Lot
61 
(Los Angeles) Fort Tejon, Cal, 6th April 1860, manuscript postmark (LOS-3320, R7) on cover addressed to Lieut. McPherson at San Francisco, matching "Paid 3ct" rating, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
THE FINEST OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE FORT TEJON MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK.
We record only two examples of this manuscript mark of which this is the finest recorded. This mark has a value rating of 7 by Williams, only three other locations are rated that high in his work on L.A. County.
LA COUNTY INTRODUCTION:
The following group of Los Angeles County covers consists of one of the best collections of rare town locations within the County to come to market. Three of the four known 7 rated rarities locations are part of this grouping. Williams rated nothing higher than a seven in his work. The four towns rated as sevens are the Fort Tejon manuscript, the Fort Tejon small circle, the Sinks manuscript and the Los Angeles Manuscript. Missing from this selection is the manuscript mark from the town of Los Angeles which was used over a longer period than any of the other three. Also present is an unrecorded 1871 Santa Ana manuscript with letter that would have rated a six or seven if it had been known to Williams. The show piece San Pedro envelope is rated as value 6 is also part of this group. Included is the first small circular Los Angeles hand stamp that is rated as a 5. This cover is addressed to Fort Yuma, via San Diego. This cover was carried more than a year before the San Diego to San Antoine (the Jackass route) contract mail route was established and was carried by military courier or express between San Diego and Yuma. Several other fine Los Angeles County cover are included most of which have been off the market for many years.
Realized: $950