Lot
119 
(San Francisco - Foreign Mail) San Francisco, Cal., 10 Dec, red cds and matching "12½" cent rating handstamp on 1850 folded letter with integral address leaf to Hangtown, California, letter mentions "The steamers "Gen. Warren", "Columbus" and mail steamer "Carolina" arrived here from Panama bringing two-week late intelligence from the states - There are no news of any importance…Dr. Grays Uncle (A. Eastin) has sold out his gambling saloon and is going home on the steamer Isthmus… I called on Gen. the editor of the "Pacific News" and he has given me a permanent situation…", Very Fine, ex-Risvold. Estimate $300 - 400.
Hangtown was established as Old Dry Diggin's in 1848. Because of the influx of riffraff and criminals, who committed robberies and murders, the irate citizens took matters into their own hands and flogged or hanged the perpetrators and by 1849 the place was being called Hangtown. On April 9, 1850 the Post Office was established as Placerville, but it was not until 13 May, 1854 that the town was incorporated under that name.
Realized: $375