Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Western Mails cont: California Private Posts continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

1862

California City Letter Express Co., San Francisco, 10c Red, Type I (33L1). Large margins to slightly in, projections cut into at sides, rich color, small ms. "X" cancel (not tied as usual), used on cover to J. H. Stearns, bit of inconsequential gum residue at top of stamp

A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE CALIFORNIA CITY LETTER EXPRESS STAMP ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER. ONLY THREE COVERS ARE RECORDED.

Our records contain five examples of the Red 33L1 stamp. Two additional Type I stamps in black-and-white photos cannot be identified by color. One 33L1 (cut to shape) is contained in the British Library's Tapling collection. Of the four confirmed 33L1's available to collectors, two are used alone on separate covers addressed to Lieut. Col. J. H. Stearns in San Francisco (one offered here, the other ex Wiltsee). The third is an uncancelled stamp off cover (ex Lilly, small faults). The fourth example is used with Scott No. 68 and is the only 33L1 cover with a U.S. stamp of any kind (ex Golden).

Ex Middendorf and Geisler. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $7,500.00 (Image)

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E. $ 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1863

California City Letter Express Co., San Francisco, 10c Green, Type I (33L3). Tips of side projections cut into, margins clear at top and large at bottom, usual ms. cancel, additionally cancelled by San Francisco circular grid and trace of datestamp, the word "Obsolete" is written in ink on back, two tiny tears, slight creases and toning

FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED CALIFORNIA LETTER EXPRESS STAMP WITH A HANDSTAMPED CANCELLATION. THE DISTINCTIVE SAN FRANCISCO GRID AND DUPLEX DATESTAMP WERE USED IN THE MID-1860'S AND ON THIS STAMP THEY PROVIDE DEFINITIVE PROOF OF THE LEGITIMACY OF THE HOAG'S & MADISON'S POST.

This stamp is one of three confirmed examples of 33L3, including one in the British Library's Tapling collection. The other confirmed 33L3 available to collectors is the cover offered our Golden sale (Sale 817, lot 861). Of all used examples of the Hoag & Madison stamps, including covers and stamps cancelled by pen, only this stamp is cancelled by the San Francisco post office's distinctive grid. As such, it provides irrefutable evidence establishing the post's period of operation (mid-1860's) and the use of California City Letter Express stamps on mail sent through the mails.

Ex Ferrary, Mason and Golden. With 1956 and 1999 P.F. certificates and 1972 Friedl certificate co-signed by Bloch and Boker. (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

1864

California City Letter Express Co., San Francisco, 10c Blue (33L5). Cut to shape, repaired corner at top left with arc drawn in, small ms. "X" cancel, affixed to small piece (cut from non-contemporary cover on which it did not originate), Fine appearance, a rare example of the 10c Blue, only two examples are known to us, the other was offered in our sale of the Golden collection (Sale 817) with a lightened manuscript cancel (realized $12,500 hammer), this example is ex Richardson (Siegel Sale 627), with 2008 P.F. certificate still on the non-contemporary cover, Scott Retail $14,000.00 (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

1865

Gahagan & Howe City Express, San Francisco Cal., (5c) Blue, Tête-Bêche Pair (70L2a). Complete sheet of 20 containing four tête-bêche pairs, original gum, vertical creases, brown stains but mostly clear of two tête-bêche pairs at center, very rare, only two sheets are known, ex Hall (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction

1866

Bicycle Mail Route, Cal., 25c Brown Entire (12LU1). On 2c Green entire (U311) to Fresno Cal., Overman Wheel Co. handstamp, "Fresno Cal. Jul. 15 4:30PM 1894" datestamp and duplex oval grid cancel, backstamped with purple Jul. 15, 1894 "Victor Bicycle Messenger Service" Fresno office datestamp with bicycle illustration, vertical fold, otherwise Extremely Fine, immaculate condition, ex Geisler, Scott Retail $1,750.00 (Image)

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E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

1867

Bicycle Mail Route, Cal., 25c Brown Entire (12LU2). On 2c Green on Amber entire (U312), cancelled by parallel bars, 2c embossed stamp cancelled by grid, "Fresno Cal. Jul. 20 8:30 AM 1894" circular datestamp to local address, purple "Victor Bicycle Messenger Service" illustrated backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, scarce, Scott Retail $1,750.00 (Image)

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E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction