Holland & Wheeler's Daily Express. Black printed paid frank with fancy frame on 3¢ pink (U34) entire cancelled by blue "Holland & Wheeler's Express, La Porte, Aug 26" double-circle datestamp (HOW-101) to Howlands Flat, Sierra County, Cal.; restored at left with part of another envelope, Fine appearance, Thomas WC6008, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. HOW-003; Estimate $250 - 350.

George W. Morley sold his interest of Holland, Morley & Co. to Sam Wheeler in late 1862. Holland & Wheeler operated over the same routes. From La Porte they ran to Marysville where they connected with Wells Fargo. From La Porte they serviced the Gibsonville Ridge and Feather River mining camps. Sam Wheeler left the company in late 1863 and it is believed that Homer B. Holland continued operating for a short time. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

Holland, Morley &Co. Express, Marysville, Cal. Blue oval handstamp cancels 3¢ pink (U34) buff entire to Bidwells Bar, printed "Whiting & Co's Feather River Express, Paid" frank; restored at top right, Very Fine appearance, A rare conjunctive use, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. HOW-100; Estimate $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Hopkinson's Express. Printed frank with fancy frame, on 3¢ pink (U58) entire with indicia cancelled by manuscript "Dutch Flat, Jany 22 1866, By Hopkinsons Express" to Nevada City Cal., receipt docketing at left; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine.
Thomas No. HOP-004; Estimate $200 - 300.

E.B. Hopkinson operated between Nevada City and Dutch Flat via the Red Dog and Little York mining camps 1862-1864. In late 1864, he sold his route to J.A. Stone. After a short try, Stone returned the route back to Hopkinson who operated from it from 1865 to 1867. Hopkinson connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City and Dutch Flat. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Hopkinson's Express, Red Dog, Nevada Co., California. Printed frank with printed Red Dog triple-circle cachet at left on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by "New-York, Feb 26" duplex to South Hope Me.; some wear, F.-V.F., WC4278.
Thomas No. HOP-009; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE HOPKINSON'S EXPRESS RED DOG FRANK. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Hopkinson's Express. Red fancy framed frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire addressed to Nevada City Cal., docketed "Darius Holmes, Aug 9/65" at left, Very Fine, WC4286.
Thomas No. HOP-103; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RED HOPKINSON'S EXPRESS FRANK. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

La Porte Express Co. Fancy paid frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by perfect strike of blue "La Porte Express Co., La Porte, May 10" oval datestamp LAP-100c to San Francisco Cal., conjunctive strike of "Wells Fargo Co., Maysville, May 11" double-oval; partial flap and small edge tear, Very Fine, WC2390, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. LAP-001; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A CHOICE LA PORTE EXPRESS CO. CONJUNCTIVE USE WITH WELLS FARGO & CO. EXPRESS.

This express operated between La Porte Cal. and the mining camps in the Gibsonville Ridge area. For mail going south, a connection with Wells Fargo was made at Marysville. A connection with Whiting & Co. was established for mail going into Northern California. This operation sold out to Wells Fargo in 1866. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Lamping & Co's Express. Fancy printed frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by "Lamping & Co. Express, Downieville" oval handstamp and blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Marysville, May 3" double-oval, addressed to San Francisco Cal.; part of back missing, Very Fine and scarce conjunctive use, Thomas WC2744, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. LAM-002; Estimate $400 - 600.

P.A. Lamping ran an express between Marysville and Downieville. From Downieville he supported the local mines. At first he connected with Wells Fargo at Marysville. In 1865, he switched to Langton for his connecting support. After the death of Samuel Langton, he purchased Langton Express from the family. Wells Fargo refused to honor the Lamping franks. With no connecting express for material outside his area of operation, he was forced to sell all of the combined express activity to Wells Fargo. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Langton's Pioneer Express. Printed frank on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Nevada." oval to Negro Hill, pencil "Nov. 26. 1856" at left; edge faults, Fine.
Thomas No. LAN-008; Estimate $200 - 300.

Negro Hill was located near Mormon Island. A man named Kelsey, an African-American from Massachusetts and a Methodist minister along with other Black miners rediscovered the diggins in 1849. Together, these men established a community of African-American, Caucasian, Chinese, and Portuguese miners that were to grow as large as 400 persons by 1855. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Langton's Pioneer Express. Fancy printed paid frank on 3¢ red (U10) buff entire to Timbuctoo, manuscript "Oct 5th 1858." dating, partial backflap, Very Fine.
Thomas No. LAN-008; Estimate $200 - 300.

Sam Langton was surely the most outstanding of the independent expressmen, operating a variety of routes beginning in 1850 for almost fifteen years. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Langton's Pioneer Express. Fancy printed paid frank on 3¢ red (U9) entire cancelled by "North San Juan" oval with "May 25" dating to San Francisco Cal., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Marysville, May 26" double-oval datestamp; no back flap, Very Fine, ex-J.R. Hill Jr.
Thomas No. LAN-008; Estimate $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Langton's Pioneer Express. Fancy printed paid frank on 3¢ red (U10) buff entire cancelled by red "Langton's Pioneer Express, Downieville" oval handstamp to San Francisco Cal., conjunctive blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Marysville, Nov 01 " double-oval datestamp, Very Fine.
Thomas No. LAN-008; Estimate $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Langton's Pioneer Express from Marysville. Two black on off-white illustrated labels showing stagecoach and steamboat, along with two "Wells, Fargo & Co's Express from San Francisco" black on orange labels and Wells Fargo & Co. "C.O.D." black on yellow label, all used on large piece of package front addressed to Downieville Cal., endorsed "COD" at top right; some creasing, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Sam Langton was surely the most outstanding of the independent expressmen, operating various routes for almost 15 years. His relationship with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Marysville is illustrated here. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid. Printed frank on 3¢ pink (U34) entire to Downieville Cal. cancelled by blue "Langton's Pioneer Express, Virginia City" oval, additional blue "Langton's Pioneer Express, Marysville" oval; restored at right, Fine appearance, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. LAN-002a; Estimate $500 - 750.

Samuel W. Langton was a major force in the Northern California express business. The express business he formed stretched across northern California and into Nevada, extending from the Comstock area up to the Humboldt Mines. He died as a result of a buggy accident in Silver City, Nevada in August 1864. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Morley, Caulkins & Co's, Paid, Daily Express. Printed rectangular frank on 10¢ green (U18) buff Nesbitt entire to Point Pleasant Oh., entered mails with bold "Strawberry Valley, Cala., 'July 2' " cds with manuscript dating and matching ms. canceling indicia; repaired, Very Fine appearance.
Thomas No. MOR-001; Estimate $300 - 400.

George W. Morley and Silas Caulkins combined to service the mining camps of the Gibsonville Ridge area from La Porte, California. From La Porte they would have ran to Marysville for an exchange of express material with another express company. This partnership dissolved when Morley formed an express operation with Homer B. Holland. The newly formed operation became Holland, Morley & Company. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Mumbly & Co.'s Express. Two strikes of blue oval on orange buff cover to San Francisco Cal., endorsed "Palmer & Cos Express" at top, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. MUM-100; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE MUMBLY & CO.'S EXPRESS HANDSTAMP.

Joseph H. Mumbly and Henry Reed combined to carry express material between San Francisco, Sacramento and Marysville. Joseph Mumbly had started in the express business as a messenger for Palmer & Co. It appears that he relied on Palmer's as a connection for eastern cities. Palmer got out of the California express business in early 1851 and it appears that Mumbly carried on for a short while and then sold out to Freeman in the summer of 1851. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Nevada City and Meadow Lake Express. Printed paid frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire to Gold Run, Placer County Cal.; cover cleaned and edges strengthened, Very Fine appearance, WC2276, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. NCM-001; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED NEVADA CITY AND MEADOW LAKE EXPRESS FRANKS.

Between 1866 and the summer of 1867, the town of Meadow Lake Cal. was established below Donner Summit at an elevation of over 7,000 feet. From this location ran an express to Nevada City where it connected with Wells Fargo. The small amount of gold found at this location and the heavy snow fall in the winter ended the mining activity and the need for an express after the first year. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Organ & Tibbetts, Excelsior Express, Paid. Printed frank with fancy ornate frame on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Dutch Flat, Oct 18" oval handstamp to Gold Run, Placer County, Cal.; some minor cover restoration, Very Fine appearance, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. ORG-001; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

