Lot
408 
(New Mexico) Fort Union, N.Mex, Feb 9 (Mora), intense bold strike and partial adjacent tie 3¢ rose (65) single and pair on cover to Portsmouth N.H.; right 3¢ couple perf flaws, reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Fort Union was eight miles north of Watrous and the ruins are a National Monument on NM 161. It was built in 1851 to protect traffic on the Santa Fe trail. At one time it was the largest fort in the Southwest with a peak strength of about 3000. The coming of the railroad in 1880 and the shifting of the Indian problems to the south led to its abandonment.
Realized: $100
Lot
409 ()
(New Mexico) "Frontera P.O., Jany 20th/52, Texas", beautiful magenta manuscript postmark with two 3¢ orange brown (10) singles, both with nice margins and rich color, on fresh cover front to Col. C. K. Gardner in Washington D.C., letter sent from his Lt. George C. Gardner; reduced slightly, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED COVERS FROM FRONTERA, NEW MEXICO.
The outpost of Frontera was established as a New Mexico territorial post office (spelled "Frontero") on April 17, 1851, but was discontinued March 12, 1852. Some say it was destroyed by Apaches; others say it was abandoned due to flooding by the Rio Grande River. Frontera was located northwest of El Paso, Texas, about eight miles on the east side of the Rio Grande, which places it within the Texas boundary. It was an astronomical observatory used by the Boundary Commission during its operations in this district. Lt. Gardner, who sent this letter and cover, was a clerk for Major Emory's survey of the Rio Grande in August 1851.
Realized: $280
Lot
410
(New Mexico) "Gallinas Springs, Jany 20/76", manuscript postmark with matching pen cross-hatch canceling 3¢ green entire to Friendship N.Y., return address of first postmaster James E. Whitemore at left; reduced a bit at right, otherwise Very Fine (Type 1, Rarity 8), the only recorded type 1 and the earliest postmark of Gallinas Springs. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $180
Lot
411
(New Mexico) "Socorro, N.Mex Aug 4", manuscript postmark (Type 1, Rarity 9) on legal-size cover endorsed "Official Business" at top right to Hon. John W. Denver, Member of Congress, Washington D.C., this cover originally contained a Fort Craig Aug. 2nd 1856 datelined letter that no longer accompanies; some edge wear and small tears, Fine and scarce, the Earliest Recorded Use from Socorro. Estimate $150 - 200.
Socorro was an Indian pueblo originally. The inhabitants went south during the 1680 Pueblo Rebellion. By about 1815, a Mexican settlement was in the area and had a land grant from the Spanish crown. It was a stopping place on the Camino Real to Santa Fe from Mexico City. The post office was established September 28, 1852.
Lot
412
(New York) L.I. Rail Road, 2 folded letters's, ea. with somewhat light red cds's, rated "5" or "10", one datelined "Sayville" other "Cold Spring" (1849), latter cover with light water staining along file-fold, Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $160
Lot
413
(Oregon) Charles H. Burch Correspondence, 1845-52, group of five stampless folded letters addressed to Charles Burch in Oregon territory from his sister in Missouri; first a 1845 lengthy 4 page letter from his sister Charlotte in Chariton Co., Mo., hand carried (no postal markings) trail letter simply address to Oregon, next a similar 1847 hand carried letter along the Oregon trail and endorsed "Present by S.B. Burch" from Missouri, again written by his sister with letter noting that his brother is leaving shortly (no doubt with the letter), third letter of May 1851 addressed to "Oregon City, Oregon Territory" entering the mails with red "Glasgow, Mo., Jun 18" cds and manuscript "40" transcontinental rating, last two letters of August 1851 to Oregon City and June 1852 to Lafayette, Yamhill, Co. entering the mails with manuscript "Chillicothe, Mo." postmarks and matching "10" ratings; early letters showing signs edge aging and wear with later letters to a lesser degree, Fine, a rare five letter correspondence to Oregon Territory, accompanied by detailed biography. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Charles Harold Burch (1828-1904) born in Sheridan Co., Missouri, at the age of 16 made the long and difficult journey across the plains, joining and emigrant train to Fort Bridger, Wyo., then left the party with which he had traveled with and came on into Oregon, being one of the first white emigrants to land in Oregon City.
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Realized: $1,450
Lot
414
(Oregon) Portland, O.T., Jan. 24, 1859 (Multnomah), cds (Whittlesey #4, R B) on stained cover to London with manuscript pencil "58" paying the double West Coast rate, endorsed with forwarding instructions to Ireland if not found in London, backstamped with London arrival & rare "Art-5/Br. Pkt." handstamp (The ART-5 marks were used to indicate post office exchange accounting between the USA and Great Britain under the Anglo-American postal treaty of 1849.), reduced at top with part of flap torn away, Fine, a scarce postmark as this is only known in the Territorial period from Nov 22, 1858 - Feb. 13, 1859. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $450
Lot
415
(Pennsylvania) 1768 Philadelphia, Pa. to Westover, Md., folded letter sheet to "Joseph Pemberton, at Philip Thomas's" with red two line "Phila, Delphia" handstamp and rated "2/6" in manuscript, docketed "From My Father I. Pemberton, received June the 6th 1768"; some light toning, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $475
Lot
416
(South Carolina) Charles Town to London, England, folded letter sheet addressed "To the Secretary to the Society for Propagation of the Gospel - to be left at his Grace the Arch Bishop of Canterbury's Library near St. Martins in the Fields - London" with manuscript "4" pence rating, reverse with "AP/3" Bishop mark and "Church Warden's & Vestry, Charles Town, South Carolina, 30th of Nov 1716, recd 26th of April 1717" docketing, Very Fine, certainly among the earliest known letters from South Carolina, ex-Meyer. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $350
Lot
417
(Washington) Port Madison, W.T., manuscript town postmark tying 1861-63, 2¢ black + 3¢ rose + 10¢ green (73+65+68) paying 15¢ rate (over 3,000 miles) on cross border cover to Chatham, Canada, Montreal, C.E. split ring 12/19/66 backstamp; minor stamp flaws, Fine, a very rare usage from Washington Territory. Estimate $300 - 400.