Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions Sale

United States Postal History continued...

Historic Western Letters continued...

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

2011

San Francisco Nov 14th 1851. Dateline on three page folded letter from A.C. Davis to Mr. McCabe regarding the horrific demise of his son at the Pacific Market on the Central Wharf in part…For the first time I addressed you I am going to communicate to you a melancholy affair but before I proceed you must bear with resignation the calamity which has befallen you and friends at this side of the Pacific. Your son Edward is no more. He has left this Land of suffering for a better world deprived of Life by the hands of a low mean scoundrel. He was from New York they called him Scotch Jack stood at Washington Market and used to wholesale beef on the sidewalk (his proper name is John Wilson). He went to New York some time ago and returned here again and keeps a stall in the Pacific Market on Central Wharf in this place. The circumstance of the case is as follows, on Sunday the second Inst. he was skylarking with Wilson and on going away from his stall Wilson struck him in the back of the head with a large chopper which clove his head entering the brain about an inch causing the brain to ooze through the wound. Wilson ran off and gave himself up to the authorities and after a hearing of the case he was bound over to the Grand Jury in the sum of $3000.00 but Edward was still liveing though apparently senseless from the time he received the blow till he expired on Friday the 7th at about 5 oclock in the afternoon seemely without much pain but said nothing, previous to his death he said write home and tell them I am dead. He was intered on Sunday last (being a member of Protection No. 2 Engine Fire Co.). He was followed to the grave with a decidedly large procession of his brother firemen the several fire companies and a large concourse of citizens in general with the proper solemnities which the occasion demanded. I have known your son since I came to this country and have slept in one room with him and deeming it a duty I write this letter. He stoped in Pacific Market with a man from Philedelpha of the name of Elijah Wheaton who attended to all his wants as a father and paid counsel for the prosecution of his case. There is a small amt. due to him by another Butcher which I cannot name as he has not been here since the occurrence took place but with that amt. we intend to erect a stone to his memory the last tribute we can pay to our worthy young friend. Wilson has not been in the market since Edwards death and I do believe from the talk afloat it would be advisable for him to make himself scarce as I can assure you Edward is not without friends here. If you wish for any further information respecting this deplorable transaction you may direct a letter to me and I shall attend to it. The time the bloody affair took place Wheaton was not in market or probably 2 lives were gone as He would never have allowed Wilson to give himself up. The deed was committed at the closeing of market when but few persons were present.; cover addressed to New York under another cover (no postmarks) but endorsed "The Post - In is to be requested to cause this to be delivered as it is important", outer cover heavily toned and wear, Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Transcribed as written.

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction

2012

Shasta City April 6th 1852. Dateline on two page folded letter from C.H. Williams, a traveling miner with interesting content regarding his travels in the west including Indian troubles in part…I staid in the mountains all the time until this spring I came to the head of the valey of the sacremento River about two hundred and eighty miles from the City and about twenty from Shasta and am in with two others in a ranch where I think I shal stop for awhile after this sumer for I got a clame to work in this sumer in the mines…I believe the indians are bad in the northan part of the country where I ben. I traveld all of the mines north of Shasta two oregon in the sumer of fity I on trinity River and on the Clamoth and Samon and on Scots. I traveld most all sumer and had a big price to pay for grub that took most all that I made I made big pay when I worked and last sumer I traveld all over the same again and this I not agoing to travel much for I fond out that there was not much to be made traveling for rich digins for gold digins are mighty unsirting some tines you get it and some times you dont but oftener you dont I made a good lot of mony but I aint got but a few hundred now but I hen through a great deel of hard ship in this country and stand it first rate. slep out in the raine and on the ground stop eny where night brings me up and keep one eye open for indians. in the parties that I traveld with we lost five men by the indians; addressed to Pepperell, Mass. and sent under another cover (no postmarks), Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Transcribed as written.

