The February Sale

Adams & Co., Sacramento, blue express company double-circle datestamp cancels 3¢ red (U2) buff entire with Nesbitt seal on backflap to San Francisco; barely reduced at left with some insignificant creases, Very Fine, the double-circle cancel was used by Adams & Co. for only a short period of time.

Thomas No. ADA-100c   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

"Batchelders Express", manuscript express company marking and " 50cts " express rating on "The Union Forever" Flag Patriotic cover with Gen. Dix inscription bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by blue grid, matching "Keokuk, Iowa datestamp from the James Stuart correspondence to Fort Owens, Flathead Country, Washington Territory , endorsed "Via Walla Walla" at lower left, bold San Francisco "Due 7" handstamp crossed out by Batchelders when express rated; some edge wear and reduced slightly at right, flap missing, Very Fine and rare, ex-Edwards .

Thomas No. BAT-100   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED BATCHELDERS EXPRESS USES, A REMARKABLE WASHINGTON TERRITORY EXPRESS PATRIOTIC USE.

Little in the way of historical information is available concerning the operation of this express. It is assumed that it operated from some point on the Oregon Trail, most likely Fort Bridger or Fort Hall, and apparently carried mail into the Bitterroot Valley. It appears to have been a small, one- or two-man operation that functioned for a short period of time.

In 1850, Major John Owen established Fort Owen, a trading post and fort in the Bitterroot River Valley. This outpost was located about 25 miles south of present-day Missoula, Montana. Several covers are addressed to Mr. Stuart (also spelled "Stewart") at this location, including some via Bannack Express.

Despite the "via Walla Walla" endorsement, it is likely this cover most likely came to the Oregon Trail and was passed to Batchelder's Express at some point on the trail.

References: Illustrated in Nathan's "Franks of Western Expresses" on p. 19.

Illustrated in Thomas "The Western Express Companies, 1850-90" on p. 182. (Census WC4535).

Coast Line Stage Co., San Francisco, Cal., printed corner card with handsome illustration of horses and stagecoach bearing 3¢ Green (184), perf flaws, tied by "San Francisco Cal. Nov 30" cds duplexed with cork cancel on 1878 cover to New York N.Y., original matching illustrated letterhead with "Coast Line Stage & Express Line" heading, some separations, Very Fine, ex-Haas, Edwards .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS COAST LINE STAGE CO. SAN FRANCISCO ILLUSTRATED COVER.

Most of the recorded examples of this scarce Coast Line Stage Co. illustrated design are badly reduced into the stamp. This company is supposed to have carried the U.S. mail and Wells Fargo Express from San Francisco to points south between 1868 and the late 1870s.

Eureka Express Co., Paid, Columbian Issue, blue printed frank on 2¢ Columbian (U349) entire to North Bloomfield Cal., with enclosure datelined "Nevada City, May 17, 1895"; small nick at bottom, F.-V.F. and scarce Columbian frank.

Thomas No. EUR-003   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

From a base at North Bloomfield, California this express operated between the north and south forks of the Yuba River serving the Eureka mining areas. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City and North San Juan.

G. H. Wines & Co.'s California Express, spectacular printed frank with elaborate eagle and shield design on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire canceled by blue "Rhodes & Whitney's Express, Weaverville" express oval to Shasta Cal.; some light wrinkling, Very Fine and rare, ex-Edwards .

Thomas No. WIE-101   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

AN OUTSTANDING WESTERN EXPRESS COVER WITH THE RARE WINES & COMPANY'S PRINTED FRANK USING A PATRIOTIC MOTIF.

G.H. Wines was based in San Francisco and ran into Sacramento. From these locations they extended into both the northern and southern mining areas of early California., and into Oregon through the use of other feeder expresses. They had offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and New York. They connected with the east coast through Nicaragua.

Greenhood & Newbauer Express / Weaverville, Cal., blue company oval on 3¢ red (U10) buff entire to San Francisco Cal. with Greenhood & Newbauer, Northern Express printed frank, fresh and Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Hopkinson's Express. Paid. Nevada, Red Dog, You Bet and Dutch Flat., framed printed frank on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire canceled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co, Nevada, Mar 30" oval to San Francisco Cal., reverse with docketed from "Mrs. C. Dryman, Litte York, Nevada Co. Cal." and "Recd & Ansd - March 30. 1869"; reduced slightly at right, tiny top edge tear, Very Fine and choice, ex-Edwards ; with 1980 P.F. certificate.

Thomas No. HOP-010   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS FANCY HOPKINSON'S EXPRESS FRANK, A REMARKABLE CONJUNCTIVE WELLS FARGO USE.

