3 Antique Covers Seattle W.T. Stirling Garton Eaton Rapids Michigan #1402

Lot of 3 Antique 19th-Century Covers – Seattle Washington Territory, Stirling & Garton Family, Michigan Offered together is an interesting group of three original 19th-century U.S. postal covers associated with the Stirling and Garton families of Michigan. The group includes: * Seattle, Washington Territory cover addressed to Miss Ella Garton, Gilead, Branch County, Michigan, bearing a 3¢ green Washington stamp and a circular Seattle, W.T., Nov. 6 postmark. The Washington Territory origin makes this the standout postal-history piece in the group, dating from before Washington achieved statehood in 1889. * Cover addressed to Jas. Stirling, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, franked with a 2¢ Washington stamp. James Stirling was a documented surname associated with the historic Stirling family of Eaton Rapids. * Local Eaton Rapids cover addressed to Mr. Watson Stirling, City, bearing a 1¢ blue Franklin stamp and an Eaton Rapids, Mich., Oct. 23 postmark. Watson Stirling is associated with the same Eaton Rapids Stirling family represented in surviving 1880s correspondence. The Garton and Stirling surnames are historically connected in Michigan records, making this group particularly interesting for collectors of family correspondence, genealogy, Michigan history, territorial postal history, and classic U.S. covers. These covers appear to have been preserved together as part of an old family correspondence group. While the family association is compelling, no claim is made that every cover was originally mailed as part of the exact same correspondence. Condition: All three are in genuine antique condition with substantial age-related wear, including toning, staining, edge losses, tears, creases, opened sides, and other handling wear. Stamps and postal markings remain present. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. An appealing three-cover historical group featuring Seattle, Washington Territory postal history together with Eaton Rapids, Michigan Stirling family material.