Lot
244 
Oregon City O.T. Nov. 20. Manuscript postmark (type 1) and "Free" in sender's hand crossed out and rated "40" by postmaster, on cover to North Fairhaven, Mass., the 40 cent transcontinental rate ended July 1, 1851 and could be either prepaid or collect - in this case collect, sender was Avery C. Clark, an early Portland merchant writing to his father Cyrus Clark in North Fairhaven Massachusetts - an 1851 40 cent rate cover from North Fairhaven addressed to Avery C. Clark in Portland is recorded. Manuscript Oregon City markings are recorded from 29 June 1849 until 20 October 1849 (latest), the first cds device, type 2, being recorded used from 29 October 1849. This cover has no year-date but the November 20 date indicates an 1848 or 1847 date, at which time there was no post office in Portland (13 miles from Oregon City) for Clark to mail a letter. Portland's post office opened in early November 1849. Assuming this is an 1848 or 1847 use, it is the earliest recorded postal cover from Oregon. No 1847 or 1848 Astoria or Oregon City postmarks are recorded; slight staining but one of the most important Oregon territorial covers, F.-V.F. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $1,450