California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue. Complete sheet of 12 comprising two panes of six with horizontal interpane gutter, original gum, handstamped serial no. 104 on all stamps (some double strikes incl. top two stamps); slightly toned, light horizontal crease and central crimping at center as usual since these were folded and stapled into booklets, top right corner rounded, Fine.
Scott No. 5T1; $9,500 as two panes.

ONE OF THREE RECORDED COMPLETE SHEETS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE TELEGRAPH COMPANY 1870 "BUSINESS" FRANK STAMP. THIS IS THE LARGEST POSSIBLE MULTIPLE, A GREAT TELEGRAPH STAMP RARITY.

The California Telegraph Company was the product of the 1861 consolidation of four companies responsible for the first transcontinental telegraph line. The 1870 Blue & Black typeset "Business" frank was the first issue. The black type was printed from a setting of six subjects repeated twice in a sheet of 12, with a blue background of ornaments also arranged in six subjects repeated twice in a sheet. Position 1 (top left in each pane of six) has an inverted ornament in the blue background at lower left (bottom row, second ornament), which breaks the pattern of diamond shapes. Position 3 has a repeating flaw in the "F" of "Free".

Booklets of 100 stamps were made by inserting 16 panes of 6 (96 stamps total) plus four additional stamps. The Kramer book speculates that stamps with red crayon serial numbers were added to the the booklets to make up the 100 count. Scott $9,500 as two panes
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Scott $9,500 as two panes

California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue. Block of four with interpane selvage at bottom, never hinged o.g. (brownish as usual), Fine and scarce multiple.
Scott No. 5T1; $2,600. Scott $2,600
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Scott $2,600

Colusa, Lake and Mendocino Telegraph Co., 1876, 5¢ black. From the top row, blue handstamp ("P.L.W."), well centered, unused, Very Fine.
Scott No. 7T1; $1,100. Scott $1,100
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Scott $1,100

North American Telegraph Co., 1907, green. Serial no. 1799, nicely centered, bottom left position, o.g.; tiny bottom left corner crease, Very Fine appearance, one of the rarest regularly issued Telegraph stamps.
Scott No. 10T8; $2,250. Scott $2,250
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Scott $2,250

Postal Telegraph Co., 1911, yellow, "S.W." official. Well centered from the bottom row, bright color on fresh paper, o.g., Extremely Fine.
Scott No. 15TO27; $500. Scott $500
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Scott $500