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Quick Navigation by Category  Canada (11)   |  Great Britain and British Commonwealth (1)   |  United States (400)   |  Worldwide Stamps and Covers (5)   | 
 

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The George J. Kramer Collection of Western Trails and Routes continued...

Hawaii continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3401       image1851 (Apr. 19) Honolulu, Hawaii to New York N.Y. Blue folded letter datelined "Sandwich Islands, Honolulu Apl 19th/51" to G.W. Pomeroy with clear strike of "Honolulu, Hawaiian Is. / April 19, 1851." two-line postmark and magenta "Paid 40" prepaid rating, carried by American Schooner General Fanning from Honolulu Apr. 19th to San Francisco arriving May 22nd, red "San Francisco, Cal. May 31" cds and matching "Paid" and "40" rating handstamps, then by PMSS Tennessee from San Francisco May 31st to Panama arriving Jun. 19th, overland to Chagres and then by US Mail S.S. Empire City Jun. 26th to New York arriving Jul. 6th; some edge wear, Very Fine, Gregory Census No. 24.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE BLACK HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE ON A PREPAID LETTER.

San Francisco put "40" or "80" rate markings on letters where United States postage was prepaid in Hawaii, omitting the ship fee. San Francisco continued this practice until May 1st 1852. (Image1)		 Est. $7,500-10,000
SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3402       image1851 (May 8) Honolulu, Hawaii to Portsmouth N.H. Gray folded letter datelined "Oahu - May 1st 1851" addressed to Mrs. Harriet Pierrepont, bold strike of "Honolulu, Hawaiian Is. / May 8, 1851." two-line postmark, carried by American Schooner Velasco from Honolulu May 8th to San Francisco arriving Jun. 3rd, "San Francisco, Cal. 14 Jun" cds and red crayon "42" rating for 40¢ west coast rate plus 2¢ ship fee, then by PMSS California from San Francisco Jun. 14th to Panama arriving Jul. 1st, overland to Chagres and then by US Mail S.S. Crescent City Jul. 10th to New York arriving Jul. 20th, Very Fine, Gregory Census No. 28, ex-Rust.
Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.

Illustrated and Described in Gregory's Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870, p. 227, fig. 14-6. (Image1)		 Est. $10,000-15,000
SOLD for $9,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3403       image1856 (Mar. 7) Honolulu, Hawaii to San Francisco, Cal. Vivid red "Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, Mar 7" cds (HON HI28 II) and bearing uncancelled Hawaii 1851, 5¢ blue (2), Type I, large to huge margins on three sides, a bit irregular at upper left and frameline just touched at right, short separation tear at upper left corner, free of any repair and very slightly creased by a vertical fold on California Penny Post Company, 5¢ black on buff entire (34LUI3A) with printed address "To Agent of the Penny-Post Co., San Francisco, Cal., Box 5150., Please Deliver To, Messrs. Noble & Haskel, Davis St., near California.", additionally franked with United States 1851 3¢ dull red (11), bright early 1856 shade, mostly large margins, tied by "San Francisco Cal. 21 Mar." cds, matching "Ship 6" clamshell-style circular due handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Richard Saffin, Advertiser, with 1995 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $200,000 - 300,000.

AN EXTRAORDINARY TRIPLE MIXED-FRANKING COVER SHOWING THREE DIFFERENT FORMS OF POSTAGE COMPRISING THE 5¢ HAWAIIAN MISSIONARY, UNITED STATES 3¢ 1851 ISSUE, AND PREPAID CALIFORNIA PENNY POST COMPANY ENTIRE.

Reference: Illustrated in Letters of Gold, Jesse L. Coburn, pg. 63
Illustrated and described in Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870, pg. II 99-101, fig. 16-84.

This cover was carried by American Bark "Yankee" from Honolulu Mar. 5th 1856 to San Francisco arriving Mar. 20th. The 5¢ Missionary stamp correctly prepays the 5¢ Hawaiian postage for a single rate letter. The U.S. 3¢ stamp short paid the 6¢ ship letter rate delivered within port of entry, and no credit was given as the 6¢ due rating handstamp was struck. The California Penny Post Company 5¢ entire represents the correct fee for delivery from the post office to the addressees, Noble & Haskel. The Honolulu post office considered the U.S. portion of postage unpaid, as it was marked with the "Hawaiian-Islands" datestamp, not "U.S. Postage Paid."

The California Penny Post Company was started by J. B. Goodwin as a city delivery post in June 1855 and, by the beginning of 1856, faced increasing pressure from a hostile San Francisco postmaster. Service ceased after approximately one year in business. This envelope was a return envelope purchased from the Penny Post by the San Francisco firm of Noble & Haskel. They would have enclosed this in a business mailing, along with their letter, and sent it to a correspondent. Instead of mailing the reply from somewhere in the West where the pre-affixed 3¢ postage would have been sufficient, the sender mailed it from Hawaii. The box number facilitated the holding of mail at the post office until the Penny Post Co. picked up letters for delivery to the addressees. There is a pencil note on back, "Found in California Penny Post files", indicating that this may have been retained by Goodwin as evidence in his fight against the post office.

The use of a Hawaiian Missionary stamp on this March 1856 cover occurs late in the Missionary issue's life, but appropriately at a time when 5¢ stamps were in great demand and short supply in the Islands. The April, 1855 rate change in the United States effectively increased the composite rate from 13¢ to 17¢ and created an increased demand for Hawaiian 5¢ stamps that could be used in combination with U. S. 12¢ stamps. By the beginning of 1857, the shortage of 5¢ stamps had reached the critical point, and supplies of 13¢ Kamehameha III stamps were provisionally surcharged "5" cents. In the context of the new demands and shortages created by the April 1855 rate change, the use of a 5¢ Missionary stamp in March 1856 is understandable.

Of the 32 Missionary covers in Gregory's census, only six are mixed frankings with United States stamps, including one defective example and another with a repaired stamp. In the context of worldwide mixed-franking covers, the coincidence of two nations' postage stamps and local-post franking is, to our knowledge, unique in this classic period. (Image1)		 Est. $200,000-300,000
SOLD for $180,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
Mexico Expresses
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3404     PET-401 imageForwarded by Peterson's Lower California Express from "La Paz". Black on gray label with blue manuscript town designation, tied by sharp "San Francisco, Cal, Mar 9, 1862" double-circle datestamp, additional strike at bottom left and matching "SHIP.12" due rating handstamp on buff cover to Peacham Vt.; minor ton spot upper right, reduced slightly at right, Extremely Fine and choice.
Thomas No. PET-401; Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.

A STUNNING COVER. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PETERSON'S LOWER CALIFORNIA EXPRESS LABEL USED ON COVER.

The three recorded examples are:
1. PET-401 Label with pencil "San Francisco" origin, tied by red "Espreso de la Baja Cala." oval to La Paz, Mexico, blue Wells Fargo San Francisco double-circle, ex-Knapp, Grant, Hass, Forster and "Baja".
2. PET-401 Label with blue ms. "La Paz" origin, tied by San Francisco Cal. cds to Peacham Vt., the example offered here.
3. PET-401 Label with ms. "San Lucas" origin, red "Estafeta De Baja California" oval cancel to San Francisco Cal., manuscript "Capo St Lucas Apl 11, 1863" docket at left, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Walske.

Reference: Pictured in Nathan on p. 168.

Using coastal steamers, Charles M. Peterson ran a daily service between San Francisco and La Paz, Mexico. He established an office in Henry Payot's Book Store in San Francisco. He may have established a pony/mule service between Cape San Lucas and La Paz. (Image1)		 Est. $20,000-30,000
SOLD for $21,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3405     WFM-009 imageWells Fargo & Co, "Paid over our Mexican Coast and California Express -- 35 Cts.". Printed frank in rare deep olive black shade on 10¢ brown (U89) entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, Feb 25" oval datestamp to the David Turner, American Consul at La Paz, Lower California, Mexico, Extremely Fine and scarce use to Mexico.
Thomas No. WFM-009; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction
3406     WFM-009a imageWells Fargo & Co, "Paid over our Mexican Coast and California Express -- 35 Cts.". Printed frank on 10¢ brown (U91) entire cancelled by partial strike of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, Sep 6" oval datestamp to Mexico, Very Fine and scarce use to Mexico.
Thomas No. WFM-009a; Estimate $600 - 800. (Image1)		 Est. $600-800
SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Routes including Via Nicaragua, Via Panama and Via Tehuantepec
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3407       image(Via Nicaragua) From J.W. Sullivan, News Depot, San Francisco Cal., Feb 5. Sharp strike of fancy shield datestamp along with sharp "Via. Nicaragua, In Advance of the Mails, Sullivan" double-oval datestamp on front page of December 23rd 1854 The Illustrated London News showing weather in the Baltic on the bows of H.M. Corvette 'Cruiser', inside with red Illustrated News 1d Newspaper tax impression, probably sent by Cunard Line Asia from Liverpool Dec. 23rd 1854 to Boston arriving Jan. 4th, then S.S. Star of the West from New York Jan 12th to Nicaragua, then Independent Line Uncle Sam to San Francisco arriving Feb. 4th, minor edge wear and small tear, folds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. (Image1)		 Est. $750-1,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
3408 *      image(Via Panama) 1850 (Aug. 13) New York N.Y. to San Francisco, Cal. Blue folded letter bearing 10¢ black (2) horizontal strip of four, pos. 77-80R, large to huge margins including part sheet margin at right, except slightly in at bottom left, tied by red grid cancels, matching red "New-York, Aug 15" cds, carried endorsed by U.S. Mail S.S. Georgia from New York to Chagres arriving Aug. 22nd, then overland across Panama, then per P.M.S.S. Panama Sep. 1st to San Francisco, docketed "Rec Sept 23" on reverse; file fold lightly affects right stamp, third stamp tiny tear, Very Fine, ex-Seybold, Kapiloff, with 2012 & 2016 P.F. certificates.
Estimate; $50,000 - 75,000.

A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COVER, PROBABLY NOT MORE THAN SIX 40¢ RATE COVERS KNOWN IN ANY CONDITION.

Effective July 1, 1847, Congress provided for a 40¢ rate from the "East, to or from Astoria, Oregon or California". As there was no Overland Mail Contract, all government mail went by ships "via Panama". (Image1)		 Est. $50,000-75,000
SOLD for $45,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3409       image(Via Panama) 1851 (Dec. 16) Chatham, New Brunswick to San Francisco, Cal. Cover bearing 3d bright red (1) and 6d mustard yellow (2d), each cancelled by oval grid, indistinct blue New Brunswick (12.16) origin cds, reverse with Catham N.B. (12.16.1851) and St. Johns (12.22) transits, red "Paid" straightline and manuscript "15" rating, "San Francisco, 13 Feb" arrival cds, red "Advertised" and "Not Called For" straightline handstamps, black "1" cent due handstamp for advertising fee; cover faulty, 6d slightly discolored and small closed tear, Fine, ex-Morton, Argenti, Cartier, "Foxbridge", Koh, Hackmey, with 1999 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO NEW BRUNSWICK PENCE ISSUE USAGES TO THE UNITED STATES WEST COAST.

The two recorded New Brunswick Pence Issue usages to the West Coast are:
1. 1851 Dec. 16, Chatham N.B. to San Francisco Cal. with 3d #1, 6d mustard yellow #2d for 9d (15c) rate, advertised in San Francisco
2. 1856 Feb. 22, Shediac N.B. to Orphir Cal. with 3d #1, 6d olive yellow #2 for 9d (15¢) rate, forwarded to Sacramento. (Image1)		 Est. $7,500-10,000
SOLD for $5,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
3410       image(Via Panama) 1854 (Sep. 1) San Francisco Cal. to Rochester N.Y. Blue folded letter endorsed "per steamer Uncle Sam, Sep 1st 1854" at top left, clear strike of black "Independent Line, Via Panama, Ahead of the Mails, Uncle Sam and North Star" oval handstamp, bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) horizontal pair, large margins except touched at bottom, tied by "New-York, Sep 27" cds, Very Fine, ex-Haas.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A REMARKABLE STRIKE OF THIS RARE VANDERBILT AHEAD OF THE LINES PROPAGANDA HANDSTAMP. THIS WAS CARRIED ON THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE "UNCLE SAM" ON THE PANAMA ROUTE.

Cornelius Vanderbilt opened a route across Nicaragua in 1851 to compete with the U.S. Mail Steamship Company and Pacific Mail Steamship Company which held the U.S. Mail Contract via Panama.His handstamps typically boasted "Ahead of the Mails." He subsequently became a competitor to the PMSS on the Panama route. (Image1)		 Est. $2,000-3,000
SOLD for $5,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
3411 *      image(Via Panama) Forwarded by Dodge & Co. California Express. Blue on white shield label affixed on circa 1851 buff cover with red "Conner & Son's Foundry, New York" shield cameo on flap to Panama, New Granada, endorsed "Per Dodge & Cos Express"at top; flap with some paper loss repaired, still Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Beginning in September 1850, Dodge & Co. vigorously established an express business between the northeast and San Francisco. They only appeared on "Forwarding lists" in 1851. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction
3412       image(Via Tehuantepec) 1856 (Mar. 13) Minatitlan, Mexico to Middletown Point N.J. via Boston. Endorsed "Minatitlan Isthmus Tehuantepec" and with "Letter bag of the Brig Icarian" directive, entered the mails with red "Boston, Apr 11" cds and black "SHIP" and "5" due handstamps, with letter datelined "Minatitlan March 13, 1856" from Charles Webster, the U.S. Consul and agent for the Louisiana Tehuantepec Co. at Tehuantepec, he writes his sister Anna that the Mexican Government has made a contract with a man named Smith to construct a plank road across the Isthmus, and that work will probably commence in two or three months, and further, that the small steamers for the navigation of the river Coatzacoalcos are nearly complete, Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction
3413       image(Via Tehuantepec) 1859 (Jan. 3) Oroville Cal. to Camden, Canada. Light buff cover bearing 5¢ red brown, type I (28) and 10¢ green, type III (33), small faults, tied by "Oroville Cal. Jan 3 1859" cds for the 15¢ west coast rate to Canada, endorsed "Via Tehauntepec" as required for carriage, faint strike of red "U. States" exchange straightline; reduced slightly at right, some wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED "VIA TEHUANTEPEC" CROSS-BORDER COVER TO CANADA.

In October 1858, a route was contracted as 8162 from San Francisco to New Orleans using a mixed steamboat and overland route via the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico. Contracted at $250,000 for 12 months with twice a month service. The course of the route was by steamboat to either Acapulco or Salina Cruz, then overland by mule to Suchile, then by river boat to Minatitlan on the Caotzacoalcos River and then by steamboat to New Orleans, La. The route was little used as the section over the mountain range by mule created a long transit time. The total revenue collected for the route was just $5,276.66 and the route was not renewed in 1859. From October 1858 to March 1859, the "Quaker City" was used on the New Orleans to Minatitlan portion of the route. A total of 28 covers endorsed as going "Via Tehuantepec" are recorded in the census. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $2,400.00
Will close during Public Auction
3414       image(Via Tehuantepec) 1860 (Sep. 29) Tehauantepec, Mexico to Middletown Point N.J. via New Orleans. Cover endorsed "Tehauntepec Mexico Sept 29. 1859" to Middletown Point N.J., entered mails with double strike of "New Orleans La., Oct 10 1860" cds and matching partial "Steamship, 10" circular due handstamp, original Sep. 29th letter from Charles Webster, the U.S. Consul and agent for the Louisiana Tehuantepec Co. at Tehuantepec, reads in part "The mail will leave in a few moments for Minatitlan and New Orleans, and as the contract with the Tehuantepec Company expires on the first of October, I greatly fear it will be the last direct opportunity I will have for some time…[I am] rather poor in pocket…from the failure of the Louisiana Tehuantepec Company to pay its debts - They owe me some $4000…" He hopes he will get paid "as the company besides owning the valuable privilege of the exclusive transit on this Isthmus for seventy years, has some half millions of acres of land - all of which is liable for its debts contracted in Mexico…", Very Fine use carried on the last mail via Tehuantepec to New Orleans, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction
Balances
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3415 *      imageWells Fargo & Co. Balance. Group of 6 covers and a reduced front comprising Well's Treasure City oval, 1861 Wells San Francisco with oval "Paid" frank, Wells Messenger 37 violet oval, Wells 85 Messenger purple oval, Wells Wadsworth blue oval, 1880 use with printed frank entering mails with Battle Creek Nev. duplex, and Wells Silver City, Utah blue oval on reduced front, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)		 Est. $400-600
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
3416 *      imageWestern Express Balance. Group of 8 covers and fronts comprising Holland, Morley & Co's Express frank on front with Marysville Cal. oval datestamp; Northern Pacific Express Co. "Steamer" use from Portland Ore., Pacific Union Express red paid frank and San Francisco datestamp; Union Pacific Express Omaha Neb. oval used on stampless cover to care of Wells Fargo & Co at San Francisco, "Singer, Meek & Co's Feather River Express" frank on 10¢ entire front, Freeman & Co. Express printed frank to St. Helena Cal., G.H. Wines & Co's Atlantic, California & Oregon Express collection envelope (folded), Shirley Mass. use to Stockton Cal. endorsed "Per Express to Jackass Gulch"; and also includes a "Forbes Express" eastern use, Fine group.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction
3417 *      imageWells Fargo - Large Size Entires. Group of 4 large-size entires comprising #U71 cancelled by purple "Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia City Nev., Aug 21" oval from Gold Hill Agency to San Francisco; U182 cancelled by pink Wells Fargo Los Angeles oval, U181 paste-up cancelled by 1882 Wells San Jose Cal. oval to San Francisco, and #U200 cancelled by 1887 Wells "Virginia, Nev" oval to San Francisco; some faults, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)		 Est. $200-300
SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

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