Alta Express Co. Printed illustrated river scene frank showing steamboat, on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire cancelled by red "Alta Express Company, Sacramento" oval handstamp to Auburn Cal.; small part of flap missing, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Barkhausen.
Thomas No. ALT-001; Estimate $300 - 400.

After the failure of the Pacific Express in April 1857, Belam, Farrington and Frost formed Alta Express. They operated throughout the northern and central part of California. They connected at Marysville with Everts, Wilson & Co., Langton Pioneer Express, Whitney & Co. Feather River Express and Yuba Express. From their main office in San Francisco they connected with Freeman Express for British Columbia and the Atlantic States, and Nichols Express for Oregon and Washington. After about a year they sold out to Wells Fargo. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

American Express. Printed illustrated frank showing train and steamboat, on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire cancelled by manuscript "Watsonville" to San Francisco Cal., F.-V.F.
Thomas No. AME-004; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS AMERICAN EXPRESS PRINTED FRANK.

The routes for this express as reported on a company card, were along the coast of California and Oregon, Interior, Sacramento, San Jose, Monterey and San Quentin. This express was consolidated with Nichols & Co.'s in late 1858 and Nichols starting using the same pictorial frank. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Angiers North San Juan and Humbug Express. Printed frank with fancy frame on 3¢ pink (U58) entire to Oakland Cal.; repaired tear at right, Very Fine appearance.
Thomas No. ANG-001; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY SIX RECORDED ANGIERS NORTH SAN JUAN AND HUMBUG EXPRESS FRANKS.

It is believed that this was a stage service owned by P.J. Angier that provided an express mail service. This operation ran from North San Juan into the surrounding Humbug Mining District, connecting to Cherokee to Columbia Hill/North Columbia to Lake City to Humbug/North Bloomfield and back to North San Juan. It connected with Wells Fargo at North San Juan. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Becker & Co's Express, Roses Bar. Two strikes of black oval on folded cover to French Corral, endorsed "Forwarded by Beckers Post" at bottom; no side flaps, F.-V.F., ex-Pearce.
Thomas No. BEK-100; Estimate $300 - 400.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE BECKER & CO'S EXPRESS ROSES BAR OVAL.

Becker & Co. was a one-man tri-weekly express that operated from his base of French Corral Cal. along various bars of the Yuba River to Marysville. At points he connected with Gregory's Express and Wells Fargo. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

"Per Berches Stage". Manuscript endorsement misspelled for Birch's, on blue folded letter datelines "Mormon Island, June 24, 1850" to Sacramento City in care of the Bull Head Hotel, letter written by the Secretary of the Natoma Mining Co. discussing company business, "…We have made the race about 10 feet wide and have come to larger rocks and have prospects and have found gold.", Very Fine and rare, ex-"Tahoe".
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

James E. Birch, a stage driver from Rhode Island, formed a stage line bearing his name on September 1, 1849, serving the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills. The fare was set at $32.00 or 2 ounces of gold dust, which made it possible to travel between Mormon Island and Sacramento, spend and hour and return the same day. Birch's business thrived and by 1851 he was running daily service between Sacramento, Mormon Island and onto Coloma. When the railroad arrived in Folsom, twenty-one separate stage lines moved to Folsom. With over 50 stages a day arriving and leaving, Folsom soon became one of the busiest towns in the state and the largest staging center in California. In December 1853, these stages were consolidated in a joint stock company, the California Stage Company, with Birch as President. It was incorporated for $1,000,000. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Forwarded by Bowers Express. Full clear strike of oval handstamp on buff cover with red "San Francisco, 40, 15 Nov" integral rate cds to Windsor Vt.; some edge wear, Very Fine and choice strike, ex-Parker, Haas.
Thomas No. BOW-100; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Reference: Illustrated in Wiltsee

John Taylor Bowers, with help of brothers, began by transporting small packages, letters and gold dust between Caldwell's Upper Crossing and Sacramento, and from there extending to San Francisco. The location at Caldwell's Upper Crossing would soon be known as Nevada City and this was the first express operating out of the area. Very quickly they were servicing new locations of Nevada City, Grass Valley, Rough & Ready, Washington and the Placer locations along Poor Man Creek and the Yuba River. They advertised connecting with Freeman in Sacramento and Adams in San Francisco. Freeman purchased this express in October 1851. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Cherokee Express Paid. Printed frank with fancy frame on 3¢ pink (U34) buff entire cancelled by "Cherokee Cal" dateless circular handstamp (CHE-101) to Oroville Cal.; pencil 1862 notation, Very Fine, WC3882, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. CHE-002; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS CHEROKEE EXPRESS FRANK.

