Lot
814 
"Santa Fe N.M., February 24th", military adjutant endorsement on 1849 datelined folded letter to Saint Charles Mo., carried military courier on the Santa Fe trail, entered mails with "Westport Mo, 26 March" and matching ms. "10" rating; some edge wear, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The contracts for carrying the mail on the Santa Fe Trail were let by the military authorities in the Quartermasters General's Office at Fort Leavenworth to civilian contractors in 1848 and 1849. The mail service was very irregular during this period, with the cost of each delivery being carried under special contract at $600.00 per round trip. The military maintained their own courier service to Fort Leavenworth were all letters would then enter the U. S. Postal service.
Dr. E. B. Bateman informs his brother Newton of life in Santa Fe, during a very dull winter season where, the main story seems to be about the tragic journey of Col. Fremont, including the death of many of his men during their journey to Taos in a severe winter storm. Fremont crossed from the Plains through La Veta Pass 9,382 feet into the interior valley west of the Sangre de Cristo range then on south to Taos.
This is the tragic story as written by Dr. Bateman: "…Col. Fremont & men were here a few days since en route for California. They were compelled to put into Taos (Tous) for succor, having lost all their mules & ten men from famine & cold & besides nearly all else they possessed they suffered greatly & appeared like shadows of natural men, but in time American spirit, meek, submissive & determined. There is a great spirit here of emigration to the west, numbers have already gone & many more, probably to the number of 100 will emigrate from Santa Fe to the west this spring, highly bound for western California. I have recently been a trip 50 miles blow on the famous Rio Grande, it is a beautiful mountain stream meandering through scenery as Grotesque & lovely as beautiful as any in the world." .
Realized: $5,250
Lot
815
Santa Fe, N.M., 17 Feb, bold Type 5 cds strike with matching gem strike of circled "Paid 6" rating handstamp on blue cover to St. Louis, Mo., endorsed "Via San Antonio" at bottom, otherwise Very Fine and choice prepaid transcontinental use. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $1,350
Lot
816
Santa Fe New Mexico, Mar 1, well-struck cds with matching "10" rate handstamp on blue 1851 folded cover docketed "Maj. Sheppard, 16 Febry 1851" to Waterford N.Y., Very Fine and early use shortly after establishment of the post office, ex-Risvold. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
The first mail contract by the Post Office Department was known as Route 4888. The bid of Dr. David Waldo was accepted on May 11, 1850 for once-a-month service, Independence to Santa Fe, the cost was $18,000 per year. Dr. Waldo's firm was known as Waldo, Hall and Co. The first mail delivery started from Independence on July 1, 1850, and was hailed by the newspapers of the day as a great success. The Waldo and Hall Company carried the mail until 1854 when the contract was given to Jacob Hall commencing August 18, 1854, for once-a-month service at $11,000 per years. This was known as Route 8912. The new contract doubled the compensation, and service was increased to semi-monthly on July 1, 1855, and then set to expire in one year's time.
Major Shepherd was commander in charge of Fort Marcy during this period at Santa Fe.
Realized: $3,250
Lot
817
"Santa Fe, N.M. Nov. 1st", manuscript postmark and matching "Paid 3" rating on circa 1851 cover to Independence, Mo. endorsed "Waldo & Halls Mail" at bottom left; faulty and missing left flap, Fine and scarce Waldo and Halls mail endorsement, ex-Kramer. Estimate $500 - 750.
Beginning July 1, 1850, Waldo and Hall Co. began the first regular mail contract between Santa Fe and Independence, Missouri. This four-year contract called for the stage to depart for and leave Santa Fe the first of every month.
Realized: $325
Lot
818
Santa Fe, N.M., May 1, double-circle postmark with matching "5" rating handstamp on gray 1852 folded letter endorsed "Official Business" to Maj. Gen. W. Towson, Paymaster General, Washington, D.C., datelined letter concerning paymaster accounts "…I inform you that I have sent by Col. Alexander to the paymaster in New York my accounts…", rating handstamp obliterated in manuscript as free military business use, Very Fine, ex-Dike, Risvold. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS SANTE FE DOUBLE-CIRCLE DATESTAMP.
Realized: $2,300
Lot
819
Santa Fe, N.M., 1 Oct, perfect sharp strike of Type 5 cds with matching circled "10" rating handstamp on circa 1853 refolded legal-size manila cover endorsed "Official Business" to the Secretary of the Interior, Washington D.C., Very Fine and choice strike. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $425
Lot
820
Santa Fe, N. Mex., Dec 1, cds with matching "5" rating handstamp crossed out on blue 1853 folded letter endorsed "Official Business" to Lt. Col. B.F. Lane, Washington D.C., letter from paymaster C.H. Fry concerning paymaster matters; mounted on exhibit with Santa Fe trail engraving; some light staining, Fine, ex-Dike, Kramer. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $450
Lot
821
Santa Fe, N.M. (Robbed Mail), 1855 orange buff cover with partial "Santa Fe, Sep 25" cds originally tying 10¢ green adhesive, mail was robbed enroute between Independence Mo. to St. Louis on the Hall contract route, letter opened roughly and partially submerged in the Marie River causing stamp loss, manuscript "Robbed Mail" across top by Jefferson City Mo. postmaster; expected faults, Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A REMARKABLE "ROBBED MAIL" USE ON THE HALL CONTRACT ROUTE FROM SANTE FE, NEW MEXICO TERRITORY.
On Wednesday night, the 24th, the Western mail was robbed at Lisletown, on the Osage river, ten miles from Jefferson City. The bag containing the New Mexico mail was cut and numbers of letter packages broken open. Next day the mail was found in the Marie River, close by. One Charles S. Gilbert, formerly stage-driver, was arrested on suspicion. (from the Daily National Intelligencer of November 2, 1855).
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Realized: $3,500
Lot
822
Santa Fe, N.M., May 27, Type 6 cds on 1861 light buff cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) canceled by matching circular grid cancel to Bristol R.I., docketed "Charles H. Alden, Santa Fe, May 26th 1861" at left, Very Fine, ex-Chase. Estimate $300 - 400.
The type 6 postmark that was in use over a long period of time February 1853 to as late as 1863.
Realized: $300
Lot
823
Santa Fe N. Mex. Jul. 30., bold cds applied as forwarding postmark on incoming 1866 overland mail cover with "Enfield N.H. Jul 11" origin cds and bearing 3¢ rose (65) canceled by matching "Paid" straightline cancel to Lt. Wheeler, Fort Union New Mexico, and forwarded to Fort Selden upon arrival, original contents enclosed, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $500