Lot
61 
Auraria, K.T., Aug. 2, 1859, straightline postmark ties 1857, 3¢ dull red on cover to De Kalb Centre, Illinois, splendid original miner's letter datelined Golden City, from the Colorado Rocky Mountain gold rush, Very Fine, carried under the short-lived Willis contract to the Auraria postmaster that provided for weekly mails to and from Fort Kearney in exchange for postage only, exhibit page with 1859 magazine clipping of a watercolored woodcut titled "Pike's Peak - Our Camp On Cherry Creek" is included. Scott No. 26 Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THE RARE AURARIA STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK.
Auraria was the forerunner of Denver City on the opposite side of Cherry Creek in what would become Colorado Territory in 1861. The Auraria Post Office was established in January of 1859 and renamed Denver City in February 1860 although there were mail contracts in place only part of the time. The Auraria straightline postmark was used for only one month.
Among other things, the letter mentions mail service: "Lewis got one letter in Denver for me from Emily that is the second letter I have had from home since I left. Lewis the same. We shall be about 40 miles from Denver but we can git our letters every week. from there and the mail goes once a week from there so you must write for I have 5 dollars to spend for letters yet and mean to have more … the letters cost us 25 cents a piece but I can stand it a spell. It costs us to send them 10 cents so I shall send a few to you … ".
Realized: $4,500
Lot
62
Denver City, "Kansas Territory", address on 1855 10¢ Nesbitt entire with "Georgetown, Cal, Aug 29, 1860" origin postmark cancelling, Very Fine, an exceptional Central Overland Route eastbound use after the COC & PPE acquired control of the entire route in June of 1860 and immediately after the Denver City Post Office became operational in August of 1860. Estimate $200 - 300.
This cover was carried from Julesburg on the Central Overland Route to Denver City on a connecting route. This cover must have been one of the last carried to Denver City by the COC & PPE or among the first carried to Denver City by the Western Stage Company during the transition between the two companies. The former did not bid on the mail contract on the assumption they could make more money carrying letters privately. The latter held the mail contract but were slow to get their new line started.
Realized: $725
Lot
63
Denver City, K.T., Sep. 6, 1860, tombstone postmark on incoming cover with "In Care of Hinkleys Express Co" sender's endorsement, bold "Victoria, Ill, Aug 21" origin postmark ties 1857, 3¢ dull red, type III, reduced at right, F.-V.F., no Hinkley marking as a relatively late use but presumably delivered by Hinkley to the addressee in the mines; with 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 26 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $800
Lot
64
Denver City, C.T., Apr 15, 1862, double circle postmark ties 1861, 3¢ rose on Tremont House hotel printed corner card cover to Meadville, Pa., F.-V.F. Scott No. 65 Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $180
Lot
65
Denver City, C.T., Jun 5, 1862, double circle postmark ties 1861 3¢ rose on Civil War patriotic cover to Peru, N.Y., "Zouave! The Defenders of Our Country" design printed in blue and red with Cincinnati printer's imprint; cover reduced at right with minor corner wear, F.-V.F. Scott No. 65 Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $500
Lot
66
Julesburgh, Col T, Jul 12, double circle postmark and 1861, 3¢ rose with target killer on cover to North White Creek, New York, 1865 docket at left, reduced at right just into the stamp, Fine, ex-Bauer. Scott No. 65 Estimate $150 - 200.
Julesburg was an important stop on the Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express (COC & PPE) route in Colorado and the subsequent transcontinental pony express route. Ironically, the town was named after the outlaw Jules Beni who was notorious for stealing horses from the COC & PPE.
Realized: $160
Lot
67
(Dakota Territory) Cheyenne, Dak., Jun 12, cds in vivid green with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by matching green cork cancel on cover to Painesville, Ohio; cover repaired at right and bottom with backflaps partly replaced, Fine, an 1868 use from before Wyoming Territory was created. Scott No. 65 Estimate $100 - 150.
The Cheyenne Post Office was established in Dakota Territory in August of 1867. Wyoming Territory was created in July of 1868.
Realized: $140
Lot
68
(Idaho) Va City I T, Aug 11, manuscript postmark and 1861, 3¢ rose (corner fault) with tied by the postmark and also with pen cancel on cover to Tecumseh, Mich., "Rec'd Oct 9" pencil docket, a bit reduced at left, Very Fine, an 1864 use after Montana Territory was created. Scott No. 65 Estimate $200 - 300.
The Virginia City Post Office was established in the original Idaho Territory in January of 1864 before Montana Territory was created in May of 1864. Virginia City used "Idaho" postmarks until the capital of Montana Territory was moved from Bannack City to Virginia City in 1865.
Realized: $525
Lot
69
(Idaho) Virginia City, Ido, 8 Dec, 1864, uncommonly clear double circle postmark with duplex target killer and "Pd 3" manuscript rate marking on stampless cover to Westfield, Mass.; a bit reduced at left, Very Fine, this postmark type was used only in 1864 and 1865 after Montana Territory was created. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot
70
(Idaho) Ruby City, Idaho, Aug 21, bold cds and 1861, 3¢ rose with target killer on cover to Providence, Rhode Island, mostly erased 1866 pencil docket, Very Fine. Scott No. 65 Estimate $150 - 200.
The Ruby City Post Office was established in 1864 and used manuscript postmarks until 1866. The Post Office was relocated to nearby Silver City and was so renamed in 1867. All that remains of Ruby City today is the weathered remains of some grave markers in the cemetery. The name of the town arose from the reddish color of the silver ore found there.
Realized: $160