Sale 108: The Westpex Sale

Lot 968    

(Colusa) Moons Ranch, Cal., Nov 23rd, 1854, manuscript postmark (COL-1280, R5) on buff cover to Springfield, Illinois, with manuscript "Paid 6" rating, with original lengthy enclosure regarding Indians…The Indian agent has reserved a portion Government land, about 25 miles north west from here, for the use of the indians in this vicinity. They are flocking in, in considerable numbers from all directions. They have now over one thousand there and they are still coming. The intention is to civilize them as much as possible…, also tells of bears killing the hogs on the ranch, etc., Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $800

email this lot to a friend

Lot 969    

(El Dorado) Indian Diggings, rimless cds without "Cal." designation and manuscript date (Williams unlisted), on uncancelled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco; partial backflap and some shallow edge nicks at top, F.-V.F., a rare and possibly unique postmark.
Estimate    $250 - 350.

Realized: $350

email this lot to a friend

Lot 970    

(El Dorado) Lake Bigler, Cal., July 20/63, bold manuscript postmark (Williams ELD-2160) on yellow cover to Boston, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by the postmark, few trivial toned perfs, Very Fine, one of the rarest postmarks of California.
Scott Nos. 65    Estimate $400 - 600.

Lake Bigler was the controversial name given to Lake Tahoe in 1854. Named after John Bigler, the third Governor of California (1852-56), by admiring Democrats, but later in part because of his secessionist views, the Indian name came into use during the Civil War, even though the legislature did not make the change official until 1945. There are no official Postal Records for Lake Bigler and there is some question as to whether the site was in California or Nevada.

Realized: $800

email this lot to a friend

Lot 971    

(El Dorado) Placerville, Cal., cds (Williams ELD-2980) just tying manuscript canceled 1857, 10¢ green, type III, scissor cut perfs at bottom, on cover to Washington, D.C., manuscript endorsement "Via Salt Lake" at bottom left, F.-V.F.
Scott Nos. 33    Estimate $500 - 750.

A SCARCE COVER CARRIED ON THE CHORPENNING ROUTE.

Realized: $900

email this lot to a friend