Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

The R. K. Schloss Collection of Transcontinental Mails continued...

**Express Companies:**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Realized
123		Paid, Adams & Co., Over our California and Coast Routes. Printed frank, vertical pair of 3c Dull Red (11), large margins to in at right, tied by bold "Sacramento City Cal. 30 Nov." circular datestamp on brown cover to Uniontown Ala., slight edge wear, Very Fine, extremely rare Adams frank, illustrated in Nathan book (Image)	$ 1,400
124		Adams & Co. Express Agency, Panama. Clear red oval handstamp on orange-buff cover to "Purser of S.S. Winfield Scott, Panama N.G." with "Free A & Co." ms. endorsement, fresh and Extremely Fine, this is the rarest of the Adams & Co. handstamps used by its Panama office in 1852 and 1853 -- the Winfield Scott was brought into Pacific Coast service in 1852 and was wrecked in Dec. 1853 -- illustrated in Devoss Panama book, ex Clifford, Devoss and Jarrett	$ 1,100
126		Bannack City Express. Perfectly clear strike of half-circle handstamp on yellow cover to Westborough Mass. with printed frank "Direct to Salt Lake City in care of Bannack City Express. Oliver & Co., Proprietors.", postage paid by 3c Rose (65), s.e. at top, gum stains, ms. "X" cancel, ms. "Brigham City UT Sept. 11" postmark, forwarded to Cincinnati with another 3c Rose (65), different shade, tied by circle of hollow wedges, "Westborough Ms. Sep. 20" circular datestamp, trivial waterstaining along bottom edge, Very Fine, a marvelous usage, combining this rare express and a double 3c 1861 franking -- the Bannack City Express provided service between Virginia City, Bannack City, Montana and Salt Lake City, from 1864 to 1866, when it was acquired by Ben Holladay (Image)	$ 4,000
127		Forwarded by Bowers Express. Full clear strike of oval handstamp with ornaments, orange-red "San Francisco Cal. 5 Mar." circular datestamp with matching "Paid" and "40" handstamps on light blue folded letter to Boston, datelined "Nevada City Feb. 24th 1851", sender's endorsement "Paid through 40c" -- representing the U.S. postage in addition to the $2.50 express charge -- excellent letter from a prospector to his family: "Letters received here from home produce a sensation and feeling that none who have actually experienced the emotions can possibly realize. Among all the heavy expenses attached to a miner's life in this country, heavy as they have been until lately, none are met so cheerfully and gladly as letter postage." -- in Extremely Fine condition, choice strike of this rare express handstamp, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Jarrett (Image)	$ 2,000
128		The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T., Jun. 5. Two strikes of oval datestamp, 3c Dull Red (26) tied by blue "Saint Joseph Mo. Jun. 13, 1860" circular datestamp on cover to Philadelphia, minor edge wear, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, scarce stage line marking	$ 450
129		Paid, Everts Wilson & Co. Daily Express. Printed frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Berlin Mass., bold perfect strike of "Strawberry Valley Cala. Feb. 16" circular datestamp and ms. cancel, Very Fine	$ 375
130		Freeman & Cos. Express, San Francisco. Red oval handstamp with matching "Reply by/Freeman & Cos. Express" two-line backstamp on blue folded cover originating in Cuba per docketing, addressed to San Francisco, Very Fine	$ 350
131		Freeman & Co.'s Express, Victoria. Black oval handstamp lightly but legibly struck along with "Freeman & Co. San Francisco Oct. 5" oval datestamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New London Conn., Freeman & Co. green printed frank, "New-York Oct. 25" circular datestamp where it entered the mails, half of backflap intact, Fine, the green printed frank is very scarce, the Freeman & Co. Victoria handstamp is reported as unique in Simpson-Alexander -- this is believed to be the second example -- an important Western Express usage from the Stark correspondence (Image)	$ 1,700
133		Freeman & Co., San Francisco. Large black on blue label affixed over unused Langton's Pioneer Express frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U17) to Bridgeport Conn., "New-York Feb. 28" circular datestamp, Very Fine, extremely scarce express company label, used circa 1855-56 between Adams & Co.'s failure (1855) and Wells Fargo's buy-out of Freeman (1859), ex Jarrett	$ 1,050
134		Gregory's Express Office, San Francisco. Three-line handstamp in blue with matching "Not Paid" oval crossed out and rated "80" on Dec. 1851 folded letter to New York City, file fold, Very Fine	$ 260
135		Gregory's Express "Not Paid". Oval handstamp in red, no other handstamps, ms. "double $1.00" on 1854 blue folded letter from San Francisco to New York City, letter from W. H. Tiffany states "San Francisco would be a famous place to open a large fancy goods & jewelry establishment", Fine	$ 250
136		Gregory's Express, San Francisco Office. Three-line handstamp on buff cover to New York City, "Steam Ship 20 Cts." circular handstamp, corner card on flap, slightly reduced at right, one side flap missing, still Very Fine, choice and scarce usage, Gregory's placed this in U.S. mail for contract sailing at 20c rate	$ 375
137		The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to Boonville Mo., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Helena, Montana, 25 Aug. 1867" double-circle datestamp, faint Helena circular datestamp and cancel, edges worn with slight tears, otherwise Fine	$ 375
138		The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to New York City, "San Francisco Cal. Nov. 12" double-circle datestamp and cogwheel, "Due 3" handstamp, torn across upper right corner, repaired, Very Fine appearance	$ 170
139		Hunter & Co's Express, Mormon-Island. Extraordinary bold richly-inked strike of double-oval handstamp on brown cover to San Francisco and forwarded to Mormon Island, red "Boston 23 Mar. 6 cts." integral-rate circular datestamp and matching "Paid", ms. "Fd 5" forwarding postage rate, ms. "Wind Bar 1.25" express charge to mining camp, minor wear, still Very Fine, Hunter & Co. served mining camps from 1851 through 1854, using a variety of markings -- this distinctive large oval with shadow lettering is one of the most distinctive of all western express markings -- illustrated in Nathan and Letters of Gold (Image)	$ 1,700
140		Jones & Russell's Pike's Peak Express Co. Denver City Mar. 29, 1860. Circular datestamp on large cover to Wis., four 3c Dull Red (26), one with corner torn before use, another creased, tied by "Leavenworth K.T. Apr. 6, 1860" circular datestamps, court docketing and sender's endorsement "Deposited in the Post Office at Mountain City, Kansas, this 26th Day of March 1860...", reduced at right, otherwise Fine, this express company sold out to Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Co.	$ 550
141		Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid. Printed frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Quincy Mass., blue "Marysville Cal. Paid by Stamps" circular datestamp and large rectangular grid, Nov. 14, 1856 receipt docketing, Very Fine	$ 150
142		Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid. Printed frank on 10c Green entire (U40) to Galway N.Y., "New-York 4 Dec." double-circle datestamp and target, fresh and Very Fine	$ 170
143		Paid. Pauly & Nohrman's Express. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to Vernon N.Y., "Gibsonville Cal. Nov. 16" circular datestamp, reduced at left touching frank, minor edge wear, otherwise Fine	$ 220
144		Forwarded by Reynolds & Co. Express. Oval handstamp on brown cover to Stockton Cal., red "Salem Mass. Nov. 25" circular datestamp, magenta ms. "40" rate, blue ms. "Paid" crossed out in pencil and rated "2" for $2.00 express charge to addressee, Very Fine, ex Jarrett	$ 750
145		W. E. Singer & Co. Sender's ms. routing instructions on corner card cover to Maker Flat, North Fork Feather River, Cal., "Garrettsville O. Mar. 23" circular datestamp and postmaster's free frank, small ink smear, Very Fine, Singer served the Feather River mining camps	$ 90
146		W. E. Singer & Cos. Express, Feather River. Blue double-line oval handstamp on brown cover to Marysville Cal., "Hartstown Pa. Mar. 25" circular datestamp and ms. "Paid 6" applied at origin, edge wear skillfully reinforced and some lightened stains, Very Fine	$ 325
147		Todd & Co. Express. Shield handstamp with separate "$2" rate struck on brown cover to San Francisco, red "New London Conn. Dec. 24" circular datestamp and matching "40" rate applied at origin, slightly reduced at left, lightly creased, Very Fine, scarce express and unusual combination of handstamps for $2.00 express rate and 40-cent postage, ex Jarrett	$ 750
148		Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Ample to large margins, lightly wrinkled, tied by blue "Pony Express Sacramento Sep. 22" oval datestamp on 10c Green Star Die entire with red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to New York City with sender's instructions "Please keep at the N.Y. Office till called for", entered U.S. mails at Atchison Kan. where "Atchison Kan. Oct. 5" double-circle datestamp struck over 10c stamp, "New York Post Office Advertised" oval handstamp and "New-York Oct. 15" backstamp, evidently the addressee did not retrieve the letter and it was sent to the Dead Letter Office where large "P.O. Department Dead Letter Office Mar. 11, 1862" double-oval datestamp was applied, small tear into embossed stamp at upper right, couple other trivial edge tears VERY FINE. A VERY LATE PONY EXPRESS USAGE -- SERVICE ENDED IN NOVEMBER 1861 -- AND AN EXTREMELY RARE "ADVERTISED" AND DEAD LETTER OFFICE USAGE. Ex Knapp and Haas. (Image)	$ 9,500
149		Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Large margins all around, rich color, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Mount Ophir" oval handstamp on 10c Green Star Die entire (U33) with Wells, Fargo & Co. red printed frank, "Atchison Kan. Oct. 19" (1861) double-circle datestamp, addressed to Colchester Vt., small tear at top, reduced at right and opened slightly into embossed stamp EXTREMELY FINE PONY EXPRESS STAMP AND ATTRACTIVE COVER. RARE USE FROM WELLS, FARGO & CO.'S MOUNT OPHIR OFFICE. By Sep. 1861 the transcontinental railroad reached Atchison, Kansas, which became the post-office entry point for Pony Express mail. With 1990 P.F. certificate. (Image)	$ 7,500
150		Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Three ample to huge margins, touched at top, tied by perfect bold strike of "Pony Express San Francisco Jul. 17" Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green Star Die entire to New York City, red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, entered the mails with "St. Joseph Mo. Jul. 29" (1861) circular datestamp, expertly cleaned, small repaired nick at top left and sealed tear at center, backflap added, these cosmetic improvements only enhance the appearance VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIKE OF THE FAMOUS "RUNNING PONY" HANDSTAMP ON A COVER CARRIED BY THE LEGENDARY PONY EXPRESS. This cover shows the reduced $1.00 rate. In November 1861, after completion of the first transcontinental telegraph, the Pony Express ceased operation. (Image)	$ 8,000
151		Wells, Fargo & Co. -1/2 Ounce Paid from St. Joseph to Placerville per Pony Express. Red printed frank with black "Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo. For..." address directive on 10c Green entire to San Jose Cal., "Philadelphia Pa. Aug. 26, 1861" octagonal datestamp and circle of dots cancel, slight edge wear VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EAST-TO-WEST PONY EXPRESS USAGE ORIGINATING IN PHILADELPHIA. AN OUTSTANDING WESTERN EXPRESS USAGE. The Wells, Fargo & Co. frank, issued July 1, 1861, paid the Pony Express $1.00 charge for mail to California. It was printed on a 10c government entire to cover United States postage. Westbound Pony Express covers are far rarer than eastbound, and this is reported to be the only example postmarked at Philadelphia. (Image)	$ 5,000
152		Negative Customs Seal, Vancouver Island. Circular handstamp with negative Crown at center and "Customs, Vancouvers Island", mostly clear strike on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New London Conn. with red Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, "New-York Jun. 27 Paid" (1859) circular datestamp, expertly repaired opening tears along top into 10c stamp, Very Fine appearance, extremely rare provisional use of customs seal by Vancouver Is. postmaster A. C. Anderson to indicate payment of 2-1/2p local postage (used July 1858-June 1859), ex Wellburn (Image)	$ 2,500
153		Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Portland (Ore.). Perfectly struck blue oval handstamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New York City, Wells Fargo red printed frank, black "C.O.D." framed handstamp applied by Hinkley's Metropolitan Errand and Carrier local post, minor edge wear, otherwise fresh and Very Fine, extremely rare Oregon express marking, used in conjunction with a New York local post, illustrated in Dale Forster's Oregon Express Companies, ex Jarrett (Image)	$ 1,700
