Lot
376 
Sacramento / Oct 23 1849 / Paid / 40, straightline postmark with integral rate marking on folded letter sheet (incomplete contents) to High Creek, Missouri, with red Paris, Missouri, transit postmark, edge faults and fragile with tape reinforcements, some extraneous writing, soiled, Fine, Sacramento straightline postmarks were used intermittently for only three weeks. Estimate $300 - 400.
Sacramento straightline postmarks are known used from October 21 to November 10, 1849, with 8 examples recorded. Sacramento oval postmarks were used concurrently.
Lot
377
Sacramento, Cal., 12 June / 40, large cds with integral rate on cover to Port Byron, New York, also "40" pencil notation and "per Columbus, U.S." (mail steamer) sender's directive, "July 30 got this" pencil docket on the back, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, corner and edge wear, card reinforcement inside., F.-V.F., ex-Salzer. Estimate $100 - 150.
Assuming the sender's directive was followed, this cover was carried on the first departure of the non-contract Law's Line SS Columbus from San Francisco on June 18, 1850.
Realized: $50
Lot
378
Sacramento, Cal., 40, July 10 (Sacramento), bold circular integral rate postmark (Williams SAC-2490) on 1850 folded letter to Bristol, Illinois, matching arched "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "40" rate below, three page enclosure datelined "Sacramento City, 6th July, 1850", cover with a few minor tone spots, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $110
Lot
379
Sacramento, Cal., 19 July / 40, large cds with integral rate plus semicircular "Paid" handstamp and "Paid 40" manuscript endorsement on folded letter to Bristol, Illinois, letter (3 pages) is headed "Sacramento City 17th July 1850" and from a man to his wife at home, the writer describes his want for letters from her with "I went to the South Fork of the American River but had no luck. Learned that a mail from the States had arrived in the City… I left all and started for the City, travelled on foot… under the hot sun for 56 miles, called at the office and was turned away empty, my very soul sickened as the P.M. said none sir", the writer goes on to say he is going to the Yuba River to try his luck again, a bit soiled, paper reinforcements on the folds on the back of the address panel, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Polland. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $110
Lot
380
Sacramento, Cal., 20 July / 12½, large cds with integral rate on cover with the rate crossed out and manuscript "25" rate marking appended, to San Francisco, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, cover cleaned and refolded, card reinforcement affixed inside the cover, Fine, a rare 25c double rate use. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $70
Lot
381
Sacramento, Cal., 28 July (?) / 40, large cds with integral rate (month unclear) plus semicircular "Paid" handstamp on folded letter to Roxbury, Massachusetts, necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, mostly indecipherable letter (2 pages) is from a man in Sacramento to his wife or sister and dated June 29, 1845, which is obviously erroneous as to at least the year, some separation at the folds, Very Fine, ex-Tatham, Vogel. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $60
Lot
382
Sacramento, Cal., 14 Sep / 40, large cds with integral rate plus straightline "Paid" handstamp on cover to Mystic Bridge, Connecticut, undated but necessarily an 1850 use given the postmark type, corner wear, edge stains, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
Lot
383
Sacramento, Cal., Oct 25 / 40, large cds with integral rate struck somewhat lightly so with manuscript "40" rate clarification, on cover to Worcester, Massachusetts, undated but necessarily an 1850 use give the postmark type, one light stain, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Lot
384
Sacramento City, Cal., Dec 13, large serifed cds (type 1) with no rate marking on folded letter addressed locally and presumably handed to the recipient in exchange for two pennies or the equivalent, letter (2-1/2 pages) is from a man to his brother and headed "Placerville Dec 10th 1850", letter mostly describes the whereabouts of various mutual acquaintances, but the writer also mentions "I wrote you soon after your first letter came to hand… and directed to Rough and Ready, Blue Ravine. If you have not received it, you will find it at some express office… I am holding forth in this place under the sign of Curtis and Gillespie… my partner has gone south to open a farm… I mined until I came to his place in July with little success, however it was partly owing to myself that I done no better. I was after the big chunks and disregarded the little ones. We must all live and learn", Very Fine, the only recorded Sacramento drop letter in the 40¢ rate period. Estimate $100 - 150.
Since Placerville had a Post Office when this letter was written, the sender must have had someone or possibly some express carry the letter to Sacramento for mailing. The unmarked 2¢ rate was the 1845 rate for a drop letter. That rate remained in effect even on the Pacific Coast with its other higher rates until all the old rates were superseded by new rates effective July 1, 1851.
Realized: $90
Lot
385
Sacramento City, Cal., two covers; large serifed cds (type 1) and squatty "40" rate handstamp on cover to Mystic Bridge, Ct., with straightline "Paid" obliterated; and large serifed cds (type 2) in red and small "80" rate handstamp in matching red on rebacked cover front to Washington, D.C., intriguing small manuscript "$1-" marking indicating the cover may have been brought in from the mines to Sacramento by express, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.