Lot
489 
Beverly, Ms, "24" May, magenta cds with matching manuscript day and "18¾" war surcharge rating on 1815 folded letter to Hanover N.H., Very Fine and scarce rimless cds. Estimate $150 - 200.
Lot
490
Enfield, Mass., fancy ribbon postmark in black and blue on two folded letters, 1831 black strike with ms. "July 13" date and matching "12½" rating to Lamprey River N.H., 1836 with sharp blue strike with "Apr. 23." date and matching "Paid" arc handstamp and ms. "10" rating to Ashfield Mass.; latter overall toning, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $100
Lot
491
Essex County - Straightline Postmarks, 1821-31, group of 5 comprising 1821 "LYNN. MS. / MAY 7" dark red two-line postmark to Dover N.H.; 1823 "LYNN. MS. / N" bright red two-line with partial date and ms. "9" day; 1829-30 "ISPWICH. MASS." black straightline to Ashfield Mass., 1831 "IPSWICH.MSS.SEP" red straightline with ms. "18¾" rating, and 1821 "SALISBURY, MS. AUG" reddish straightline with ms. "23" date and "Pd 6" rating to Ipswich, F.-V.F. and scarce group. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $260
Lot
492
"Ispwich Ms, April 11th", manuscript postmark and "17" cent rating on 1812 folded letter to Vassalborough Me., endorsed "Dr Odione will do a favour by forwarding this immediately" at bottom left, letter reads "…This morning at half past ten … dear brother Samuel yielded up his spirit to god that gave it…", bold encircled "Death" embellishment; some light staining and wear, Fine and striking mourning letter, ex-Turner, Hahn. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $550
Lot
493
Palmer, July "10", red fancy box forwarding postmark with blue manuscript. "10" day and matching "6" forwarding rating totaled to "16" on 1839 folded letter to, original mailed with red "Hartford Ct., Jul 9" cds and "10" rating, Fine and rare fancy postmark. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
494
Randolph Ms. Oct 31, red arc postmark with matching "WAY" with manuscript "7" rating to Cambridge Mass., letter describes attending a ball; central file fold and light stain, F.-V.F. and scarce way use. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $90
Lot
495
South Amesbury Ms. Mar 12, sharp strike of cds ties 10¢ green, type III (33), additional strike adjacent, on buff cover to San Diego Cal., endorsed "(Via Overland Mail)" at top left; side flap torn, Very Fine and rare town, Scarcity 8; with 1985 P.F. certificate. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $80
Lot
496
(Missouri) " 'Last Resort' Near Weston, July 18th 1857", dateline on 7-page letter signed "Ben" by Ben Holladay to James Denver, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, accompanied by faulty original hand-carried legal-size cover endorsed per "Mr. Waters"; letter concerns secret land speculation with Denver starting: "My Dear Genl, I send the kind Mr Waters, as a special messenger - believing our business demands it, and not wishing to hurt the mails- You can rely on what he tells you about the "Halbria Lands"…He knows nothing about our private matters of course - only knows that we are friends…I feel confident that the purchases already made will make us fifty thousand dollars…", Very Fine and fascinating letter between Holladay and Denver. Estimate $300 - 400.
Ben Holladay was Weston, Missouri's most prominent citizen. He began his career by keeping a log tavern in 1839. From 1841 to 1845 he served as postmaster. Holladay's fortune was based on a contract he secured to supply Stephen W. Kearny's expedition to Santa Fe during the Mexican War. After the war he began freighting over the California Trail. He was a major creditor of Russell, Majors & Waddell. When that firm went bankrupt he acquired it, together with their freighting business and mail routes to Denver and Salt Lake City. In later years the Holladay Overland Stage Line extended branches to California and Oregon.
Realized: $425
Lot
497
(Nebraska) Fort Kearney, N.T., Dec 19 (Nebraska Territory), clear black cds and grid cancel ties 3¢ rose (65), light bend, on 1864 orange cover to Sutton N.H., original 4 page letter accompanies with excellent Indian content, Very Fine, ex-David T. Beals; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Estimate $500 - 750.
Indian content includes, "My company is still doing Garrison duty at this Fort, and is the only Company which is not mounted. The Indians continue to attack the passing trains and killing teamsters and travelers for the sake of plunder. The Commander is frequently sending out scouting parties after them. One party of a hundred is out now after a lot of Indians who lately attacked a train thirty miles west of here. Capt. Majors, our Capt. commands a post thirty-five miles West of here. The Indians have attacked the trains and stages several times during this Fall and he with his men have killed as many as ten or twelve Indians, but they won't leave us yet. Further West Col. Chivington, a Methodist Preacher, had a fight with a large lot, a few days ago, and it is said he killed about 200 of them." .
Realized: $950
Lot
498
(New Hampshire) Hillsboro' Br' NH. "Mar 31", green straightline and manuscript "Mar 31" dating with green "5" rating blue endorsed "Paid" on folded letter datelined "Deering March the 30, 1850" to Charlestown Mass., Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $90