Gilbert & Hedges Express, San Diego., blue oval handstamp (GIL-100) on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, with Wines Express blue fancy boxed "Collect" handstamp (WIN-2020a, four examples recorded, one is found in Wiltsee) applied when turned over to Wines for delivery in San Francisco, penciled street address likely notated by Wines; small cover tone spots, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate  $4,000 - 6,000. THE UNIQUE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS HANDSTAMP FROM SAN DIEGO - A REMARKABLE COMBINATION USAGE WITH WINES & CO. EXPRESS DELIVERING LOCALLY WITHIN SAN FRANCISCO. Gilbert & Hedges express operated around 1855 along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. In 1854, the express firn Dillon, Hedge & Co. was located on Kearny St. near Merchant and it is believed that the Hedge of this firm is the same in the Gilbert & Hedges partnership. Only four Gilbert & Hedge's handstamps have been recorded. Two "Monterey" handstamp usages and one "San Francisco" handstamp (Wiltsee Collection) are known. $0 (Image)