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![Camp near Fort Laramie [Wyoming] May 30th, 1852. Dateline on ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v535.jpg)
![Camp near Fort Laramie [Wyoming] May 30th, 1852. Dateline on ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v535a.jpg)
Camp near Fort Laramie [Wyoming] May 30th, 1852. Dateline on ...more
Camp near Fort Laramie [Wyoming] May 30th, 1852. Dateline on four-page letter with cover (which may not have been used to send the letter) postmarked with black cds "San Francisco Cal. 1 Sep" tying horiz. pair of 1851 3¢ dull red with correct addressee (same as salutation on letter) in Chester, Illinois; letter reads, in part, "...I have not written to you from Fort Kearney...we then went to the Fort and mailed our letters it was then determined to go three miles past the Fort and camp until monday & I intended to write on Sunday to you and carry my letter to the fort but we were unable to find wood or grass and consequently were obliged to go farther...am now 8 miles from Fort Laramie in good health, fine spirits and as happy as men generally git to be on this earth. I have an idea you would hardly know me I am nearly as dark as an Indian...we have averaged 22 miles a day since we left Salt Creek which is 3 miles from Fort Leavenworth...I have seen several very pretty women on the road (most of whom are going to Origon) but have not talked with any of them the sight of a pretty woman is good for a man in bad health out here...write upon the reciept of this direct to Sacramento City...A. Taylor."; cover with edge and corner wear, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400
![Auction]](/en/images/philasearch/ico_people.png "Auction")
Fort Laramie (Wyoming) July 9 1849. Dateline on bluish four-page ...more
Fort Laramie (Wyoming) July 9 1849. Dateline on bluish four-page folded letter addressed to Mr. G.S. Palmer, Athens, Maine, with red "STEAM 10" handstamp of St. Louis; interesting contents read, in part, "...It may be interesting to you to know what we are doing out here, and to many others, and the mail goes out tomorrow, you may want to know how long it will take a letter to go across the continent allmost. I wrote to the P.M. the 20 of May...We arived at Fort Kerney the 17 June its former name Fort Charles- left the 20 arrived here 8 july...Fort Kerney is on Platt at the head of grand Island three hundred miles from Ind. It is a government post, twenty mud houses three companys of soulders to protect emegrants...the cholera has followed emigration to this place It has fritened the Indians away all most Graves strew the way between here and Ind. Looks like a graveyard in some places. Government has just bought this Fort It is now a government station some soulders here to protec emigrants...Had it not been for the cholera we should been four hundred miles father along we have lost four of our party died of cholera...[unsigned]", edge wear and toning at folds of paper, Fine, One of the very earliest letters from Fort Laramie by an emigrant crossing the plains. Great content. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500
![Ft Larama [Wyoming] June 8th, 1850. Dateline on four-page folded ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v537.jpg)
![Ft Larama [Wyoming] June 8th, 1850. Dateline on four-page folded ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v537a.jpg)
Ft Larama [Wyoming] June 8th, 1850. Dateline on four-page folded ...more
Ft Larama [Wyoming] June 8th, 1850. Dateline on four-page folded letter; entered the mails with manuscript "Jackson Point Mo. Aug 19" postmark and matching "10" rate manuscript to Kentucky; great trail letter from emigrant reads, in part, "...we have been travling every day for upwards of one month we are now at Larama six hundred & fifty miles from St. Jos or the point we started from. We have averaged about 22 miles per day...I see any number of wagons scatterd along the road I think that the many sights that I have seen has very well rewarded me for my trip so far. I do not know how the remainder of the trip will go. there has been from May the 1st up to the 7th of this month 15,145 men, 193 women and 192 children Passed this post for Cala and I don't beleve theres one half passe yet...our next Breech will be Ft. Hall which is about three hundred mils from this Post...Jas C Porter", light toning at cover folds, F.-V.F., Pencil notation on verso indicates "unique" Jackson Point, Missouri manuscript postmark. Estimate; $300 - 400
(Trail Letter) Fort Laramie June 10 1859. Dateline on letter only (no ...more
(Trail Letter) Fort Laramie June 10 1859. Dateline on letter only (no cover) with contents, in part, "...We arrived here last night after tramping up the monotinous Platte Valley for nearly four weeks without the slightest variation in scenery. I have been very anxious to reach here for some time in hopes of hearing from home. I paid a dollar to cross the river on a raft last night and run a great risk of being drowned to get to the Post Office and then found excellent centering neither letter or paper, since which I have felt like crying, and swearing alternately. I see no way now of hearing from you untill next fall. If you receive this by the fourth of july write immediately and direct to Placerville (Hangtown) and the letter will get there by the time I do. If you do not receive it so soon direct to Marysville...Seeing some buffaloe on the sand hils about six miles from the road one morning just as the train was starting out I sent the train on and with Mr. Shrake and two others and two horses we started after them expecting to overtake the train at noon. We followed the buffaloe back for about ten miles when we came in sight of an immense herd of at least one thousand...It seems as though the whole world was on the way to California. There is no end to the big droves of cattle that are going across and three fourths of all the Pikes Peak People are going through...Frank,", Very Fine and an outstanding trail letter. Estimate; $300 - 400
![Pacific Spring [Wyoming] July 11th 1847. Dateline on four-page folded ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v539.jpg)
Pacific Spring [Wyoming] July 11th 1847. Dateline on four-page folded ...more
Pacific Spring [Wyoming] July 11th 1847. Dateline on four-page folded letter with manuscript postmark "Oregon Mo. Aug 19 / 47" and matching "10" rate addressed to Ohio, letter reads, in part, "...You will see from the superscription of this letter that I have at last arrived upon the waters which run to the west (or rather S.W.) as I presume I am upon the waters of Green river on the Great Colorado of the west, which empties itself into the gulf of California. We have passed the summit of the Rocky mountains...I embrace the opportunity of sending a short note by Mr. Finley of Illinois who has spent sometime in Oregon and is returning to the States (as called) and about to spend the evening with us and who had the kindness to offer to bear the same to the nearest P. office upon his route home...At Kansas (or Kaw) village the indians stole 4 of our cattle. We detained 2 days in making efforts to recover them, but finally failed...also to pass though the territory of the Pawnee indians- the worst tribe on the route- our road was good...At Laramie we were among the Sioux indians. They stole one horse from our company & perpetrated some minor thefts but upon the whole they are the finest specimens of the indian that I have seen...Upon Sweet Water we found 140 armed Mormons under Capt. Brown being a detachment of the Mormon Battalion taken into the U.S. service last season...Mr. Finley & companions like Oregon well. They are going back I never felt better. This is hasitly written with the paper lying on a meal bag...J.S. Snook[?]", light wear and toning at folds with some minor separation, F.-V.F., this cover is the subject of an article written by Dr. Milgram for the Dec. 2020 issue of Western Express. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. A RARE AND EARLY TRAIL LETTER DESCRIBING IN DETAIL THE ARDUOUS TRIP UNDERTAKEN IN 1847. Pacific Springs - an extensive marsh in a bleak, dry landscape is in a low place just west of South Pass. For emigrants on the Oregon Trail, it was the first source of good water after crossing the Continental Divide. From the east-flowing rivers and streams they had followed for so many miles, the pioneers had finally arrived at water that would end up in the Pacific Ocean.The town of Oregon, Mo. was established in 1841. The name refers to the Oregon Country, which was at the time considered a prime destination of pioneer emigrants passing through the area. A post office called Oregon has been in operation since 1843. It was a significant trading post in the Platte Purchase region of Missouri for the first couple of decades of existence