The other recorded example of this rare frank is dated Mar. 23, 1869 from the same correspondence offered in the Siegel 2005 Rarity Sale in lot 656 realizing $4,130.

Pacific Express Co. Paid., printed Horse and Rider frank with manuscript " LR " initials of Levi Robie on 10¢ green (U18) buff Nesbitt entire to Coila N.Y., endorsed "Mail at N.Y." at lower left, postmarked in transit "New York, Nov 14" cds; light tone spots, still a Very Fine and rare use, ex-Knapp .

Thomas No. PAC-001   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

AN EXCEPTIONAL RARE PACIFIC EXPRESS CO. FRANK WITH LEVI ROBIE INITIALS ON A 10¢ ENTIRE TO THE EAST COAST.

It is believed the manuscript initials applied in the area around the front legs of the horse were an approval for express usage that appeared early in the life cycle of Pacific Express Co.

Pacific Express, Paid, illustrated running pony express frank on 10¢ green (U18) buff Nesbitt entire canceled by partial blue "Pacific Express Co., San Francisco, Oct 20" double-circle datestamp to Boston Mass., entered mails with "New-York, Nov 13" cds; some edge wear and light creasing at top, Very Fine, ex-Edwards .

Thomas No. PAC-001   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

(Wells Fargo & Co.) Salmon River & Nez Perces Express, Paid 50 Cents, boxed frank and additional Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank on 3¢ pink (U34) entire canceled by "Wells, Fargo & Co., Portland, Jul 10" oval datestamp to Oregon City, Oregon; some edge wear, reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F. and scarce Idaho express use, ex-Edwards .

Thomas No. WFE-215   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

Edward Tracy (1861-62) started applying a surcharge (50¢, 75¢ and $1.00 rates) to envelopes for service between the Salmon River and Nez Perces mining are in Idaho and Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where Wells, Fargo & Co. provided connections to other locations. When Wells Fargo bought out Tracy in April 1862, they continued to honor the Tracy surcharge printed frank as in this case (TRA-604).

Pacific Stage & Express Co., Paid., printed oval express frank illustrated with four-horse stagecoach on 3c pink (U34) buff entire canceled by mostly clear blue " P.S. & E. Co., Nevada " circular handstamp (PAS-100) from the Hill correspondence to San Francisco Cal., reverse with "June 23, 1864" docketing; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, ex-Edwards .

Thomas No. PAS-003   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS WONDERFUL PACIFIC STAGE & EXPRESS CO. FRANK.

Pacific Stage & Express Co. was operated by James McCue and Michael Rees between 1860 and 1864. It ran between San Francisco and Sacramento, to Virginia City, Nevada. This express operated through the Henness Pass north of Lake Tahoe to Virginia City. It operated from this terminus of the Central Pacific Railroad as it pushed through the Sierras to Virginia City.

References: Illustrated in Letters of Gold

Illustrated in Thomas "The Western Express Companies, 1850-90" on p. 672. (Census WC3270).

Wells Fargo & Co., Paid, printed frank on fresh 3¢ pink (U34) buff entire bearing 6¢ rose (65) block of six tied by strikes of blue "Wells Fargo & Co's Express, S. Frco, 15 Dec" double-circle datestamps, pasted on reverse of legal-size Bigelow Brothers & Flint General Insurance Agents overall illustrated building ad cover with additional strike of blue "Wells Fargo & Co's Express, S. Frco, 15 Dec" double-circle datestamp and matching "Paid" oval **to Gold Hill; reduced slightly at left, some wear, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Edwards .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

A RARE INTACT SEVEN-TIMES RATE PASTE-BACK USE WITH A BLOCK OF THE 3¢ 1861 ISSUE.

Wells Fargo & Co., Paid, printed frank on 3¢ pink (U33) entire with beautiful " Brooklyn Hotel " building illustrated corner card canceled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co's. Express, S.Frco., 14 Jan" double-circle datestamp to Yreka, Cal.; small tears at top right, Very Fine and most attractive, ex-Edwards .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Wood & Co's Express., illustrated fancy frank showing miner with pick on 3¢ pink (U58) buff entire cancelled by partial blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Marysville, Jun" oval datestamp to San Francisco Cal.; bottom right corner slightly clipped, Very Fine.

Thomas No. WOO-001   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

On Nov. 2nd 1867, Wood & Co.'s Express announced service from Susanville to Oroville, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express at Oroville. Service was shortly thereafter extended from Oroville and Chico to Longville, Greenville, Taylorville, Susanville and all intermediate places. It was announced May 30th 1868 that "Wood & Co. have sold out their Express line from Susanville to Oroville to Wells, Fargo & Co." .