154		Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S. Frco. 11 Nov. Large blue double-circle datestamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Philadelphia, red printed frank, "Blood's Penny Post Dec. 15 10-1/2 A.M. Philada." double-circle datestamp and "2 CTS" in circle for local delivery, 1860 receipt docketing, couple faint toned spots, very slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, scarce combination of express and local-post services (Image)	$ 1,000
155		Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Placerville. Blue oval handstamp and matching "Paid" in oval, 3c Dull Red (11), clear to large margins, corner crease, tied by "New-York May 14" circular datestamp on 6c Green Nesbitt entire to Syracuse N.Y., edges worn, reinforced at corners, Fine, unusual use of 1851 stamp, possibly intended to pay postage from NYC to Syracuse thru sender's misunderstanding of rates	$ 250
156		Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank and their blue "Paid" oval handstamp, 1c Blue, Ty. V, 3c Dull Red (24, 26), 3c pair, tied by "Paid" oval cancels, red "Boston Mass. Oct. 16" double-circle datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire to South Lee Mass., fresh and Extremely Fine, a colorful and scarce usage, ex Moody	$ 850
157		Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express, S. Frco. 1 Aug. Large double-circle datestamp struck twice on 10c Green entire (U41) to Philadelphia, red printed frank, red "Boston Mass. Aug. 26" double-circle datestamp and black "Paid" in oval, Very Fine, colorful and choice express usage	$ 400
158		Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Feb. 3. Blue oval datestamp on 10c Green entire to Griggsville Ill., Wells Fargo red printed frank, "New-York Feb. 28, 1863" double-circle datestamp and fancy circle of wedges in circle cancel, skillfully cleaned, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, carried outside the mails from Virginia City to New York City and back across the country to Illinois	$ 600
159		Wells, Fargo & Co. Paid. Printed frank and blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Feb. 10" oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire to New York City street address, "Boyd's Dispatch 36 Fulton St. Mar. 2" circular datestamp and "Paid" in circle, pencil "Closed", lightly creased, opening tears in flap, still Fine, scarce usage	$ 350
160		Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Jul. 7. Bold blue oval datestamp ties 3c Deep Rose (65) on yellow cover to New York City street address, Wells Fargo corner card crossed out, "Collect/2 cts." handstamp applied by Boyd's for local delivery, backflap removed, small mend at upper left corner, still Very Fine, scarce usage entirely outside the mails	$ 450
161		Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Apr. 22. Bold blue oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire with printed frank to New York City street address, "Collect/2 cts." handstamp applied by Boyd's for local delivery, reduced at left, still Very Fine, scarce usage entirely outside the mails	$ 325
162		Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Eureka HB. Blue oval handstamp with initials on 3c Pink entire to Orono Me., black printed frank, "New-York Jul. 3 6 P.M." circular datestamp and circle of wedges, slight wear around edges, Very Fine	$ 220
163		Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire with Portland Oregon merchant's lithographed ad, to Portland Me., blue "Savannah Ga. Dec. 17" duplex datestamp and circle of wedges, Very Fine, probably not carried by express	$ 350
164		Whiting & Co's Feather River Express. Paid. Printed frank on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to East Longmeadow Mass., "Bidwell's Bar Cal. Jan. 2" circular datestamp, "Paid" handstamp and ms. "7" additional rate (7c plus 3c entire for 10c rate), 1858 docketing, minor edge wear and small tears, still Fine, extremely scarce frank and unusual in combination with uprated entire	$ 2,100
165		A. J. Wood's Oroville, Susanville and Taylorville Express. Printed corner card (or frank) on 3c Pink entire to Gen. J. W. Denver in Washington D.C., ms. "Longville Nov. 25/66" pmk., light stain at top left, Very Fine, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Vogel and Haas	$ 1,100

Express Companies:

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Realized

123

Paid, Adams & Co., Over our California and Coast Routes. Printed frank, vertical pair of 3c Dull Red (11), large margins to in at right, tied by bold "Sacramento City Cal. 30 Nov." circular datestamp on brown cover to Uniontown Ala., slight edge wear, Very Fine, extremely rare Adams frank, illustrated in Nathan book (Image)

$ 1,400

124

Adams & Co. Express Agency, Panama. Clear red oval handstamp on orange-buff cover to "Purser of S.S. Winfield Scott, Panama N.G." with "Free A & Co." ms. endorsement, fresh and Extremely Fine, this is the rarest of the Adams & Co. handstamps used by its Panama office in 1852 and 1853 -- the Winfield Scott was brought into Pacific Coast service in 1852 and was wrecked in Dec. 1853 -- illustrated in Devoss Panama book, ex Clifford, Devoss and Jarrett

$ 1,100

126

Bannack City Express. Perfectly clear strike of half-circle handstamp on yellow cover to Westborough Mass. with printed frank "Direct to Salt Lake City in care of Bannack City Express. Oliver & Co., Proprietors.", postage paid by 3c Rose (65), s.e. at top, gum stains, ms. "X" cancel, ms. "Brigham City UT Sept. 11" postmark, forwarded to Cincinnati with another 3c Rose (65), different shade, tied by circle of hollow wedges, "Westborough Ms. Sep. 20" circular datestamp, trivial waterstaining along bottom edge, Very Fine, a marvelous usage, combining this rare express and a double 3c 1861 franking -- the Bannack City Express provided service between Virginia City, Bannack City, Montana and Salt Lake City, from 1864 to 1866, when it was acquired by Ben Holladay (Image)

$ 4,000

127

Forwarded by Bowers Express. Full clear strike of oval handstamp with ornaments, orange-red "San Francisco Cal. 5 Mar." circular datestamp with matching "Paid" and "40" handstamps on light blue folded letter to Boston, datelined "Nevada City Feb. 24th 1851", sender's endorsement "Paid through 40c" -- representing the U.S. postage in addition to the $2.50 express charge -- excellent letter from a prospector to his family: "Letters received here from home produce a sensation and feeling that none who have actually experienced the emotions can possibly realize. Among all the heavy expenses attached to a miner's life in this country, heavy as they have been until lately, none are met so cheerfully and gladly as letter postage." -- in Extremely Fine condition, choice strike of this rare express handstamp, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Jarrett (Image)

$ 2,000

128

The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T., Jun. 5. Two strikes of oval datestamp, 3c Dull Red (26) tied by blue "Saint Joseph Mo. Jun. 13, 1860" circular datestamp on cover to Philadelphia, minor edge wear, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, scarce stage line marking

$ 450

129

Paid, Everts Wilson & Co. Daily Express. Printed frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Berlin Mass., bold perfect strike of "Strawberry Valley Cala. Feb. 16" circular datestamp and ms. cancel, Very Fine

$ 375

130

Freeman & Cos. Express, San Francisco. Red oval handstamp with matching "Reply by/Freeman & Cos. Express" two-line backstamp on blue folded cover originating in Cuba per docketing, addressed to San Francisco, Very Fine

$ 350

131

Freeman & Co.'s Express, Victoria. Black oval handstamp lightly but legibly struck along with "Freeman & Co. San Francisco Oct. 5" oval datestamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New London Conn., Freeman & Co. green printed frank, "New-York Oct. 25" circular datestamp where it entered the mails, half of backflap intact, Fine, the green printed frank is very scarce, the Freeman & Co. Victoria handstamp is reported as unique in Simpson-Alexander -- this is believed to be the second example -- an important Western Express usage from the Stark correspondence (Image)

$ 1,700

133

Freeman & Co., San Francisco. Large black on blue label affixed over unused Langton's Pioneer Express frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U17) to Bridgeport Conn., "New-York Feb. 28" circular datestamp, Very Fine, extremely scarce express company label, used circa 1855-56 between Adams & Co.'s failure (1855) and Wells Fargo's buy-out of Freeman (1859), ex Jarrett

