Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

Berford & Co's Express, Paid. Oval handstamp frank (BER-103) on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, entered the mails with "San Jose, Cal., Aug 19" cds; light soiling and tear at left, otherwise Very Fine, a rare express frank with only seven examples recorded, three of which are unused, ex Barkhausen.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Berford & Co's Californian Express. Blue oval handstamp (BER-102) on folded letter sheet to San Francisco, privately carried from England to New York where red "B & Co., Collect" handstamp was applied; sealed edge tears at top, otherwise Very Fine, the finest example of this scarce Californian handstamp, with only six examples recorded.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Bowers Express (Forwarded By). Clear full strike of oval handstamp (BOW-100) on 1851 double rate cover to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, entered the mails with "San Francisco, Cal., Jul 15" cds and matching "20" rate, Extremely Fine, an exceptional strike of this early pioneer express company.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Bowers Express operated from late 1849 until October of 1851, carrying from Nevada City area (Caldwell'...

Brown's Express (Forwarded By). Blue oval handstamp and matching "$1." express rate on incoming 1851 folded letter to Stockton, Cal., manuscript "Pennville, Ind., Aug 28" origin postmark and "10" rate; light cover toning and small central tear at top, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Brown's Express between Stockton and the Southern Mines was started in 1850 by William A. Brown, who in 1853 was shot...

Crook's Express, Scotts River. Clear oval handstamp in usual light blue color (CRO-100) on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to the Editor of the Chronicle in Yreka, blue Wells, Fargo & Co. straight line "Shasta" handstamp above (crossed out after connecting with Crook's) and black company frank at top left, Very Fine, a rare express usage, with only eight examples of this handstamp are known.
Estimate; $750 - 1,...

Freeman & Co.'s Express, Jul 20. Full clear circular date stamp (FRM-104) on cover to San Francisco, Very Fine and choice, a scarce westbound express usage, only four strikes of this Freeman's New York are known (one in Wiltsee collection).
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Freeman & Co., Sacramento. Bold blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with scarcer type red ribbon company frank, to San Francisco, manuscript "value $5.00, Paid 25¢" money package notation, upper left corner repair and backflap tear, still Very Fine, a choice strike.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

Freeman & Co., Stockton, Aug. 2. Blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with red printed frank and matching red printed corner card for "Bisagno Brothers, Dealers in Crockery, Glassware, Hardware, &c" in Stockton, to the Bisagno Brothers store in San Francisco, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

Gregory's Atlantic and Pacific Express. Four-line "Forwarded By Thompson & Hitchcock, 149 Pearl St., N.Y." handstamp and two matching strikes of oval "Paid" handstamps on blue 1851 folded letter datelined "New York September 23d 1851" to San Francisco with steamer "Illinois" endorsement at lower left, 1851 docketing at left and additional strike of four-line handstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Gregory's Express "Pocket Letter Book". Unused 1851 gold on black glazed letter book, Thompson & Hitchcock imprint, with original buff envelope, Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

Hinckley & Co.'s Express, Denver City, Oct 22, 1860. Company cds on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt buff entire to Smithville Ga. with printed scroll frank at upper left, entered mails with "Saint Joseph Mo Oct 31" cds and with matching target canceling indicia; minor edge flaws strengthened, still Very Fine and rare use.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Holladay Overland Mail & Express Co. Black company frank (HLY-001) on unused 1864, 3¢ pink entire; some faint soil spots, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott No. U58; Estimate $100 - 150.