Lot
129 
(Kern) Tehachipah, Cal., Dec. 23, 1872, clear cds (Williams unrecorded) on 1864, 3¢ pink entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank (WFE-0300) at top, to San Francisco, corner toned at top left, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE "TEHACHIPAH" INDIAN SPELLING TOWNMARK AND EARLIEST KNOWN FROM THIS LOCATION.
During the first period the Tehachipi post office was opened (1869-85) the postal marking named changed four times. From Tehachipah, to Tehachipa, then Tehichipa and finally Tehichipi. This Tehachipah postmark was short-lived and by 1873 the "H" at the end of name was removed from the postmark (creating the Williams KER-4100 postmark which is also unique). Later, after the office changed to Greenwich, the office (and town name) then became Tehachapi.
Realized: $550
Lot
130
(Klamath) Sawyers Bar, Cal., Feb 4th, cds with manuscript date (KLA-90, R4) on cover to Yreka, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by second strike of handstamp, 1863 docketing at left; light cover wrinkling and small stamp flaws, otherwise Very Fine, the earliest recorded example of Sawyers Bar first handstamp postmark. Scott No. 65 Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $240
Lot
131
(Klamath) Trinidad, Oct 12, manuscript postmark (Williams "no postmarks recorded") with "Free" franking on 1851 folded letter to Genl. Jas. Wilson in San Francisco, letter written from mining expedition and docketed "Gold Bluff - Sept 24, 1851, Smith's River a failure" on reverse, Very Fine, one of two known manuscript postmarks from Trinidad and the only example during the Klamath county period. Estimate $250 - 350.
Jason Wilson served as member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and was appointed one of the land claim commissioners for California in 1851, serving in this capacity until 1853. He settled in San Francisco and remained there until 1867.
Realized: $325
Lot
132
(Lassen) Big Valley, Cal., March 15, neat manuscript postmark (LAS-220, R4) on manuscript canceled 1874, 3¢ green entire to Illinois; slightly reduced at left, Very Fine and choice, this being one of two known postmarks from the three year post office. Estimate $250 - 350.
Realized: $210
Lot
133
(Lassen) Chat, Cal., Dec 23, 1890, clear cds (LAS-310) on cover to Cedarville with "Nevada - California - Oregon Railway, Reno, Nev." corner card with red "Amedee, Cal." overprint handstamp, franked with 1890, 2¢ carmine tied by target handstamp, with original enclosure, Very Fine, very rare (photo on web site). Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $260
Lot
134
(Lassen) Coppervale, Cal., 8, 14, 1885, manuscript postmark (Williams unlisted) on cover to Chico, franked with manuscript canceled 2¢ Banknote, receiving backstamp; small cover nicks and slightly reduced at right, still Very Fine, the only recorded postmark from Coppervalle during the second period (unknown from first period). Scott No. 210 Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $150
Lot
135
(Lassen) Evans Ranch, Cal., Mar 7th 1868, neat manuscript postmark (LAS-520, R5) on cover to Illinois, franked with manuscript cancel 1861 3¢ rose; light soiling and small corner flaws, F.-V.F., the unique usage from the Evan's Ranch post office. Estimate $300 - 400.
The Evans Ranch post office operated for only a short time from May 28, 1866 to June 24, 1868. This cover sold in our 2007 Westpex sale for $725 hammer.
Realized: $475
Lot
136
(Lassen) Long Valley, Cal., March 31, neat manuscript postmark (LAS-950, R4) on cover to Maine, franked with manuscript canceled 1869, 3¢ ultramarine; small cover corner nick at bottom right, Very Fine, the earliest recorded postmark from Long Valley. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $180
Lot
137
(Lassen) Susanville, Lassen Co., Cal., Jul 16, 1881, bold T&C cds with fancy Kicking Mule duplex (LAS-1590, R5) tying 3¢ Banknote on cover to Greenville; cover with minor edge toning, an Extremely Fine strike, the earliest recorded example of the Susanville Kicking Mule postmark. Estimate $250 - 350.
This fancy postmark was used only for a short time with known usages between July 16, 1881 and September 20, 1882.
Realized: $300