This small express operated between Oroville and the diggings across the mountain range that has been referred to as the Cherokee Diggings. They connected with Wells Fargo at Oroville, California. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Cherokee Express Paid. Bold strike of blue oval handstamp on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by "Oroville Cal., Apr" cds duplexed with cork cancel to Oroville Cal., pencil "Gen. Runyon" docketing at left; reduced at left with small mend, Very Fine appearance.
Thomas No. CHE-100; Estimate $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Copley & Co's Miners' Express. Choice strike of blue double-oval handstamp on buff cover to Marysville Cal., blue "Bennington Vt., Jul 3" origin cds and matching "Paid" and "10" rating handstamps, pencil "St. L 75" for Copley's 75¢ express fee to St. Louis, Ca; repaired at sides and across top, back flap added, Very Fine appearance, ex-Clifford, Hahn.
Thomas No. COP-100a; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED BLUE COPLEY & CO'S MINERS' EXPRESS OVALS ON COVER.

This express between Marysville running north to the Slate Creek Basin mining camps briefly operating circa 1856 by Jack Copley. This included but may not have been limited to Gibsonville, Saint Louis and Warren Hill, California connecting with the U.S. mail at Marysville for outgoing letters and with Wells Fargo for express items. The ovals struck in blue are known only on incoming mail. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Copley & Co's Miners' Express. Perfect sharp strike of red double-oval handstamp on 10¢ green (U17) Nesbitt entire to Sempronius N.Y., entered the mails with "New-York Sep 28" cds; toned spot at center, bit of flap missing, Extremely Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein., with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Thomas No. COP-100b; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF THE CLEAREST STRIKES OF THE DESIRABLE COPLEY & CO. MINERS' EXPRESS HANDSTAMP ON COVERS. A RARE WEST TO EAST USAGE THAT WAS CARRIED OUTSIDE THE REGULAR MAILS UNTIL IT REACHED NEW YORK CITY.

This express between Marysville running north to the Slate Creek Basin mining camps briefly operating circa 1856 by Jack Copley. This included but may not have been limited to Gibsonville, Saint Louis and Warren Hill, California connecting with the U.S. mail at Marysville for outgoing letters and with Wells Fargo for express items. The ovals struck in red are known only on outgoing mail. This cover has the added element of rarity in that it was carried outside the regular mails presumably by express via Panama or Nicaragua entering the mails at New York. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Cramer's Express. Violet ribbon frame with blue lettering Cramer's Express on 3¢ pink (U58) entire with company "Susanville, Vioado, Feb 27, 1870" double-oval datestamp (slightly strengthened in pen) to San Francisco Cal., sender endorsed from "Susanville Idaho", Very Fine and stunning express cover, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Tatham, Schaefer.
Thomas No. CRM-001; Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS CRAMER'S EXPRESS FRANK.

There are two types of franks, each unique, this is the type without the "connecting with Wells Fargo" text.

Charles Cramer stage and express route ran south out of Susanville along the western side of Honey Lake, down the eastern side of the Sierra Mountains and turned southeast into Nevada just before entering Reno Nev. During this period, Cramer formed stage and express partnerships with Fitch, Klein and McLellan, all of which were listed as operating over the same route. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

Cramer's Express, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. Purple scroll paid frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire to San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2009 P.F. certificate.
Thomas No. CRM-002; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS CRAMER'S EXPRESS "CONNECTING WITH WELLS, FARGO & CO." FRANK.

