Lot
796 
"Ft Union, Augt 24th 1851", manuscript endorsement on cover bearing 5¢ brown (1), large margins, small tear at left, tied by black "Washington City D.C. Sep 29" cds on small cover to William H. McParlin at Annapolis Md. from his son Dr. Thomas McParlin, docketed "Received September 30th 1851, William H. McParlin"; some minor scattered stain spots including a couple on the stamp, Very Fine and rare use from Fort Union in the newly-created territory of New Mexico, ex-Worthington, Ackerman (red label on back), Gibson, Sampson (backstamp), Rust, Boker, Gross, Kramer. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE ONLY INTACT 1847 ISSUE USE FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY.
Fort Union was established in July 1851, located near the north junction of the two main branches of the Santa Fe Trail. Military supplies shipped from Fort Leavenworth crossed the plains on the Santa Fe Trail and were stored at the Fort Union depot, where they were distributed to other posts in the Southwest. Dr. Thomas A. McParlin served as the first U.S. Army Surgeon at Fort Union.
There are only two recorded 1847 Issue uses from New Mexico Territory, the cover offered here and another post-demonetization 5¢ #1 use (missing second #1 stamp) from Santa Fe. This cover was franked with the 5¢ 1847 issue by McParlin at Fort Union and sent by military courier to Washington D.C. where placed in the mails and the demonetized 5¢ stamp was forgivingly accepted as prepayment.
Realized: $5,000
Lot
797
"Fort Union, Feb 3rd 52", manuscript New Mexico Territory military postmark with matching pen strokes just tying 3¢ orange brown (10A), large margins to touched, on 1852 buff cover to Annapolis Md., sharp "Baltimore, Md. Mar 8" cds and manuscript "Way" rating, cover was sent by Assistant Surgeon Thomas McParlin and docketed "Recd March 9th 1852, W.H. McParlin", Extremely Fine and remarkable use, ex-Chase, Ball, Walske. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED FULL STAMPED COVER FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY.
Fort Union, was located close to the Santa Fe trail in north eastern New Mexico. Its main functions was to provide military escorts to the monthly mails between Santa Fe and Independence, Missouri. This letter was carried under the first Waldo, Hall mail contract.
Three modes of transport were used:
1. By wagon: Fort Union depart 3 February 1852 via Independence, to St. Louis (arrive 26 February)
2. By steamboat: St. Louis depart 27 February, via Cairo and Louisville to Wheeling, Virginia
3. By railway: Wheeling via Harrisburg, to Baltimore arrive 8 March with "Way" rating and sent on to Annapolis.
Lot
798
"Fort Union N.M., Sept 3rd, 1852", manuscript New Mexico Territory military postmark with matching pen strokes tying 3¢ dull red (11A), rich color, on blue folded letter to St. Louis, Mo., with original lengthy four-page soldier's letter that mentions using chloroform and ether for illness, traveling 100 miles to Santa Fe with stations all the way, etc., Very Fine., Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Meroni. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $3,250
Lot
799
(Fort Union, N.M.) 1855 (May 10) Annapolis, Md. to Fort Union, N.M. Territory, gray folded cover with partial letter bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) tied by two strikes of circular grid cancel, matching "Annapolis Md., 10 May" cds endorsed "Via Independence, Missouri" to Dr. Thomas A. McParlin at Fort Union where manuscript "Ford 5" rating applied for remailing to Annapolis, Very Fine, ex-Kramer. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $750
Lot
800
Fort Union, New Mex., Sep 3, cds cancels 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to Richmond Va., forwarded to Mountain Grove after 30 days with blue "Richmond. Va. '3 Paid' Oct 3" integral-rate cds, enclosed letter written by Mr. I. Mescure dated August 31, 1855 at Santa Fe mentions a dear and good friend Don Manuel Alvarez a person of great importance in the early history of the New Mexico Territory at time of the Mexican War during 1846.; edge faults and soiling, Fine, This was the first cds type of Fort Union. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $375
Lot
801
"Fort Union N.M., Nov. 26", manuscript Type 2 New Mexico Territory postmark ties 3¢ dull red (26) on cover to Altoona Pa., contains letter from Lt. James C. McKee to his dear sweetheart Miss Annie Baker; cover restored and small piece of 3¢ added at top, Very Fine appearance. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lt. McKee was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the U.S. Army in August 1857 and took up his position at Fort Union for several years.
Realized: $160
Lot
802
"Fort Union, N.M., June 21, 64", manuscript postmark and matching small "X" cancel 3¢ rose (65) on light buff 1864 cover to Lebanon, Ohio, endorsed "Via Cincinnati" at bottom left, F.-V.F. and scarce late manuscript postmark, ex-Risvold. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $170
Lot
803
Fort Union, New Mexico, Jun 1866, cds ties 3¢ bright rose (65) on yellow cover to Utica N.Y.; barely reduced at left, Very Fine and choice strike of this rare cds type. Estimate $200 - 300.
The fort was the largest military post in northeastern New Mexico, where six companies of troops were stationed to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail during the many years of Indian uprisings in the 1860's.
Realized: $220
Lot
804
Fort Union, N.M., Sep 21, 67, rimless cds as forwarding postmark on cover with red "Deerfield, Mass. Aug 31" cds and ms. canceled 3¢ rose (65), bottom s.e., on cover to Lieut. Ephraim Williams, 5th U.S. Infantry, Fort Union, N.M. Territory, forwarded to Fort Lyon, Colorado and finally to Fort Harker, Kansas, Very Fine forwarder use. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $260
Lot
805
Fort Union, N.M., Nov 23, 1867, rimless cds just ties middle of three 2¢ black (73) singles, all three cancelled by manuscript "X", on double-weight cover to Captain John N. Conningham, Commanding Post, Monument Station, Kansas; reduced at left and small flaws, F.-V.F. and scarce 2¢ Black Jack use from Fort Union, ex-Risvold. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $500