Adams & Co. 1853 (Jun. 1) San Francisco, Cal. to Glasgow, Scotland via Adams Express blue linen-lined Gibbs correspondence cover endorsed "per Str 'California' to Panama thence via N. York" and "p. Adams Cos. Express to be Mailed in N. York", carried out of mails by PMSS California from San Francisco Jun. 1st to Panama arriving Jun. 16th, then USMSC Georgia from Aspinwall Jun. 19th to New York arriving Jun. 29th, entered mails with black "New-York Am. Pkt. Jul 2" debit exchange cds and manuscript "84" rating for four-times the 21¢ rate, carried transatlantic by Havre Line Humboldt from New York Jul. 2nd to Southampton arriving Jul. 13th, red London (7.14.1853) transit back stamp and "4" shilling rating for the quadruple rate, Glasgow (7.14) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, signed Frajola.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Adams & Co., Over Our California and Coast Routes, Paid. Octagon frank located at top right (ADA-001) of rebacked cover front to Los Angeles, Cal., with full clear strike of red "Adams & Co. Express, Monterey" oval handstamp (ADA-103a), Very Fine and choice appearance.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR PRINTED FRANKS USED WHILE ADAMS & CO. WAS STILL IN OPERATION.

This extremely rare printed frank was the very first express frank, used between very late 1854 and when Adams closed in February of 1855. Seven examples of this frank are known, however three where used after Adams had closed. Only three examples of the Adam's Monterey handstamp are known with this being the only one on a franked envelope.

This cover is addressed to Pacificus Ord who was U.S. District Attorney at Los Angeles between December 1854 and August 1855. Pacificus was one of the framers of the California Constitution and, as most historians agree, that he along with his brothers are the illegitimate grandson of King George IV. Fort Ord is named after his brother Edward. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Adams & Co., Sonora. Blue bold oval with matching boxed "Paid" handstamp on 1853 folded letter to San Francisco, written on Sept. 14 with manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Lyons.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Adams & Co., Sonora, May 17. Red bold oval with matching "Paid" boxed handstamp on fresh blue folded letter to San Francisco, manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, an Extremely Fine gem, Pictured in Letters of Gold.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Adams & Cos. Express, Sonora. Bold blue oval with matching "Paid" boxed handstamp on blue 1853 folded letter to San Francisco, written on March 30, 1853 and manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, Extremely Fine and choice, Pictured in Letters of Gold., ex-Lyons.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Adams & Co., Los Angeles. Partial strike of red oval datestamp with matching "Paid" in oval handstamp on blue cover to Bidwells Bar, Butte County, Cal. bearing manuscript cancelled 1¢ blue, type IV (9) strip of three, deep rich color, large margins to in at bottom; blue "Adams & Co., San Francisco, Jan 22" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine and scarce use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The Adams location at Los Angeles is quite scarce as it was a small town at this time and had little to do with the gold rush. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Adams & Co. Express, Monterey. Large red oval handstamp (ADA-103a) on folded letter docketed "Monterey, Jany 2nd, 1855" to the California Farmer in San Francisco, with additional blue "Adams & Co., San Jose, Jan 6" oval transit date stamp (ADA-101), F.-V.F., one of three known examples of the Adams & Co. handstamp from Monterey, ex-Polland.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Adams & Co. Express, Southern Coast. Large red circular handstamp (ADA-107) on folded letter dated "May 11, 1854" and addressed to San Francisco dealing with timber on unfinished wharf at San Diego, manuscript "due 25 cts" pencil express and "per Str Southerner" ship endorsement; file folds and some light toning, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE SOUTHERN COAST HANDSTAMP IN RED - TWO OTHER EXAMPLES ARE IN BLUE WITH ONE RESIDING IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.

The Steamer Southerner was first outfitted for the Law's Line as the Steamer Isthmus (500 tones) and first arrived in San Francisco on May 9, 1850. The Isthmus was acquired by The Pacific Mail Line, renamed Southerner and in 1854 was operating between San Diego and San Francisco. She was lost on January 17, 1855 after striking a sand bar at the mouth of the Columbia River. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Barlow, Sanderson & Co. The Great Southern Overland Mail & Express Co. Letter datelined "Kansas City May 11 1866" from T.J. Barnum, a partner of the firm regarding its creation to his brother reading in part: "…Who ever heard of an old stager to quit untill he had to. I am in to for four years more when I hope to give up this wild life and stay at Home…I shall be in New Mexico Arrizona & Probably California as we have got the Great Southern Overland Mail & Express from the Missouri River to San Diego - the largest but one in the United States. The firm is Barlow Sanderson & Co. Your humble servant myself is the Co. thats where the joke comes in but I am the youngest Partner & the name is long enough so it won't do to cover the Stage all over with letters…", accompanied by original cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by circle of wedges duplexed with "Kansas City Mo. May 12" cds to his brother at Middlefield Centre N.Y., Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Additional Images.
View a PDF of images for this lot Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Carnes City Letter Express. Red double line oval handstamp on unused envelope, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Clarke's Centennial Express, Sidney Short Route to the Black Hills. Printed frank in green (CLA-011) on unused 3¢ Green Centennial entire, reverse with all over advertising text, Very Fine and rare.
Scott No. U221; Estimate $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Coast Line San Juan & Los Angeles, U.S. Mail Stage Company. Imprint on ca. 1862 cover to the editor of the California Farmer in San Francisco, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by the only recorded "San Juan, Cal., May 25" first type cds (MOT-3090) and quartered cork handstamp; cover reduction at left expertly repaired with portions of imprint painted in, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Coast Line Stage Co. Attractive illustrated design on 1880 cover showing "Horse Drawn Stage" to San Juan franked with 3¢ Bank Note with "Jolon" (Williams MOT-1130) postmark, original enclosure showing matching illustrated letterhead in black with printed text "Office of Coast Line Stage and Express Line", letter written by William Taylor, General Superintendent of the firm to Mr. Thomas Flint, one of the owners of the Stage line, cover forwarded to Monterey with violet "San Juan" octagon (Williams SAB-1080) postmark, cover roughly at right affecting stamp & some minor cover aging at bottom left, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Paid over Davenport & Salmon River Stage Line. Printed frank on 2¢ green (U312) amber entire cancelled by "Ruby, Wash. Aug 13" cds to Portland Ore., corner card with "Davenport" crossed out and updated to Ruby, partial 1889 arrival backstamp, Very Fine and rare Washington Territory express use, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. DAE-001; Estimate $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED DAVENPORT & SALMON RIVER STAGE LINE EXPRESS.

