Lot
4040 
Breckinridge C.T., 16th May 1861, manuscript postmark and matching cross-hatch cancels 1857 3¢ dull red (26) on cover to Pecatonica Iowa, original long letter datelined "French Gulch Utah Territory May 12, 1861" from Albert Pillsbury writing to a friend who writes, Direct your letters to Breckinridge Utah Territory,… Excuse all imperfections dirty paper etc considering it comes from the mountains., transcript accompanies; cover reduced slightly at right & professional restoration at lower left, Very Fine and rare. Estimate $400 - 600.
A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THIS BRECKINRIDGE MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK, THE EARLIEST RECORDED WITH THE "BRECKINRIDGE" SPELLING.
Named for Vice President and presidential candidate John C. Breckinridge, the town later changed its spelling to Breckenridge after its namesake's support of the Confederacy in 1861.
The famous French Gulch area, is where gold was discovered by a miner named French Pete in 1860. This valley was abundantly rich in gold, silver, lead and zinc and played a meaningful role in the gold rush of Breckenridge.
Realized: $625