Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

(San Francisco 1906 Earthquake) "San Francisco, Cal., Apr. 24, 1906". Year inverted, clear strike of duplex handstamp on folded letter to Stockton State Hospital in Stockton Cal., Stockton Apr. 24th arrival backstamp, original message datelined "Apl. 21/06" and starts "Dear Sir, Burnt out, all safe…"; corner crease, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

On April 18, 1906, a major earthquake devastated San Francisco. Almost 30,000 buildings were destroyed, 700 persons died and 30,000 were made homeless. The fire that followed the earthquake destroyed the post office's supply of stamps. The Post Office Department permitted residents to send letters free of postage for a time after the disaster. This letter was mailed free of postage on April 23, five days after the initial quake. The faint pencil notation across its face indicates this report was circulated among the sender's family in the East.