$ 1,050

134

Gregory's Express Office, San Francisco. Three-line handstamp in blue with matching "Not Paid" oval crossed out and rated "80" on Dec. 1851 folded letter to New York City, file fold, Very Fine

$ 260

135

Gregory's Express "Not Paid". Oval handstamp in red, no other handstamps, ms. "double $1.00" on 1854 blue folded letter from San Francisco to New York City, letter from W. H. Tiffany states "San Francisco would be a famous place to open a large fancy goods & jewelry establishment", Fine

$ 250

136

Gregory's Express, San Francisco Office. Three-line handstamp on buff cover to New York City, "Steam Ship 20 Cts." circular handstamp, corner card on flap, slightly reduced at right, one side flap missing, still Very Fine, choice and scarce usage, Gregory's placed this in U.S. mail for contract sailing at 20c rate

$ 375

137

The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to Boonville Mo., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Helena, Montana, 25 Aug. 1867" double-circle datestamp, faint Helena circular datestamp and cancel, edges worn with slight tears, otherwise Fine

$ 375

138

The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to New York City, "San Francisco Cal. Nov. 12" double-circle datestamp and cogwheel, "Due 3" handstamp, torn across upper right corner, repaired, Very Fine appearance

$ 170

139

Hunter & Co's Express, Mormon-Island. Extraordinary bold richly-inked strike of double-oval handstamp on brown cover to San Francisco and forwarded to Mormon Island, red "Boston 23 Mar. 6 cts." integral-rate circular datestamp and matching "Paid", ms. "Fd 5" forwarding postage rate, ms. "Wind Bar 1.25" express charge to mining camp, minor wear, still Very Fine, Hunter & Co. served mining camps from 1851 through 1854, using a variety of markings -- this distinctive large oval with shadow lettering is one of the most distinctive of all western express markings -- illustrated in Nathan and Letters of Gold (Image)

$ 1,700

140

Jones & Russell's Pike's Peak Express Co. Denver City Mar. 29, 1860. Circular datestamp on large cover to Wis., four 3c Dull Red (26), one with corner torn before use, another creased, tied by "Leavenworth K.T. Apr. 6, 1860" circular datestamps, court docketing and sender's endorsement "Deposited in the Post Office at Mountain City, Kansas, this 26th Day of March 1860...", reduced at right, otherwise Fine, this express company sold out to Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Co.

$ 550

141

Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid. Printed frank on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Quincy Mass., blue "Marysville Cal. Paid by Stamps" circular datestamp and large rectangular grid, Nov. 14, 1856 receipt docketing, Very Fine

$ 150

142

Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid. Printed frank on 10c Green entire (U40) to Galway N.Y., "New-York 4 Dec." double-circle datestamp and target, fresh and Very Fine

$ 170

143

Paid. Pauly & Nohrman's Express. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire to Vernon N.Y., "Gibsonville Cal. Nov. 16" circular datestamp, reduced at left touching frank, minor edge wear, otherwise Fine

$ 220

144

Forwarded by Reynolds & Co. Express. Oval handstamp on brown cover to Stockton Cal., red "Salem Mass. Nov. 25" circular datestamp, magenta ms. "40" rate, blue ms. "Paid" crossed out in pencil and rated "2" for $2.00 express charge to addressee, Very Fine, ex Jarrett

$ 750

145

W. E. Singer & Co. Sender's ms. routing instructions on corner card cover to Maker Flat, North Fork Feather River, Cal., "Garrettsville O. Mar. 23" circular datestamp and postmaster's free frank, small ink smear, Very Fine, Singer served the Feather River mining camps

$ 90

146

W. E. Singer & Cos. Express, Feather River. Blue double-line oval handstamp on brown cover to Marysville Cal., "Hartstown Pa. Mar. 25" circular datestamp and ms. "Paid 6" applied at origin, edge wear skillfully reinforced and some lightened stains, Very Fine