Cramer's Express operated as such September 19 to October 6th 1868, and again September 8th 1869 to August 19th 1870. He connected with stages for Oroville, Surprise Valley and Camp (Fort) Bidwell, and connected with Wells Fargo & Co. at Reno. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Crawford's Middle Fork Express. Red double-oval handstamp on cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by sharp bold "Camptonville Cal., Oct 1, 1859" cds and matching split grid cancel to Greenwood, Placer County, Cal., light pencil "Galina Hill"; some edge wear, Very Fine, Illustrated in "Letter's of Gold" on page 181.
Thomas No. CRW-100; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE CRAWFORD MIDDLE FORK EXPRESS HANDSTAMP, ONE OF WHICH IS CONTAINED IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.

Crawford was a small express company that had a brief period of operation around 1855-1856. It ran between Placerville and Greenwood, servicing mining camps around the Middle Fork of the American River. Crawford connected with Wells Fargo at Greenwood. Galina Hill was located about two miles north of Camptonville where this letter apparently originated. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Downieville and Howland Flat Express. Printed paid frank on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire to Downieville Cal., Very Fine, WC3966, ex-Jessup, Parker, Haas, illustrated in Letters of Gold.
Thomas No. DOW-001; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THIS DOWNIEVILLE AND HOWLAND FLAT EXPRESS FRANK.

It is believed that D.W. Roger operated this express service between Downieville Cal. and Howland Flat, a distance of 12 miles. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

English & Wells. Moore's Flat and Eureka Express. Printed frank with fancy frame, blue "Moore's Flat * Express * Sept 6" oval datestamp (ENW-200) and conjunctive "Wells Fargo Co., Nevada, Sep 7" oval datestamp on 3¢ pink (U59) entire to San Francisco Cal., 1868 docketing at left; corner stain and slightly rough opening, F.-V.F., WC8343, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. ENW-003; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A RARE CONJUNCTIVE ENGLISH & WELLS "MOORE'S FLAT AND EUREKA EXPRESS" AND WELLS FARGO USE.

L.H. Wells sold his stage and express service that ran from a base at North San Juan in May 1868. In June 1868, he purchased John Gregory's half interest of Gregory and English's express operation. With Joseph Randall English, this service now became English and Wells Express. This express operated over the same route as was run by Gregory and English. The operation ran between Middle and South Fork of the Yuba River connecting Nevada City to Lake City, North Bloomfield, Moore's Flat, Woolsey's Flat, Orleans Flat and Eureka South. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Eureka Express Co., Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Nevada Cal. Printed frank on 3¢ green (U82) entire cancelled by blue target, matching "North Bloomfield, Cal. Jul 27" cds to Marysville Cal.; reduced slightly at left, fresh and Very Fine use, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. EUR-001; Estimate $500 - 750.

This express operated from a base at North Bloomfield, California between the north and south forks of the Yuba River severing the Eureka Mining areas. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City and North San Juan. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Eureka Express Co. Printed paid frank on 3¢ entire cancelled by quartered cork, two strikes of purple "North Bloomfield, Cal. Apr 29" cds to Paris, France, blue "Etats Unis, Paq. Fr. Brest, 18 Mai 73" double-circle datestamp; flap added, stamp missing, Very Fine appearance and rare use to France.
Thomas No. EUR-002; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Everts & Co's Express, Feather River. Blue three-line handstamp on buff cover with blue "Culloma Cal., Sep 13" cds and matching "5" rating handstamp to Marysville Cal., original letter datelined "Coloma Sep 2/52"; cover repaired at top left, Fine, One of only six recorded examples of this Everts & Co. Feather River handstamp.
Thomas No. EVE-101; Estimate $300 - 400.

Frank Darwin Everts established an express service that operated from the Central House Ranch, about 12 miles northeast of Marysville. From this location he ran to the Gibsonville Ridge region and parts of Sierra County north of the North Folk of the Yuba River and south of the North Folk of the Feather River. After a fire, he moved to the Eli Lester Rabbit Creek House at Rabbit Creek, which was soon renamed Rabbit Town. In late 1851, he formed a partnership with John Adam Snell and the name of the operation was changed to Everts, Snell & Co. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Everts Snell & Cos. Express, Feather River. Blue double-oval handstamp on orange buff cover with manuscript "Coldenhan N.Y., Oct 3rd 1853" postmark and matching "5" rating addressed to "Mr. Jesse H. Stuart of New York, Marysville P.O., Yuba County, California", bold "New York '10' Oct 5" integral due datestamp, endorsed "To be forwarded by Everts & cos Express to Onion Valley" at lower left; some wear, Very Fine, WC5358.
Thomas No. EVS-103; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Covers originating in the East to mining camps in California are quite scarce, this cover with explicit forwarding instructions and a clear Everts, Snell & Co. handstamp is one of the more desirable examples we have seen. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Everts, Davis & Co., Paid., Daily Express. Double-framed frank on 10¢ green (U18) buff Nesbitt entire to Northampton County, Pa., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Express, San Francisco" oval handstamp, entered mails with "New-York, Jan 14" cds; slight edge wear, reduced slightly at left, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. EVD-001; Estimate $300 - 400.

Frank Everts took on a new set of partners and turned F.D. Everts & Co. into Everts, Davis & Co. Rabbit Town was the center of operation still. During this period of operation, they served the Gibsonville Ridge region and the area north of North Fork of the Yuba River and south of the North Fork of the Feather River. They connected with Pacific Express at Marysville and later with Wells Fargo. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Everts, Davis & Co.'s Express, Forbestown, Oct 29. Blue oval datestamp cancels 3¢ red (U9) Nesbitt entire with printed Everts, Wilson & Co's Express (EVW-001) paid frank to Oroville Cal., Very Fine and choice.
Thomas No. EVD-103b; Estimate $600 - 800. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

Everts, Wilson & Co.'s Daily Express. Red fancy frame printed frank with "Overland Via Los Angeles" lined out, on 10¢ green (U15) entire to Mobile Ala., "Due 10" handstamp, red "Portsmouth Va." cds, straightline "Advertised" handstamp; restored, Very Fine appearance.
Thomas No. EVW-006a; Estimate $500 - 750.

In late 1856, Frank Everts, James Wilson, and Frank's brother formed Everts, Wilson & Co. Daily Express. They operated daily from Rabbit Town, whose name was changed to La Porte in Oct. 1857. From this location they served the Gibsonville Ridge region and parts of Sierra County north of North Fork of the Yuba River and south of the North Fork of the Feather River. They maintained offices at Marysville, La Porte, Gibsonville, Saint Louis and Nelson Creek. They had various connections including Pacific Express until 1857, and Wells Fargo after, as well as the U.S. mails.

Lined out on this special frank is "OVERLAND Via Los Angeles, which refers to the Butterfield Overland Mail; thus it was used after the demise of Butterfield in 1861. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Everts, Wilson & Co.'s Express, Marysville. Blue rimless circular handstamp on 3¢ red (U27) buff entire front with printed Everts, Wilson & Co's Express (EVW-001) paid frank to Port Wine, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Thomas No. EVW-100b; Estimate $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Farley's Express. Double-framed handstamp with manuscript "Ina Creek" designation for Indian Creek, on cover to Burnham Me., entered mails with "Camptonville Cal., Nov 17" cds with "Paid" and circled "10" rating handstamps; repaired faults, ex-Clifford.
Thomas No. FAR-100; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FARLEY'S EXPRESS HANDSTAMP WITH MANUSCRIPT INDIAN CREEK DESIGNATION.

George S. Farley operated from a base at Camptonville Cal. He ran express service from Camptonville to the mining camps at Indian Creek and Young's Hill in the Yuba County area. He used the Camptonville post office for connections. It is reported he had a number of drop boxes attached to trees at different locations along streams that he would check as he made his rounds on his express runs. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Forwarded By, Ford & Co's Express. Perfect bold stroke of blue segmented oval handstamp on buff cover to Keytesville Mo., entered mails with bold "Sacramento City, Cal. 13 Dec" cds and matching "10" rating handstamp, docketed "Feby 13th 1852 came to hand" at left; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Thomas No. FOR-101; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY SIX KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THIS FORD & CO'S EXPRESS MARKING.

This express operated between Sacramento and Greenwood in El Dorado County. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000