Lot
605 
"Fort Garland, New Mexico, Sept 14 1860", docketing of recipient on fresh cover to Bristol, R.I., franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red, two singles slightly overlapping and tied by "Fernando de Taos, N.M., Sep 19", Very Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A portion of New Mexico Territory was included in the new Colorado Territory with the first four post offices (Conejos, Fort Garland, Huerfano and San Luis) all established on February 25, 1862. In 1860, with no official United States post offices and mail service at Fort Garland, mailed was carried by Military Courier. This letter was taken to and entered the U.S. Mail at Fernando de Taos, N.M.
Realized: $2,000
Lot
606
Golden City K.T. Jun 26 1860, manuscript postmark on cover franked with 1857 3¢ dull red tied by manuscript cancel, small cover erosion holes, one of which affects postmark, F.-V.F. and rare, the only recorded example of the Golden City, K.T. manuscript postmark known, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book, ex Persson. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
This cover sold for $2,300 hammer in our February 2008 auction sale.
Realized: $5,500
Lot
607
Hamilton, K.T., Feb 7 (Unorganized Territory), clear full strike of cds on 1861 cover to Golden City, with matching "Paid" handstamp, Very Fine and choice, a rare usage of the Hamilton K.T. date stamp used after Kansas had become a state on January 29th and before the formation of Colorado Territory on February 28th of 1861. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Hamilton was a mining camp just across the creek from Tarryall. Two examples of the handstamp "Paid" have been recorded from Hamilton.
Realized: $4,000
Lot
608
Missouri City K.T., Nov 10, 1860, manuscript postmark on canceled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to Capt. Wm. Lowell in Stillwater, Minn., with original enclosure datelined "Glenaroe City, Nov 6th, 1860" regarding establishing boundaries for the district, being elected judge of the Miners Court, new discoveries of lead, etc., Very Fine, a rare cover from this short-lived office with only a few pre-territorial manuscript postmark usage known. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
By 1860, prospectors had proven the existence of profitable deposits of gold and settlement was rapidly fanning out westward into the mountains. Thirty miles to the west of Denver City, placer and lode mining on the headwaters of Clear Creek led to the establishment of post offices at Mountain City and Missouri City.
Realized: $4,000
Lot
609
Mountain City K.T., Sept. 22, 1860 manuscript postmark on uncanceled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to Kensington, Conn., indicia showing second albino impression; cover with slight rough opening at right, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
This mining camp was established in Gregory Diggings in 1859. The post office opened January 17, 1860.
Realized: $3,250
Lot
610
(Mountain City, Jefferson Territory, Rocky Mountains), address on 1852, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with manuscript "Summerhill, Sept 8th, 1860" postmark, accompanied by second entire from correspondence with address lacking territorial designation and dated January 5th of 1861; both with sealed covers tears, Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
The resident of the goldfields, unhappy with the great distance to the Kansas Territorial Government, created their own Territorial government which became Jefferson Territory. The federal government did not recognize this action. A few items addressed to Jefferson Territory exist, but there are no postal markings with that designation.
Realized: $260
Lot
611
Tarry All K.T., Nov 1, 1860, manuscript postmark on cover to Vermont, franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red tied by manuscript postmark, with two original enclosures with datelines from Dead Wood with interesting content regarding the post office and postmaster; reinforced backflap separations and some light edge wear, Very Fine appearance, the earliest recorded usage from Tarryall and one of only a few known, illustrated in Jarrett's Colorado book. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
To the southwest of Denver, the discovery of placer old deposits in the South Park led to the establishment of post offices at Tarryall and Hamilton.
Realized: $11,000