.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

The Greeley Post Office was started on April 21st 1870, to serve the postal needs of the new town settled by the New York organized Union Colony. It took its name quite naturally from its sponsor, Horace Greeley, famous editor and owner of the New York Tribune.

Realized: $80

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Lot 1038    

Group of ten covers from one correspondence, Colorado Territory (2x), Montana Territory (6x) and Salt Lake City (2x), all on yellow or orange covers franked with 1861 3¢ rose adhesive (#65) addressed to Swett family members in Canaan, N.Y.; two with "Black Hawk Point Col" double circle datestamps (Jul 8 64 and Oct 4 64); one with "Virginia City Montana Jan 8" (no year date); five with "Helena Montano" cds's year-dated from pencil docketing ranging from Sep 24, 1867 to Jun 8, 1869 (franked with 3¢ 1869 issue adhesive), and two with "Salt Lake City U." double-circle cds's (Oct 6 68 and Nov 20 68), some minor adhesive flaws (except 3¢ 1869 defective), Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

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Realized: $525

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Lot 1039    

Hamilton K.T. June 26 [while Colorado Territory], black cds on cover to Missouri franked with 1857 3¢ dull red cancelled by target cancel, bottom left corner of cover replaced, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

The Hamilton post office had opened July 20, 1860, while still in Kansas Territory, and K.T. postmarks continued to be used in many early Colorado Territory offices. Hamilton was a mining camp just across the creek from Tarryall.

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Realized: $475

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