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Sale 55: United States Postal History

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Westward Expansion - Louisiana Purchase

Lots 64-73

Lot 64    

Louisiana Purchase, small group of 4 items comprising two period maps showing French Louisiana, one dated 1802 in color; 1801 Amos Stoddard free frank with New Haven straightline to Philadelphia (Stoddard served as the first American commandant of Upper Louisiana after the purchase); and manuscript "Sergeant Bluff Iowa, Nov 5" postmark on 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Mount Pleasant, Iowa (It was named after Sergeant Charles Floyd, the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die on the journey), Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $240

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Lot 65    

[Louisiana Purchase] New Orleans, 1804 (Mar. 16), dateline on Official French Republic stationery for the Louisiana Colony written by Pierre Clement de Laussat, Colonial Prefect of the French Government, addressed to Labatit, New Orleans City Treasurer, Laussat had been appointed French Commissioner for the transfer of Louisiana, he was also responsible for the closing of French Affairs in the Province, detached address leaf accompanies; some aging and erosion affect signature, Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

The letter in French reads, "The attachment, Sir, that you have shown to me during my stay here for the common Country of our Fathers (Fatherland), the interest that you have expresses to the French Republic's Representative in the various situations where he has found himself, urge me to convey in favor of you (that is "to put at your disposal"), in the name of my Government, a few pounds of gunpowder from our stores: I am pleased, before leaving this country, to leave to you this little pledge of my memory and of the impressions that you have inspired to me. I am honored to give you my salutations, Laussat (signed).".

Realized: $1,050

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Lot 66    

[Louisiana Purchase] "Albert Gallatin", free frank as Treasury Secretary on 1801 folded letter with reddish "Wash. City Aug 13" cds and matching "Free" rating to Steubenville, Northwestern Territory, endorsed "p Pittsburgh Mail"; slight edge toning and some fold splitting, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $550

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Lot 67    

[Louisiana Purchase] "Albert Gallatin", free frank as Treasury Secretary on folded cover with reddish "Washington City May 5" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp addressed to Receiver of Public Monies in Kaskaskias, Ill.; slight edge toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $325

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Lot 68

[Louisiana Purchase] "Albert Gallatin", signature on one page official letter datelined "Treasury Department, October 20th 1804" to Cashier Office in Baltimore, concerning nine sets of exchange on Amsterdam amounting to one hundred eighty thousand Guilders, which amounts to $69,300 that the Treasurer has been directed to remit; folds reinforced, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $270

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Lot 69    

[Louisiana Purchase] N Orleans * June 16, well-struck straightline datestamp with manuscript "25" rate crossed out and with manuscript "Public Service, Jos. Taylor, asst. my. agent" on 1804 folded cover to "Military Agent, Philadelphia", contents discuss receipt of supplies (iron pots); some slight toning, Fine, ex-Henry Mayer.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS NEW ORLEANS PRE-TERRITORIAL POSTMARK.

This was sent during the brief pre-territorial period, which existed from Dec. 20, 1803, to Sep. 30, 1804, before being incorporated as the District of Louisiana (to the north) and Orleans Territory (to the south) on Oct. 1, 1804.

Realized: $1,400

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Lot 70    

[Louisiana Purchase] "N. Orleans 22 Nov. 1803", dateline on folded letter addressed to New York City, endorsed "p. Bellona, Capt. Lymond", manuscript "6" ship letter rating for delivery at arrival port, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

This New Orleans letter is dated a little more than a month before the transfer: "Your government being on the point of taking possession of this Country an extensive field for Commerce opens with your City which opportunity I embrace to offer you my services in this place…".

Realized: $425

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Lot 71    

[Louisiana Purchase] (Northwest Territory) "Cincinnati, 4 Augt. 1801", manuscript postmark with matching "25" rating on folded letter to Captain William Clark in Washington City, Northwest Territory, letter from Col. John Armstrong relating to a lawsuit and Ohio lands; cover faults, Fine and rare Northwest Territory use, ex-Tom Allen.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

William Clark (1770-1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor best known as one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri. Serving with Meriwether Lewis, they led the first American overland expedition across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Coast and back, leaving from Pittsburgh on August 31, 1803, and returning to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. They claimed the Pacific Northwest for the United States. Before the expedition, he served in a militia and the United States Army. In 1809 Clark was appointed brigadier general of the militia, superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Louisiana Territory, and Governor of the Missouri Territory in 1813. During the War of 1812, he led military campaigns and established the first post in what is now Wisconsin. After the war he returned to his position as Superintendent of Indian Affairs until his death in 1838.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 72    

[Louisiana Purchase] Wash. City Mar 23, bold strike of reddish brown cds and red manuscript "20" rating on 1801 folded letter from A.S. Pichon to Giraud as Commissioner of Commerce in Boston Mass., Very Fine, both men were involved in the negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase two years later., ex-Robson Lowe.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $210

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Lot 73    

[Louisiana Purchase] New Orleans 4 May 1792, dateline on Autograph Letter Signed of Baron de Carondelet as Governor of Louisiana to Juan de la Villebeuvre, 2 pp., some folds and few erosion spots, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Cover letter written in French to a request from the new inhabitants of New Iberia asking for a league and a half of land that had been granted to Juan Bautista Macarty, the reason for which is obscured, but is attested as a judicially imposed obligation that is to be fulfilled because the general good is to be preferred to an individual's private interests.

Realized: $575

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Lots 64-73

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