Lot
4403 
San Francisco, Cal. "June 20", straight line handstamp with magenta manuscript date and matching "40" rating at top right on 1849 orange buff cover to Clinton N.J.; some edge wear. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE FIRST DAY OF USAGE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO STRAIGHT LINE HANDSTAMP, ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED FROM THE FIRST CONTRACT SAILING OF THE S.S. PANAMA.
On June 15, 1849 R.T. Allen arrived as the new Postmaster of San Francisco and introduced the first handstamp at the office. The San Francisco straight line postmark was used only on mail dispatched on the third, fourth, and fifth contract sailings from San Francisco to Panama in 1849 comprising the first departure of the S.S. "Panama" on June 20, the second departure of the S.S. "Oregon" on July 2, and the second departure of the S.S. "California" on August 1. The straight line postmark was preceded by manuscript postmarks and succeeded by cds postmarks.
The "Panama" arrived at Panama City on July 12th and the letter was put onto the U.S. Steamship Co. "Falcon" leaving Chagres July 28th and arriving at New Orleans Aug. 3rd. Then by great northern mails reaching Clinton as noted by "Recd Aug 14th 1849". The "Falcon" did not reach New York until Aug. 17th making New Orleans the landfall for this letter.
William Aspinwall's Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company purchased the $500,000 a year contract from the original bidders in 1847. He started his service to Panama in January 1849 with the "California", "Oregon" and "Panama" steamships.