William Tibbett and an express man named Organ ran an express service from Nevada City to Dutch Flat, California and on to the Excelsior mining district around Meadow Lake. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Oroville & Quincy Express Co. and Wells. Printed illustrated frank showing six-horse stage, on 3¢ green (U164) amber entire cancelled by conjunctive "Wells Fargo & Co., Oroville, Jun 3" oval datestamp in blue to San Francisco Cal., Very Fine and rare, WC2290, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. ORO-002; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

This express operated between Oroville and Quincy, Cal. From Quincy they serviced the upper area of Plumas County. They connected with Wells Fargo at several locations within Plumas. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Pauly & Nohrman's Express. Printed fancy paid frank on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire cancelled by partial blue "Wheeler's Express, La Porte" double-circle to Port Wine, Sierra Co., Cal., manuscript "Ansd Nov 14/64" docketing; edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, WC2330, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. PUN-002; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS PAULY & NOHRMAN'S EXPRESS FRANK.

Nicholas O. Pauly and G.H. Nohrman combined forces to form an express operation for the Gibsonville area. This express serviced the mining camps along the Gibsonville Ridge. This operation connected with Pacific Express. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

N.O. Pauly's Express. Printed frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by partly readable strike of blue "Wheeler's Express La Porte" double-circle handstamp to Quincy Cal., straightline "Eureka & Jamison" beneath frank (PUL-101) and "Gibsonville Apr. 16" straightline (PUL-100) across embossed stamp; repaired at left with part of frank's border added, Very Fine appearance.
Thomas No. PUL-003; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Reference: Illustrated in Nathan.

Nicholas Oscar Pauly operated an express in the GIbsonville area for a short period before forming a partnership with G.H. Norman (Nohrman) that resulted in Pauly & Nohrman Express. Pauly bought out Nohrman in 1866 and again operated for a period of time as a single express operator. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

F. Rumrill & Cos. Express, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. Blue double-oval handstamp and manuscript "Coll 1.00" rating on small gray lady's cover with red "Georgetown N.Y. Feb 7" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "6" cent rating to Marysville Cal., small "Farewell!" label affixed, Very Fine and scarce use.
Thomas No. RUM-104; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Frank Rumrill operated an express between Marysville and Downieville from 1851 until he sold to Sam Langton in April 1855. He connected at Marysville at first with Gregory's Express and then with Wells Fargo & Co. Nathan reported that his frank was in use from January through April 1854. This letter illustrates his $1.00 fee. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Spargur's Honey Lake Express. Paid. Printed frank with ornate frame on buff cover with "Quincy Cal., Jul 6" cds and manuscript "Paid 10" rating to Boston Mass., endorsed "Via Panama", Very Fine, signed Bartels.
Thomas No. SPA-001; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS SPARGUR'S HONEY LAKE EXPRESS FRANK.

H.L. Spargur operated an express service from Oroville to Quincy, California that may have extended to the Honey Lake area. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Stolp's Express, Nevada. Oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "Washington, June 11, 1854" to Oriskany N.Y., entered mails with "Nevada City '5' 26 Jun" integral-rate cds with proper "10" rating handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Clifford.
Thomas No. STO-100; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE STOLP'S EXPRESS NEVADA CITY OVAL HANDSTAMP.

Cornelius Stople ran en express service to the mining camps north of the Bear River. This run would include the camps of Red Dog, You Bet and Little York. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Tibbett's & Co's, Excelsior Express, Paid. Printed frank with fancy ornate frame on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Dutch Flat, Apr 18" oval handstamp to San Francisco Cal.; slightly rough opening at right, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. TIB-001; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE TIBBETT'S & CO'S EXCELSIOR EXPRESS FRANK, ONE IS CONTAINED IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.

William Tibbett started running an express operation between Nevada City and Dutch Flat Cal. From Dutch Flat he extended his route on to the Excelsior mining district around Meadow Lake. In 1866 this operation became Organ & Tibbett Express. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Wells & Co's, Moore's Flat and Eureka Express. Printed frank with fancy frame, on 3¢ pink (U59) buff cover cancelled by "Nevada City, Cal. Jun 13" duplex to New York City, Very Fine, WC4062, One of only five recorded examples of this Well's & Co's "Moore's Flat and Eureka Express" frank..
Thomas No. WEC-005; Estimate $400 - 600.

L.H. Wells sold one-half interest in his express to Absalom W. Herring and this operation became Wells & Company. This operation ran over the same route from Nevada City to Lake City, North Broomfield, Moore's Flat, Woolsey's Flat, Orleans Flat and Eureka South. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600