1c Blue, Types Ib-Ib/IIIA (5A-5A/8A). Positions 3-4/13R1E, top stamps Type Ib with design complete at top and almost complete at bottom, large margins to barely in on Type IIIa stamp, small scissors-cut between top stamps at bottom, tied by clear single strike of blue "Eugene City O.T. Jun. 23" Oregon Territory circular datestamp on blue 1855 folded letter to Steilacoom, Washington Territory, addressed to Mrs. J. B. Devore

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE ONE EARLY MULTIPLE, COMPRISING TWO TYPE Ib STAMPS AND A TYPE IIIa STAMP, TIED BY A BLUE DATESTAMP FROM OREGON TERRITORY ON A LETTER TO WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Eugene City lies on the Willamette River in Oregon. Steilacoom is in the Puget Sound area of Washington, and the first post office in Washington Territory was established there in 1852. It was also the first town incorporated in Washington Territory by the Territorial Legislature. In 1855, when this was sent, Steilacoom was experiencing disruptions due to Indian attacks.

Prior to the discovery of this cover in recent years, there was no example of a rare 1c 1851 type paying the 3c rate in the territories of the Pacific Northwest.

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