Lot
462 
"Geo town June 24", manuscript postmark on 1796 folded letter with matching "25" rating to Newburyport Mass. for over 450 miles, the 25 cent rate for over 450 miles., Very Fine, ex-Siskin. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $450
Lot
463
"GeoTown May 6", manuscript postmark and matching "12½" rating on folded letter datelined "City of Washington May 6th 1793" from Andrew Elliott to A.J. Dallas in Philadelphia Pa., endorsed "On Public Service"; some light toning, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A RARE EARLY USE FROM THE GEORGETOWN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA POST OFFICE.
This letter entered the mails at Georgetown because the post office at Washington was not opened until 1795. At that time it was known as "Washington in the State of Maryland", even though it came under the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia office. Georgetown was the only the settlement in the District of Columbia that has a post office at this time.
This letter is from Andrew Elliott, Surveyor General of the United States, who had laid out the boundaries of the District in 1790. After President Washington (referred to in this letter as "President U.S.") dismissed L'Enfant as architect for the city, Elliott completed the L'Enfant plan. This is the work referred to in this letter: "I should agreeably to my original intention, have been in Philadelphia the beginning of this month, but was prevailed upon by the President U.S. to execute some more work in the City of Washington".
Realized: $1,450
Lot 464
(Washington, D.C.) 1796 Washington City Canal Lottery Ticket, 84x51mm, text states "This ticket will entitle the possessor to one Quarter Part os such Prize as may be drawn to it's Number, in Lottery No. I. for cutting the Canal through the City of Washington to the Eastern-Branch Harbour"; couple small internal cuts, slight toning, still Very Fine.Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $135
Lot
465
"W City 27 Feby", manuscript postmark and matching "8" rating on folded letter datelined "Geo. Town 27th feby 1797" to Baltimore Md., letter written by Gustavus Scott who was one of the original commissioners appoint to superintend the erection of the Capitol building at Washington, rating updated to "16", F.-V.F. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE EARLIEST OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FIRST WASHINGTON D.C. POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS.
When the State of Maryland lent the United States several thousand dollars to begin construction, U.S. credit was so poor that Scott and two others were required to give their personal bonds as security.
Realized: $2,000
Lot
466
"W City Nov 25", manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 12½" rating on folded letter addressed to the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia Pa., Extremely Fine and fresh, prepaid the 12½ cent rate for 100-150 miles. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE FINEST OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FIRST WASHINGTON D.C. POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS.
In the early days of the Washington post office, the postmaster could not afford the cost of a handstamp townmark and applied his own manuscript townmark. Writing out the name "Washington" was apparently too much trouble for him, so he abbreviated the name to "W City".
Realized: $2,200
Lot
467
"W City Apl 19", manuscript postmark with matching "8" rating on folded letter datelined "Washington 18th April 1798" to Baltimore Md., the writer says he intended to call on the addressee while he was in Baltimore, but did not have the stage line fare for the trip back home to Washington and so had to leave early to walk back home, he left Baltimore at 11am on Sunday and arrived home 11pm on Monday "much fatigued"; horizontal file fold, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE LATEST OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FIRST WASHINGTON D.C. POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Realized: $1,500
Lot
468
Wash-City Jun 23, perfect strike of cds with manuscript "20" rating on 1799 folded letter to Boston Mass., Extremely Fine and choice, a very early use of the first standardized cds postmark. Estimate $200 - 300.
In 1799, the U.S. Post Office Department supplied twelve post offices with standardized 26mm diameter postmarks. The offices that received them were Washington and Georgetown D.C.; Alexandria, Fredericksburg, and Petersburg Va.; Augusta Ga.; Newark and Trenton N.J.; Newport and Providence R.I.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Newburyport Ms.
Realized: $575
Lot
469
[Building the City of Washington] Wash-City Feb 4, cds with manuscript "Paid 12½" rating on 1800 folded letter to Philadelphia Pa. from Thomas Law who discusses his part in erecting various buildings for Congress in the new capital city: "I have to apologese for giving you the trouble of selling my Bill, but I did it lest I should not raise money in Baltimore, & thus be obliged to delay my buildings for Congress…", Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $525
Lot
470
[Moving the Federal Documents] Wash-City Sep 28, red cds with red manuscript "25" rating crossed out on 1800 folded letter addressed to Israel Whelen, Purveyor of Public Supplies in Philadelphia, It is from contractor Thomas Waterman who was employed to transport the "public papers" by wagon from Philadelphia to the new capital, Washington, The letter encloses his statement of account for this work; horizontal fold wear, Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $450
Lot
471
Washn. City Mar 16, cds on cover with manuscript "20" rating on 1814 folded letter to Middletown Conn., letter to writer's wife contains no inkling of the disaster about to strike the city, but does briefly mention the war, "I am very impatient to return home. - The longer I remain here the less expectations I have respecting peace - The administration seem determined to have another trial for Canada.", Very Fine and choice use. Estimate $200 - 300.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS WASHINGTON D.C. 25MM BROKEN CIRCLE CDS.
The Washington D.C. 25mm cds is recorded as having been used from 1813 to 1814. It was apparently abandoned in 1814 because the rim of the marking was breaking up.
Realized: $145