BUFFALO(Johnson County)WYOMING TERRITORY-Sc#210-FANCY STAR IN A
STAR ...more BUFFALO(Johnson County)WYOMING TERRITORY-Sc#210-FANCY STAR IN A STAR CANCEL-188?/MAY/8-TO BIG HORN WY-SCARCE USAGE-REDUCED A BIT AT LEFT-minor wear-toning(reverse).....a82109
RAWLINS WYOMING. 1931 badly charred cover that was on the Omaha ...more
RAWLINS WYOMING. 1931 badly charred cover that was on the Omaha &
Ogden Train 5 on September 19 1931 when a fire broke out in the
mail storage car between Hanna and Rawlins. This was caused by a
spark from the locomotive falling against the mail car. Mail was
damaged both by fire and water. This cover has a three line label
attached, the print being small. Uncommon
RAWLINS WYOMING. 1931 badly charred cover from New York to
Portland, ...more RAWLINS WYOMING. 1931 badly charred cover from New York to Portland, Oregon, that was on the Omaha & Ogden Train 5 on September 19 1931 when a fire broke out in the mail storage car between Hanna and Rawlins. This was caused by a spark from the locomotive falling against the mail car. Mail was damaged both by fire and water. This cover has a three line label attached, the print all in capital letters. This label is rare and not recorded by Hoggarth & Gwynn
1923 CASPER WYOMING. On the evening of the 27th September ...more
1923 CASPER WYOMING. On the evening of the 27th September the
Colorado and Southern Railroad Train No. 30 fell through a washed
out bridge at Coal Creek 15 miles east of Casper, killing 31 of the
66 passengers. Very heavy rains (nearly a quarter of the annual
rainfall) had fallen in the previous two days and as a result the
normally dry creek had turned into a raging torrent 75 feet wide,
the strength of the water preventing passengers from escaping the
wreck. Recovered mail received a three line cachet ‘Salvaged From /
Coal Creek Wreck / Near Casper, Wyo’ This cover to Des Moines,
Iowa, was posted in Casper at 7pm on the 27th September. A picture
post card of the flooding and train wreck accompanies the cover.
Fine and very uncommon
![Ft Laramie O.R. [July 1, 1851]. Crude black circular handstamp (no ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v1241.jpg)
Ft Laramie O.R. [July 1, 1851]. Crude black circular handstamp (no ...more
Ft Laramie O.R. [July 1, 1851]. Crude black circular handstamp (no date) with matching straight line "PAID 3" rate marking on brown cover to "Mr Pardon Brown, Middletown, R.I.", part of the well-known Pardon Brown correspondence, whose contents still exist (separated from the covers) and thus help date this cover to July, 1851. Noted as "Recd August 14th"; small ink erosion spot at left, flap with hinge reinforcement/repair, F.-V.F. Estimate; $750 - 1,000. THESE RARE FORT LARAMIE "OREGON ROUTE" POSTMARKS ARE NOTORIOUSLY POORLY STRUCK. A Post Office at Fort Laramie on the Oregon Route or Oregon Trail across the plains was established in 1850. The Post Office was located in unorganized territory but attached to Oregon Territory for administrative purposes and was the last Post Office on the Oregon Trail going west
South Pass City, Wy. Ty. 1869-1870. Three covers all with original ...more
South Pass City, Wy. Ty. 1869-1870. Three covers all with original enclosure from South Pass City, WY. TY.; the first is postmarked "South Pass City, Wy. Ty. Jul 19 69" and franked with 1867 3¢ Grilled issue tied by target cancel, on lady's cover to Vermont with enclosed letter of personal contents only; the second is postmarked "South Pass City, Wy. T. Jan 14" (1870) black cds with grid tying 3¢ 1869 issue on cover to Pennsylvania, letter datelined "Shoshone Agency Jany 9, 1870" from soldier with news of hunting, etc.; and last is postmarked "South Pass City, Wg. Ty. Mar 14" (1870) black cds on 3¢ 1869 issue on cover of same correspondence as prior with similar letterhead and similar contents except for additional note of a white man killing an Indian; three different South Pass City postmarks in roughly nine month period, the middle type being the rarest, Very Fine. Estimate; $400 - 600
Fort Fetterman, Wyo. Two covers with different postmarks of Fort ...more
Fort Fetterman, Wyo. Two covers with different postmarks of Fort Fetterman, one in blue on 3¢ entire with 3¢ Bank Note to Fort Bridger and one with double circle postmark franked with 3¢ Bank Note, both a bit reduced, Fine. Estimate; $100 - 150
![Fort Laramie, O.R. Jun 15 [1852]. Weak crude black cds (as is nearly ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A00039/S129/v1240.jpg)
Fort Laramie, O.R. Jun 15 [1852]. Weak crude black cds (as is nearly ...more
Fort Laramie, O.R. Jun 15 [1852]. Weak crude black cds (as is nearly always the case) with separate matching black handstamps of date "Jun 15", boxed "PAID", and negative "3" in circle on bluish folded letter to Virginia; contents datelined "Fort Laramie June 14th 1852" with contents, in part, "I have just reached this fort and am now about 650 miles from St. Joseph and 340 from Fort Kearny...about 110 miles above Fort Kearny on Platte River. Richard Liticus died with the cholera or bilious diarhea as it is here generally called...crossed Laramie river today it is bridged. have seen more Indians on this Fork that anywhere else...A.E. Plattenburg"; very light edge toning, F.-V.F., a rare example of a "Fort Laramie O.R." folded letter with all four separate handstamps applied., written up in the Chronicle (May 2013) by Dr. Milgram. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE SHOWING ALL FOUR HANDSTAMPS IN USE AT THE TIME IN 1852. A Post Office at Fort Laramie on the Oregon Route or Oregon Trail across the plains was established in 1850. The Post Office was located in unorganized territory but attached to Oregon Territory for administrative purposes and was the last Post Office on the Oregon Trail going west
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 535
9 more pictures
210.00 USD
(app. 183 EUR)
03/25/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 183 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 536
1900.00 USD
(app. 1652 EUR)
03/25/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 1652 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 537
3 more pictures
950.00 USD
(app. 826 EUR)
03/25/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 826 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 538
160.00 USD
(app. 139 EUR)
03/25/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 139 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 539
500.00 USD
(app. 435 EUR)
03/25/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 435 EUR)
Triple S Postal History
Lot a82109
1 more picture
STAR ...more BUFFALO(Johnson County)WYOMING TERRITORY-Sc#210-FANCY STAR IN A STAR CANCEL-188?/MAY/8-TO BIG HORN WY-SCARCE USAGE-REDUCED A BIT AT LEFT-minor wear-toning(reverse).....a82109
Fixed Price
90.00 USD
(app. 78 EUR)
(app. 78 EUR)
David Morrison
Lot G6011
Fixed Price
90.00 GBP
(app. 104 EUR)
(app. 104 EUR)
David Morrison
Lot G6012
Portland, ...more RAWLINS WYOMING. 1931 badly charred cover from New York to Portland, Oregon, that was on the Omaha & Ogden Train 5 on September 19 1931 when a fire broke out in the mail storage car between Hanna and Rawlins. This was caused by a spark from the locomotive falling against the mail car. Mail was damaged both by fire and water. This cover has a three line label attached, the print all in capital letters. This label is rare and not recorded by Hoggarth & Gwynn
Fixed Price
95.00 GBP
(app. 109 EUR)
(app. 109 EUR)
David Morrison
Lot G6014
Fixed Price
150.00 GBP
(app. 173 EUR)
(app. 173 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 1241
1000.00 USD
(app. 870 EUR)
03/26/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 870 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 1242
200.00 USD
(app. 174 EUR)
03/26/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 174 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 1239
80.00 USD
(app. 70 EUR)
03/26/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 70 EUR)
Rumsey Auctions
Lot 1240
500.00 USD
(app. 435 EUR)
03/26/2026 08:00 PDT
(app. 435 EUR)
Current Time: Tuesday March 31st 2026 - 09:49 MET