Lot 1234
"Midway / 6.9.03", Sep. 6 manuscript postmark tying U.S. 1¢ green (279) and two 2¢ carmine (279B) singles on cover addressed to the Commerical Cable Co. at Fayal, Azores, stamps tied by additional blue quartered cancellations, reverse with San Francisco Sep. 21 machine transit and partial Portugese datestamp; small stamp and cover faults, Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM THE MIDWAY POST OFFICE AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE PROVISIONAL MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK.
The Midway Islands were discovered by Americans in 1859 and formally annexed on August 28, 1867. A U.S. post office was not established there until June 13, 1903 with Benjamin W. Coley, company agent, appointed as postmaster. The only installation on the Island during this period was the Commercial Pacific Cable Company and later the U.S. Navy from 1904 to 1908. The Post Office was closed on June 30, 1918.
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| Realized $3,500 |
