3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by bold strike of target cancel, complete and legible strike of "Sitka Alaska T. Jun. 13" circular datestamp on 1870 cover to Millersport O., barely reduced at right, minor edge soiling

VERY FINE. FEWER THAN A HALF-DOZEN 1869 PICTORIAL COVERS FROM ALASKA TERRITORY ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST. AN IMPORTANT COVER FOR THE ISSUE AND IN THE STUDY OF EARLY TERRITORIAL POSTAL HISTORY.

From 1867 until 1884, the region later known as the District of Alaska (1884), Territory of Alaska (1912) and the State of Alaska (1959) was officially known as the Department of Alaska. Until 1877 it was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army. The Census of 1870 reported 461 whites living in Alaska (with no effort made to count the Eskimo population). Covers from Alaska pre-dating the 1890s are rare, and the 1869 PRA Census estimated three to six extant.

Ex Gimelson. With 1976 P.F. certificate

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3c Ultramarine (114). Deep rich color, tied by blue "Cincinnati O. Oct. 10" circular datestamp and target duplex on cover to Fredericksburg Va. with Burnet House illustrated hotel corner card, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful design

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3c Ultramarine (114). Horizontal strip of four, tied by "New York Jul. 25" (1869) circular datestamp with grid duplex on cover to Montreal, Canada, Montreal arrival backstamp of Jul. 16, slightly reduced at right and right stamp with tiny ink spot, otherwise Very Fine, an unusual use of a strip of four of the 3c 1869 Pictorial to Canada

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3c Ultramarine (114). Block of four, minor gum toning in perfs and slight bends, tied by cork cancels and perfs of one stamp tied by "Tyrone Pa. Sep. 16" circular datestamp on yellow cover to London, England, red New York transit datestamp, Very Fine appearance, an extremely unusual use of a 3c 1869 Issue block to England

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3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by Woman in Headdress fancy cancel with "Corry Pa. Jun. 2" (1870) circular datestamp on buff cover to Youngsville Pa. with M. O. Olds wood pump manufacturer's illustrated corner card, enclosure from South Erie Iron Works, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a beautifully carved depiction of a woman's bust in profile, with her hair pulled back in classic Victorian-era style, which rivals the cancels produced by the master carver of Waterbury Conn.

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3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color and proof-like impression, tied by perfect strike of 12-segment Rosette fancy cancel of Waterbury Conn. (Rohloff P-30) and "Waterbury Ct. Jun. 17" (1870) circular datestamp on buff cover to West Chester Conn., Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel, ex Eubanks, with 2000 and 2011 P.F. certificates

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3c Ultramarine (114). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, canceled by perfect bold strike of "P" fancy cancel, clear strike of "Paris Ill. Jul. 28" circular datestamp on cover to New York City, Extremely Fine strike of this fancy cancel, ex Eubanks, with 2002 and 2011 P.F. certificates

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3c Ultramarine (114). Cancelled by Circle of Hearts fancy cancel, "Davenport Ioa Aug. 9" circular datestamp on illustrated advertising cover for Newcomb House Hotel to New York City, s.e. at right, Very Fine and attractive cover with fancy cancels and an advertising design

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3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color on bright paper, tied by perfectly clear strike of Mask with Sawtooth Grin fancy cancel, matching "Jackson Mich. Oct. 1" (1869) circular datestamp on yellow cover to New York, original year-dated letter enclosure, missing small part of bottom flap, Very Fine strike of this unusual fancy cancel, ex Laehder, with 1995 and 2018 P.F. certificates

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3c Ultramarine (114). Cancelled by grid, indistinct circular datestamp on yellow cover with "Campbell's Zoological and Equestrian Institute" illustration depicting elephants, tigers and other exotic animals, to Harrisburgh Ind., some edge flaws, still Very Fine and rare circus-related use with the 1869 Pictorial Issue

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