$ 325

147

Todd & Co. Express. Shield handstamp with separate "$2" rate struck on brown cover to San Francisco, red "New London Conn. Dec. 24" circular datestamp and matching "40" rate applied at origin, slightly reduced at left, lightly creased, Very Fine, scarce express and unusual combination of handstamps for $2.00 express rate and 40-cent postage, ex Jarrett

$ 750

148

Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Ample to large margins, lightly wrinkled, tied by blue "Pony Express Sacramento Sep. 22" oval datestamp on 10c Green Star Die entire with red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to New York City with sender's instructions "Please keep at the N.Y. Office till called for", entered U.S. mails at Atchison Kan. where "Atchison Kan. Oct. 5" double-circle datestamp struck over 10c stamp, "New York Post Office Advertised" oval handstamp and "New-York Oct. 15" backstamp, evidently the addressee did not retrieve the letter and it was sent to the Dead Letter Office where large "P.O. Department Dead Letter Office Mar. 11, 1862" double-oval datestamp was applied, small tear into embossed stamp at upper right, couple other trivial edge tears

VERY FINE. A VERY LATE PONY EXPRESS USAGE -- SERVICE ENDED IN NOVEMBER 1861 -- AND AN EXTREMELY RARE "ADVERTISED" AND DEAD LETTER OFFICE USAGE.

Ex Knapp and Haas. (Image)

$ 9,500

149

Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Large margins all around, rich color, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Mount Ophir" oval handstamp on 10c Green Star Die entire (U33) with Wells, Fargo & Co. red printed frank, "Atchison Kan. Oct. 19" (1861) double-circle datestamp, addressed to Colchester Vt., small tear at top, reduced at right and opened slightly into embossed stamp

EXTREMELY FINE PONY EXPRESS STAMP AND ATTRACTIVE COVER. RARE USE FROM WELLS, FARGO & CO.'S MOUNT OPHIR OFFICE.

By Sep. 1861 the transcontinental railroad reached Atchison, Kansas, which became the post-office entry point for Pony Express mail.

With 1990 P.F. certificate. (Image)

$ 7,500

150

Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Three ample to huge margins, touched at top, tied by perfect bold strike of "Pony Express San Francisco Jul. 17" Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green Star Die entire to New York City, red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, entered the mails with "St. Joseph Mo. Jul. 29" (1861) circular datestamp, expertly cleaned, small repaired nick at top left and sealed tear at center, backflap added, these cosmetic improvements only enhance the appearance

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIKE OF THE FAMOUS "RUNNING PONY" HANDSTAMP ON A COVER CARRIED BY THE LEGENDARY PONY EXPRESS.

This cover shows the reduced $1.00 rate. In November 1861, after completion of the first transcontinental telegraph, the Pony Express ceased operation. (Image)

$ 8,000

151

Wells, Fargo & Co. -1/2 Ounce Paid from St. Joseph to Placerville per Pony Express. Red printed frank with black "Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo. For..." address directive on 10c Green entire to San Jose Cal., "Philadelphia Pa. Aug. 26, 1861" octagonal datestamp and circle of dots cancel, slight edge wear

VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EAST-TO-WEST PONY EXPRESS USAGE ORIGINATING IN PHILADELPHIA. AN OUTSTANDING WESTERN EXPRESS USAGE.

The Wells, Fargo & Co. frank, issued July 1, 1861, paid the Pony Express $1.00 charge for mail to California. It was printed on a 10c government entire to cover United States postage. Westbound Pony Express covers are far rarer than eastbound, and this is reported to be the only example postmarked at Philadelphia. (Image)

$ 5,000

152

Negative Customs Seal, Vancouver Island. Circular handstamp with negative Crown at center and "Customs, Vancouvers Island", mostly clear strike on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New London Conn. with red Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, "New-York Jun. 27 Paid" (1859) circular datestamp, expertly repaired opening tears along top into 10c stamp, Very Fine appearance, extremely rare provisional use of customs seal by Vancouver Is. postmaster A. C. Anderson to indicate payment of 2-1/2p local postage (used July 1858-June 1859), ex Wellburn (Image)

