Lot
736 
Sacramento, Cal., 1 Aug / 12½, large cds with integral rate on folded letter to San Francisco, letter is written in pencil from a woman to another woman and dated April 24, 1850, which must be erroneous as to at least the month given the postmark date, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Sacramento large circular date stamps with integral rate are known used from April 26 to November 29, 1850, with 95 examples recorded. Of the total, 14 examples show the 12½c rate, 75 show the 40c rate, and 6 show the 80c double rate.
Realized: $120
Lot
737
Sacramento, Cal., 10 Aug / 12½, large cds with integral rate plus large oval "Paid" handstamp on cover to Culloma, also "Paid" sender's endorsement, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, Extremely Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $250
Lot
738
Sacramento, Cal., 27 Aug / 40, large cds with integral rate over manuscript "Paid" endorsement plus large oval "Paid" handstamp on folded letter to Hampden, Maine, letter (3 pages) is from a miner to a woman back home and datelined "North Fork Aug 11th, 1850", letter reads in part "Today is the Sabbath and I have sidled myself in the most convenient position I can get (on a stone) for the purpose of writing… We have our dam in the river nearly completed, but the prospect is that we shall not get much gold from it and will remove the anticipated time of my departure from this country for New England still farther into the future", the writer also comments "You know I have not a Post Office at hand, as at home into which one can drop off a letter whenever one pleases, but have to write when I can and send it to the "City" when I have an opportunity", Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $130
Lot
739
Sacramento, Cal., 14 Sep / 40, large cds with integral rate plus straightline "Paid" handstamp on cover to Mystic Bridge, Connecticut, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, corner wear, edge stains, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
740
Sacramento, Cal., Oct 25 / 40, large cds with integral rate struck somewhat lightly so with manuscript "40" rate clarification, on cover to Worcester, Massachusetts, undated but necessarily an 1850 use give the postmark type, one light stain, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
741
Sacramento City, Cal., Nov 20, large serifed cds (type 1, early use) and manuscript "12½" rate marking on folded letter to San Francisco, also red San Francisco, Cal., 30 Dec cds and matching red "2" rate handstamp, which suggests this letter was missent or mislaid for over a month and then the origin postmark and rate were either misread or disregarded and so the letter was treated as a drop letter, letter is headed "Sacramento City Nov 16th 1850" and from an "old friend" to John Caperton, a former Texas Ranger and a Deputy Sheriff in San Francisco, letter (1 page) concerns a collection but the writer also asks "Will you be so kind as to look in the Post Office at San Francisco and see if there is not some letters for me. I've tried writing to the postmaster also the express line, I don't believe either possess any accommodation or are worth a dam… cholera has worsened", Very Fine and an enigmatic combination of rates, this letter has previously been interpreted as having been advertised for 2¢ but that scenario is doubtful since the addressee was a municipal official who surely called for his letters regularly. Estimate $300 - 400.
Sacramento City large serifed circular date stamps--without integral rate and with the official Post Office name with "City" and featuring a serif typeface--are known used from November 19, 1850, onward with 96 examples recorded in the "40" rate period that ended June 30, 1851. In that period, two devices with slightly different letter spacings were used concurrently. Of the total, which includes both devices, 18 examples appear on folded letters or covers sent at the 12½¢ rate, 63 at the 40¢ rate, 9 at the 80¢ double rate, and 6 at other rates.
Realized: $400
Lot
742
Sacramento City, Cal., Dec 13, large serifed cds (type 1) with no rate marking on folded letter addressed locally and presumably handed to the recipient in exchange for two pennies or the equivalent, letter (2-1/2 pages) is from a man to his brother and headed "Placerville Dec 10th 1850", letter mostly describes the whereabouts of various mutual acquaintances, but the writer also mentions "I wrote you soon after your first letter came to hand… and directed to Rough and Ready, Blue Ravine. If you have not received it, you will find it at some express office… I am holding forth in this place under the sign of Curtis and Gillespie… my partner has gone south to open a farm… I mined until I came to his place in July with little success, however it was partly owing to myself that I done no better. I was after the big chunks and disregarded the little ones. We must all live and learn", Very Fine, the only recorded Sacramento drop letter in the 40¢ rate period. Estimate $200 - 300.
Since Placerville had a Post Office when this letter was written, the sender must have had someone or possibly some express carry the letter to Sacramento for mailing. The unmarked 2¢ rate was the 1845 rate for a drop letter. That rate remained in effect even on the Pacific Coast with its other higher rates until all the old rates were superseded by new rates effective July 1, 1851.
Lot
743
Sacramento City, Cal., Dec 23, large serifed cds (type 1) and squatty "40" rate handstamp on cover to Mystic Bridge, Connecticut, also straightline "Paid" handstamp that has been obliterated, "Mail" sender's endorsement, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type and rate, edge wear, a couple tape reinforcements inside, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
Lot
744
Sacramento City, Cal., Dec 31, large serifed cds (type 1) and small "12½" rate handstamp on folded letter to merchant Thomas Whaley in San Francisco, letter (1 page) with business content is dated "December 26, 1850", docket at left, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
After his store burned in 1851, Thomas Whaley left San Francisco for San Diego where he built a house that still stands and has that been called the most haunted house in America.
Realized: $130
Lot
745
Sacramento City, Cal., Jan 7, large serifed cds (type 2) and small "12½" rate and straightline "Paid" handstamps on folded letter to State Senator David F. Douglas in San Jose, necessarily an 1851 use given the postmark type and rate, letter (1 page) with political content is from Attorney General Edward J. C. Kewen and undated, "no 6" pencil notation above the postmark, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $1,200