Lot
57 
Kimball correspondence, 1861-63. Approximately 20 covers with original enclosures to Lucy W. Kimball in Portsmouth, N.H. from her boyfriend Robert at the time of his journey out west, he writes from Boston to Lucy lamenting the state of readiness of the War… "there aren?t enough uniforms for the Soldiers" and that he is going to California to make his fortune. Within a couple of weeks, he is on his way and begins with a well written, detailed travelogue of his trip, first from off Santa Domingo, then crossing the Isthmus, next from Capo St. Lucas on the tip of Baja, California & finally arriving in San Francisco. Each letter is easily read & consists of up to 15+ pages. He comments on fears of Jeff Davis? privateers on the boat, of the arduous journey across the Isthmus, and of a stop at Cabo St. Lucas. He observes all, the travelers, the Natives & the living conditions. Once in San Francisco, we learn that as a civil engineer, he finds himself in great demand from the various railroad pioneers in California, who he effectively plays for the best offer. In the Spring of 1862, he goes to the Ophir Mine in Nevada territory & writes a 20+ page travelogue of the early Spring trip over the Sierras in vivid detail. He travels by stage, horseback, snow shoe & on foot telling of his various stops, of a 230 mule team hauling mail, of the Indians and of geographic features. He ultimately returns to California, and in one letter, comments of the lamentable loss of 14,000 boys at Fredicksburg. Throughout his letters, his love for his sweetheart transcends.Philatelically, the group features a spectacular Mexican consular marking, private ship markings, 3 covers franked with pairs of #75 with San Francisco cogwheel cancels. Additionally, the first reported Washoe Nevada territorial cancel (Paher S-10) while located at the Opjhr mines for a brief time. One private ship letter took over 1 year to reach New York where a 1857, 3¢ issue was not accepted and the letter was sent to the dead letter office; condition on covers mixed, F.-V.F. Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
This is certainly an exciting correspondence from a new find touching on the Civil War, early California Railroading, Politics, Nevada Mining, as well as social issues of the day and three long & fascinating travel letters. This combined with the covers, is a correspondence that cannot be duplicated.
Realized: $7,500