This was a stage line that ran from Davenport, Washington into the Salmon River area of Idaho. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Eureka Express Co. Black company frank on 1874, 3¢ green entire to San Francisco, canceled by "Wells, Fargo & Co., Nevada, Cal. Nov 30" oval date stamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This express operated in the mountain camps above the Yuba and Feather Rivers. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Everts, Wilson & Co.'s Daily Express. Rare blue fancy box frank (EVW-006b) on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, canceled by bold "Wells, Fargo & Co., Marysville, Nov 10" oval date stamp, neat 1859 docketing at left; missing backflap, otherwise Very Fine and attractive, a very rare frank, with only five other examples recorded in Thomas.
Scott No. U10; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Freeman & Co.'s Express, Oct 20. Red cds on circa 1853 orange cover to San Francisco Cal., Very Fine, One of only eight known usages of the Freeman cds, ex-Hahn.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Freeman & Co's Express. Clear complete strike of early oval handstamp (FRE-101) from the Freeman's Office at Marysville, on buff cover to Sacramento; minor scuff in address panel, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Tatham.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF TWO EXAMPLES OF THE SMALL BLUE FREEMAN & CO'S EXPRESS OVAL HANDSTAMP FROM THE MARYSVILLE OFFICE.

Only two examples of the small blue Freeman first period (November, 1850 - November, 1851) ovals are recorded. Both are addressed to Sacramento. This small oval is recorded in black from San Francisco, red from Sacramento and blue from Marysville. This is the only instance of an early express using color with the same type of handstamp to delineate office location. All of the small ovals are rare with the red being the most common. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Freeman & Co.'s Express, Monterey. Red oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, red company scroll frank and manuscript "Oct 11th" docketing; some opening tears at top one affecting indicia, F.-V.F., the unique Freeman & Co.'s Express handstamp from Monterey which is unlisted by Thomas.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Freeman & Co.'s Express, Murphy's. Black oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with red banner company frank, on cover to San Francisco, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Freeman & Co.'s, Sacramento, Nov 2. Blue over handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, red ribbon frank and Klopstock & Co. corner card at lower left; small corner nick at top right, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Frey's Valentine Express. Red advertising corner card on unused buff cover, with "With Compliments of St. Valentine" above address, Very Fine, a rare San Francisco Valentine local.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

(Gahagan & Howe) City, G. & H. Express, 423 Washn. St. S.E. Cor., Sansome St. Sharp bold blue oval handstamp on stampless envelope for local San Francisco delivery, red "F. Boilleau, San Francisco" company sender's handstamp; repaired cover nick at top and light edge wear, otherwise Very Fine, a lovely example of this short lived company which delivered mail locally in San Francisco.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Gilbert & Hedges Express, Monterey. Two strikes of oval handstamp (GIL-101), one cancelling on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to "P. Ord Esq., U.S. Dist Attorney, Los Angeles, California"; entire with some small tone spots, Very Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE FINER OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS "MONTEREY" HANDSTAMP.

Gilbert & Hedges short-lived express operated around 1855 along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. In 1854, the express firm 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, one "San Diego" and one "San Francisco" handstamp (Wiltsee Collection) are known.

This cover is addressed to Pacificus Ord who was U.S. District Attorney at Los Angeles between December 1854 and August 1855. Pacificus was one of the framers of the California Constitution and, as most historians agree, that he along with his brothers are the illegitimate grandson of King George IV. Fort Ord is named after his brother Edward. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Gilbert & Hedges Express, Monterey. Oval handstamp (GIL-101) on uncanceled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to San Francisco, Very Fine, ex-Jessup.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS "MONTEREY" HANDSTAMP.

Gilbert & Hedges express operated around 1855 for approximately six months along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. They may have extended as far south to the ports along the cost of Mexico and South America. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000