$ 2,500

153

Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Portland (Ore.). Perfectly struck blue oval handstamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to New York City, Wells Fargo red printed frank, black "C.O.D." framed handstamp applied by Hinkley's Metropolitan Errand and Carrier local post, minor edge wear, otherwise fresh and Very Fine, extremely rare Oregon express marking, used in conjunction with a New York local post, illustrated in Dale Forster's Oregon Express Companies, ex Jarrett (Image)

$ 1,700

154

Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S. Frco. 11 Nov. Large blue double-circle datestamp on 10c Green Nesbitt entire to Philadelphia, red printed frank, "Blood's Penny Post Dec. 15 10-1/2 A.M. Philada." double-circle datestamp and "2 CTS" in circle for local delivery, 1860 receipt docketing, couple faint toned spots, very slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, scarce combination of express and local-post services (Image)

$ 1,000

155

Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Placerville. Blue oval handstamp and matching "Paid" in oval, 3c Dull Red (11), clear to large margins, corner crease, tied by "New-York May 14" circular datestamp on 6c Green Nesbitt entire to Syracuse N.Y., edges worn, reinforced at corners, Fine, unusual use of 1851 stamp, possibly intended to pay postage from NYC to Syracuse thru sender's misunderstanding of rates

$ 250

156

Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank and their blue "Paid" oval handstamp, 1c Blue, Ty. V, 3c Dull Red (24, 26), 3c pair, tied by "Paid" oval cancels, red "Boston Mass. Oct. 16" double-circle datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire to South Lee Mass., fresh and Extremely Fine, a colorful and scarce usage, ex Moody

$ 850

157

Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express, S. Frco. 1 Aug. Large double-circle datestamp struck twice on 10c Green entire (U41) to Philadelphia, red printed frank, red "Boston Mass. Aug. 26" double-circle datestamp and black "Paid" in oval, Very Fine, colorful and choice express usage

$ 400

158

Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Feb. 3. Blue oval datestamp on 10c Green entire to Griggsville Ill., Wells Fargo red printed frank, "New-York Feb. 28, 1863" double-circle datestamp and fancy circle of wedges in circle cancel, skillfully cleaned, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, carried outside the mails from Virginia City to New York City and back across the country to Illinois

$ 600

159

Wells, Fargo & Co. Paid. Printed frank and blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Feb. 10" oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire to New York City street address, "Boyd's Dispatch 36 Fulton St. Mar. 2" circular datestamp and "Paid" in circle, pencil "Closed", lightly creased, opening tears in flap, still Fine, scarce usage

$ 350

160

Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Jul. 7. Bold blue oval datestamp ties 3c Deep Rose (65) on yellow cover to New York City street address, Wells Fargo corner card crossed out, "Collect/2 cts." handstamp applied by Boyd's for local delivery, backflap removed, small mend at upper left corner, still Very Fine, scarce usage entirely outside the mails

$ 450

161

Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Apr. 22. Bold blue oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire with printed frank to New York City street address, "Collect/2 cts." handstamp applied by Boyd's for local delivery, reduced at left, still Very Fine, scarce usage entirely outside the mails

$ 325

162

Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Eureka HB. Blue oval handstamp with initials on 3c Pink entire to Orono Me., black printed frank, "New-York Jul. 3 6 P.M." circular datestamp and circle of wedges, slight wear around edges, Very Fine

$ 220

163

Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank on 3c Pink entire with Portland Oregon merchant's lithographed ad, to Portland Me., blue "Savannah Ga. Dec. 17" duplex datestamp and circle of wedges, Very Fine, probably not carried by express

$ 350

164

Whiting & Co's Feather River Express. Paid. Printed frank on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to East Longmeadow Mass., "Bidwell's Bar Cal. Jan. 2" circular datestamp, "Paid" handstamp and ms. "7" additional rate (7c plus 3c entire for 10c rate), 1858 docketing, minor edge wear and small tears, still Fine, extremely scarce frank and unusual in combination with uprated entire

$ 2,100

165

A. J. Wood's Oroville, Susanville and Taylorville Express. Printed corner card (or frank) on 3c Pink entire to Gen. J. W. Denver in Washington D.C., ms. "Longville Nov. 25/66" pmk., light stain at top left, Very Fine, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Vogel and Haas

$ 1,100