(Mail Routes) 1843 (Mar. 21) Boston, Mass. to Mazatlan, Mexico via Panama and Monterey. Datelined folded letter addressed to "Mazatlan, Coast of California" in care of the U.S. Consul John Parrott, sent to Panama where "Forwarded by Ernest Zachrisson, Panama" framed handstamp struck, then carried by the Monitor to Monterey where endorsed on flap "Rec'd from passenger of the Juanita the day after you sailed T.O.L.", reverse with "Forwarded by Thomas O. Larkin, Monterey, California" double-line oval forwarding handstamp with fleuron, bold "Puerto de Mazatlan" boxed handstamp with "1" reale due handstamp for single letter rate of 1 to 15 leagues (tariff of November 3rd 1842); some light toning, vertical file fold, Very Fine and rare, ex-Allan Goldberg.
Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.

AN EXCEPTIONAL EARLY LETTER FROM BOSTON TO MAZATLAN WITH THE RARE THOMAS O. LARKIN OF MONTEREY, ALTA CALIFORNIA FORWARDING HANDSTAMP.

Letters to the West Coast of North America prior to January 1849 were carried privately and forwarded by a network of agents and U.S. consuls making use of whatever vessels were available.

Thomas O. Larkin arrived in California in 1832 and was appointed the first and only U.S. Consul to Alta California (then part of Mexico) at Monterey on May 1, 1843 by President James K. Polk. This was to become a turbulent time leading up to Mexican War and Larkin played an important part in diplomatic relations. He also served as a mail forwarder in addition to other diplomatic duties until 1846, when war broke out with Mexico and he was captured by the Mexican Army. Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

(Mail Routes) 1851 (Apr. 26) New York N.Y. to San Francisco Cal. Datelined blue Gibbs correspondence folded letter endorsed "pr Steamer Prometheus" ship endorsement, reverse with clear full strike of red "Forwarded Through Gilpin's Exchange, Reading Room and Foreign Letter Office, N-York" oval handstamp, Berford & Co.'s Express red "Paid" handstamp, carried by Vanderbilt Line Prometheus departing New York Apr. 28th to Charges arriving May 5th, then PMSS Isthmus from Panama May 20th to San Francisco arriving Jun. 7th, pencil "Rec'd per Isthmus June 7/51" pencil inside docketing, Extremely Fine, a wonderful express usage sent on Vanderbilt's Independent Line, ex-Walske.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Reference: Illustrated in Coburn's Letters of Gold on p. 92. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

(Mail Routes) The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Dec 8. Sharp strike of oval company handstamp on yellow cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26), corner fault, canceled by bold "Paid" handstamp, matching "Pacific City Ioa Dec" cds to C. Nuckolls at Mountain City, Kansas Territory, endorsed "Care C.O.C. & P.P. Express, St. Joseph" at lower left; no back flap, Very Fine and scarce use.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(Mail Routes) (Overland Mail - Central Route) Saint Louis Mo., Jun 2, 1862. Two indistinct cds strikes tie 3¢ rose (65) vertical strip of three, used with uncancelled 1¢ blue (63) for the 10¢ transcontinental rate on "North Missouri Railroad" oval corner card cover to Sgt. Wm. Wheeling, Co. F 1st Infantry, Cal Vols at Fort Yuma, Cal.; small edge tear and some wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Mail Routes) New York & California Steam Ship Line for San Francisco. Illustrated C. Morgan Agent corner card showing steamship on orange cover to Washington, N.Y., partial "New-York 'Ship 7 Cts' Nov 14" integral-rate due cds; some wear, Fine and scarce early version of design, ex-Hahn.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

This steamship line was taken over from Vanderbilt. (See Dec. 1996 Western Express). Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

(Mail Routes) Noisy Carriers Mail., 77 Long Wharf S.F. Cal. Full bold fancy box handstamp on orange buff cover bearing 10¢ green (14), four margins, tied by "San Francisco, Cal., 5 Feb" cds to Wilbraham Mass.; light tone spot barely affects stamp, Very Fine and choice strike of this letter bag operator handstamp.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Noisy Carriers operated by Charles P. Kimball (1821-1894) acted as a forwarder in San Francisco and sent mails to the east by both the Panama and Nicaragua routes. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

(Mail Routes) Steam Panama. Oval handstamp with matching "San Francisco Cal, 10, Sep 9" integral-due cds on inbound 1860s cover most likely from South America, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300