Hawley & Co.'s Express. Black shield handstamp clearly struck on immaculate blue folded letter datelined "San Francisco, Nov 18. 1850" to to Sacramento City Cal., Very Fine and choice, ex-Jarrett.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE FANCY HAWLEY & CO.'S EXPRESS SHIELD HANDSTAMP, ONLY 7 STRIKES ARE RECORDED INCLUDING ONE IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.

This short lived company operated from 1849 to 1850 only, about a month after this letter was sent, the company was bought by J.M. Freeman, and became Freeman's Express. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Pony Express, San Francisco, Oct. 13. Detailed strike of blue Running Pony oval handstamp ties 10¢ green (35), deep rich color, on light yellow cover New York City, endorsed "By Pony" at top left in manuscript and pencil "1/4" ounce rating adjacent, neat strike of "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph Mo. Oct 25" oval datestamp, clear strike of black "St. Joseph Mo. Oct 26, 1860" cds; small stamp repair at bottom right slightly affecting cancel, trivial backflap repair and reattached, Very Fine and choice, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate.
Estimate; $20,000 - 30,000.

A BEAUTIFUL EASTBOUND RUNNING PONY EXPRESS USE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO NEW YORK.

This was carried on the Pony Express trip leaving San Francisco on October 13, 1860, arriving twelve days later in St. Joseph on Oct. 25th (Trip ET-29 in The Pony Express p. 87). Est. $20,000-30,000 (Image)

Est. $20,000-30,000

Wells Fargo & Co. Red printed paid frank, on 10¢ green (U16) buff Nesbitt entire cancelled by "New-York, Apr 27" cds to John Denver, Governor of Kansas at Lecompton, 1858 docketing at left, original enclosed letter datelined "Marysville. April 3d 1858" concerning "inter alia", the payment of which can only be termed a bribe to Denver for using his official capacity to secure title to lands in California; some edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Mader.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

The letter reads in part, "…I forwarded to you at Washington, Some very important letters requesting you to lend your aid in expediting the issuance of a "patent", The letter contains a draft for $50. designed to cover any necessary costs and authorize you if you would give the matter your attention, to draw on me for $500…Among other I sent you at Washington by Wells Fargo & Co Express. A book known as the 'Ranch Book' which is of great value to the proprietors of the Grant in as much as it contains the names of nearly all the squatters on the ranch…" it goes on to discuss protesting of land matter, etc. and ends with a post script of "For Heavens sake dont let that book be lost". Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Wells Fargo & Co., Publishers' Stamp, 1876, blue. Large margin single with huge margins, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, San Diego, Cal." oval handstamp on wrapper to Coronado Cal., Extremely Fine, ex-Robson Lowe, signed Bolaffi (handstamp), with 1974 Bolaffi, 1970 and 2016 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 143LP10; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

AN OUTSTANDING AND RARE WRAPPER USE OF THE WELLS FARGO PUBLISHERS' STAMP IN SUCH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000