Lot 213
Ft Abe Lincoln, bold strike of circular postmark with matching target cancel on 3¢ green entire to Prof. O.C. Marsh, Yale College, New Haven Conn., docketed "G.B. Grinnell Aug 15th-74" at left, Very Fine and rare, ex-Beals.Estimate $400 - 600.
This cover was written by George B. Grinnell while on an expedition with Gen. Custer to the Black Hills where gold was discover. The addressee, O.C. Marsh was a famous paleontologist at Yale University, who is known for the so-called "Bone Wars". Marsh and his many fossil hunters were able to uncover about 500 new species of fossil animals, which were all named later by Marsh himself.
Realized: $750
Lot 214
Fort Abercrombie, D.T. Aug 20, cds with matching target cancel ties 3¢ dull red (65) on cover to Lt. J.B. Fay at Cincinnati Oh., forwarded to Musonville N.H. with blue "Cincinnati O., Aug 28" cds and matching "DUE 3cts." straightline, ms. "Ans Sept 1" docketing, Very Fine and scarce.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $150
Lot 215
Fort Assinaboine, M.t., Jul 28, 1880, clear bold strike of cds duplexed with star canceling 3¢ green entire to Westchester Pa.; corner nick top left, otherwise Very Fine and choice strike, ex-Beals.Estimate $150 - 200.
Fort Assiniboine was established in 1879 to prevent the return of Sitting Bull and the Sioux Indians from Canada. Note the early spelling of the fort.
Realized: $120
Lot 216
(Fort Buchanan, Arizona) 1860 (Jun. 19) New York N.Y. to Fort Buchanan, Arizona, New Mexico Territory, yellow cover endorsed "Overland Mail Via St. Louis" bearing 3¢ dull red (26), right guideline s.e., tied by "New-York, Jun 19, 1860" cds; minor stain at top, Fine and scarce use carried along the Butterfield Overland Mail route from St. Louis to Arizona.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $700
Lot 217
Fort Fred Steele, Wyo, Apr 2, 1883, bold strike of duplex with target cancel on 3¢ entire to New York City, in care of the Office of the Mexican Southern Railroad, U.S. Grant President, red ms. return address of Capt. W.J. Reed, U.S.A., Fort Fred Steel, Wyoming Ter." at left, Very Fine and choice.Estimate $200 - 300.
The Mexican Southern Railroad was a passenger and freight railroad in Mexico. It was chartered in 1881 by a consortium of Mexican and American investors including former President Ulysses S. Grant. Construction delays plagued the company and by 1885, it was bankrupt.
Realized: $150
Lot 218
Fort Keogh, Mar 30, 1881, Montana., blue rectangular postmark duplexed with Indian Head fancy cancel on 3¢ green entire to Springfield Center N.Y.; original datelined letter accompanies concerning family matters, Very Fine and rare Montana Territory use, ex-Beals.Estimate $500 - 750.
Fort Keogh was established in 1876 after the Battle of Little Big Horn as a base of operations against the Sioux Indians. The use of an Indian Head fancy cancel is quite appropriate.
Lot 219
Fort Towson Oct 2nd 1837 (Indians - Chocktaw Nation), dateline and manuscript "Paid 25" rating on folded letter from Fort Commandant, Frederick Vose, to his sister in Boston Mass., forwarded to Milton with red "Boston Nov 10" cds and red manuscript "6" rating, cross through of "Paid 25" rating and address, letter on personal matters including recent deaths in the family, Very Fine and scarce, ex-Alexander.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $375
Lot 220
Fort Wingate, N.Mex., Mar 13, 1883, bold strike of fancy Dyke type 3 cds and encircled star cancel on 3¢ green entire to Cincinnati Oh.; original datelined letter accompanies reading in part "…Mr. Frank Cushing, the anthropologist came over from Zuni two days go, and I made arrangements with him to buy the collection you desire. He said fifty dollars would buy a splendid collection including two blankets in the loom, - things necessary to show their work. I will go over myself the latter part of April & take charge the articles and ship them to your address. I only returned from Ft. Seeden a few weeks ago…" and "P.S. Mr Cushing said he would esteem it a great favor to assemble this collection for you - and I know he can do much better than anyone else, and the collection will be satisfactory to you.", Very Fine and interesting letter about buying Zuni Indian blankets from Cushing, ex-Dike, Beales.Estimate $200 - 300.
Frank Hamilton Cushing (1857-1900) was an American anthropologist famous for his study of Zuni Indian culture. Cushing was an expert on the process of making various Native American artifacts and a pioneer in anthropological study of a culture by living among its people.
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Lot 221
Fort Wrangle Alas. Apr 2, readable strike of cds on on cover bearing 3c green (158) horizontal pair tied by four-ring target cancel on cover to Oswego N.Y.; small opening tears at right, otherwise Very Fine and rare use, ex-Beals.Estimate $500 - 750.
After the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, Alaska was administered by the U.S. Army. Due to sparse population, it was not organized as a territory until 1918. Variously spelled Wrangel, Wrangle or Wrangell, this small fort did not have a post office until 1871.
Realized: $575
Lot 222
(Mexican-American War, 1846-1848) "Consulate of the US, Vera Cruz 12 Dec 1845", dateline on blue folded letter from U.S. Consul F.M. Diamond to Lt. Gov of R.I. Byron Diman at Providence, carried by private ship to New York, entered mails with bold red "New-York, Ship 7 cts, Jan 8" integral ship cds, interesting content reads, "…Our minister reached the city safe without being robbed. I have every reason to believe that our affairs with Mexico will be amicably settled…", Very Fine, This was sent 5 months prior to the Mexican-American War breaking out.Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $160