Lot
4057 
Australian States: New South Wales, 1853 (Jun. 15) Sofala, New South Wales to Mokelumne Hill Cal., gray datelined folded letter bearing New South Wales, 1d red, 2d blue pair, tied by barred ovals for 5d ship letter from country town, reverse with partial "Sofala" origin datestamp and sharp "Ship Letter, Sydney, JU * 20, 1853" crown cds, carried by private ship via Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, "San Francisco Cal., 14 Sep" cds and partial "Ship" and "7" handstamps for 5¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, sent by stagecoach to Mokelumne Hill; small edge tear and wear, 2d pair with small flaws from edge placement, a Very Fine use, ex-Robson Lowe. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The writer had left California for the mines in Australia, his ship stopping at Polo (Samoa) where "My mate and I selected two sisters and enjoyed ourselves with them in the bush…". A good description of the mines follows with the comment "…women and provisions are cheap and plenty but rum is high…".
Realized: $900