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| Scott Number | 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | June 13, 1850 |
| From City | Doakesville |
| From State | Indian Terr |
| To City | New Orleans |
| To State | LA |
| Addressee | Mrs. Clinton W. Lear |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 37152 |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 0 |
| Quantity 2 | 1 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
1847, 10¢ black (Scott No. 2). Ample to huge margins except touched at bottom, pen canceled, on off-white envelope to Mrs. Clinton W. Lear in New Orleans with clear black "Doaksville Ark. Jun. 13" c.d.s. at far left, additional manuscript. "Due 10" indicating double weight; minor toning on cover, Very Fine usage. Estimate $5,000-7,500
Expertization: Photocopy of 1971 P.F. Certificate.
Doaksville, in Indian Territory, was attached to Arkansas for administrative purposes. It was the capital of the Choctaw nation beginning in 1848.
This cover is one of six written by Lt. Clinton W. Lear, stationed at Fort Towson. In addition, there are three Texas usages (Bonham, Chambers Creek and San Antonio) which trace his journey to this remote post. Happily for collectors, Lt. Lear preferred to send his letters paid, but the iron gall ink used by Lear has eroded the paper in places- this cover is one of the best preserved, and the only one with the "Due 10" notation. Hammer Price $8,000.
Matthew Bennett International Sale 266 Lot 1162
H R Harmer sale 2914 lot 488 realized 7000
PF 37152 #2, genuine use on cover
Lt. Clinton W. Lear mailed this cover on June 13, 1850, to his wife in New Orleans. The lieutenant was stationed at Fort Towson, adjacent to the town of Doakesville. The stamp paid a single ten-cent rate for a distance of more than three hundred miles. However, the letter weighed more than half-ounce but less than one ounce and so required an additional fee because of the weight. The postmaster at Doakesville therefore wrote "Due 10" in manuscript, indicating the extra rate was to be collected from the recipient, Lear's wife.
Although the Post Office Department at Washington lists this office as "Doaksville," the postmaster there spelled it 'Doakesville' and spaced the name in his townmark as if it were two words”DOAKES VILLE. The town was in unorganized territory west of Arkansas, and the Post Office Department included it as part of Arkansas for accounting purposes. Consequently the "state" at the bottom of the townmark is "Ark."
In 1850 the entire area adjacent to the western boundaries of Missouri and Arkansas was unorganized territory. Part of the area, including the reservation of the Choctaw Nation and the other four Civilized Tribes, was later informally called 'Indian Territory', even though such a territory was never officially organized. When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, this area was included within its state boundaries.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 645 Lot 41 realized $2,300
Alexander listed as 6/13/50 from Indian Territory
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 399 lot 92 realized 650
Expertization: Photocopy of 1971 P.F. Certificate.
Doaksville, in Indian Territory, was attached to Arkansas for administrative purposes. It was the capital of the Choctaw nation beginning in 1848.
This cover is one of six written by Lt. Clinton W. Lear, stationed at Fort Towson. In addition, there are three Texas usages (Bonham, Chambers Creek and San Antonio) which trace his journey to this remote post. Happily for collectors, Lt. Lear preferred to send his letters paid, but the iron gall ink used by Lear has eroded the paper in places- this cover is one of the best preserved, and the only one with the "Due 10" notation. Hammer Price $8,000.
Matthew Bennett International Sale 266 Lot 1162
H R Harmer sale 2914 lot 488 realized 7000
PF 37152 #2, genuine use on cover
Lt. Clinton W. Lear mailed this cover on June 13, 1850, to his wife in New Orleans. The lieutenant was stationed at Fort Towson, adjacent to the town of Doakesville. The stamp paid a single ten-cent rate for a distance of more than three hundred miles. However, the letter weighed more than half-ounce but less than one ounce and so required an additional fee because of the weight. The postmaster at Doakesville therefore wrote "Due 10" in manuscript, indicating the extra rate was to be collected from the recipient, Lear's wife.
Although the Post Office Department at Washington lists this office as "Doaksville," the postmaster there spelled it 'Doakesville' and spaced the name in his townmark as if it were two words”DOAKES VILLE. The town was in unorganized territory west of Arkansas, and the Post Office Department included it as part of Arkansas for accounting purposes. Consequently the "state" at the bottom of the townmark is "Ark."
In 1850 the entire area adjacent to the western boundaries of Missouri and Arkansas was unorganized territory. Part of the area, including the reservation of the Choctaw Nation and the other four Civilized Tribes, was later informally called 'Indian Territory', even though such a territory was never officially organized. When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, this area was included within its state boundaries.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 645 Lot 41 realized $2,300
Alexander listed as 6/13/50 from Indian Territory
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 399 lot 92 realized 650

