Lot
1149 
Ft. Selden, N.M. Jul 1, 1882, bold purple cds as forwarding postmark on cover bearing 5¢ blue (179) canceled by cork duplexed with "Ripon Wis. Jun 27" cds to Hermosilla, Mexico, endorsed "Via Tucson Arizona" at bottom left, ms. "Missent" marking at left and "Minas Prietas" added to address; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, The Earliest of Only Two Recorded Examples. Estimate $150 - 200.
Fort Seldon (Dona Ana County) operated from May 16, 1881 to May 2, 1891 when name changed to Leasburg. The La Junta & Deming Route Agent would normally have carried this letter, but it was apparently transferred to the Albuquerque & El Paso RPO at Albuquerque or Rincon and the error found upon reaching Selden. Postmaster Elon G. Smith (1881-1883) would have sent it back the 16 miles to Rincon to take the next train to Deming and further where it would have gone to Nogales and transfered to the Sonora Railway for transport to Hermosillo and Minas Prietas.
Realized: $130