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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction

California Postal History

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

2013

11A

Agua Fria, Cal. Nov. 26 (Mariposa). Scarce manuscript town on cover to Johnson's Creek, N.Y., franked with pair oxidized 1851 3¢ type II (small flaws), not tied with manuscript "Masonic" square and compass cancels, Very Fine, scarce small town and the earliest known Masonic cancel.
Scott No. 11A; Estimate $150 - 200. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 11A] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2014

Angels Camp, April 2nd, 1859. Dateline on letter from miner to his father back east, with some interesting content in part…their has been some very rich diggings Struck around our claim. one Claim where there is five Partners interested washed out 1 day last week Eleven car loads holding about 1,200 lbs and got out 114 oz of pure gold valued at $2,000. their was a piece of gold weighing $47 picked up one rainy day last week on our claim on a pile of old tailings that had been washed over twice; with original 1855, 10¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to Chester, Pa. canceled by "Angels, Cal., Apr 3" cds (CAL-50), tear at bottom, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2015

California Registered Letter Receipts for Mail to Jacksonville, O.T., 1856. 27 receipts from various California town, most signed by postmasters; towns including Scott Bar, Colusa, Monte, Sutter Creek, San Andreas, Ottitiewa, Scott River, Chico, Vallecito, Oroville, Princeton, Mormon Island, Whisky Creek, Vacaville, Weaverville, Cottonwood & Forbestown, some town duplication, Very Fine overall.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2016

Quincy, Cal., Jan 20, 1882 (Plumas). Double line cds (PLU-1930) on oversized linen cover to Boston, Mass., franked with 1881, 3¢ blue green, horizontal strip of 6 and single (207) tied by target handstamps, docketed ""Argentine Mine", Map & letters, Jany 1882" at right; usual linen cover wear, missing backflap and stamp flaws including missing portions, F.-V.F. appearance.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

The Argentine Mine is located in Dolores county, Colorado at an elevation of 9,400 feet. It was discovered in 1875 with the mine company coming into existence the next year. (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction

2017

Sacramento City, Cal. (Sacramento). Cds ties 1857 1¢ blue Type V on cover to Grafton, cover with "California State Agricultural Society" illustrated circular corner card with original matching printed circular datelined "Sacramento, Dec, 26, 1860", Very Fine and choice, a scarce illustrated California circular rate.
Scott No. 24; Estimate $150 - 200. (Image1) (Image2)

Get Market Data for [United States 24] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$70.00
Will close during Public Auction

2018

San Jose, Cala., Aug 18 (Santa Clara). Manuscript postmark (SCL-2670) on 1849 folded letter to Virginia, Ill., with "via Panama & Chagres" routing endorsement, manuscript "Paid 52½ cts" crossed out and rerated "Paid 40" below, with letter written by newly arrived M.H.L. Schooley datelined "Puebelo de San Jose California, August 16th 1849" with contents reading in part…I informed you by letter from Acapulco of our safe arival in that port, and now embrace this opportunity to inform you that from Acapulco we had as long & tedious a voyage as we did from Panama & in consequence of our provision & water being exhausted we were compelled to put into Monterey 100 miles below San Francisco and were so hartily sick of the sea that we chose from this to take it by land. And after purchasing a pack horse the only means of conveyance from this place to the Placara, and packing up part of our goods & clothing (leaving the ballance) we started and are thus far on our journey. I do not expect to go to San Francisco at present but have sent by a friend who has gone up upon the vessel for my letters & will probably be in the Placara by then…We are going to the southern Diggings which are on the tributaries of San Joakin. we are going first to the Stanislaus and shall soon decide whether we remain there or go to some other place. We are fully satisfied now that there is great amt. of gold in California but many of the accounts which were published in the states before I left were no doubt exagerations and some true. We have seen, conversed & traveled for some days with men who we know have realized immense fortunes in a very short time some men (but few however) have obtained $50,000 in a few days but we are told that such opportunities do not now occur by digging…Goods & provisions &c in San Francisco are we are informed as cheap as in the city of N. York but the difficulty of transporting them to the mines increases the value three or four fold. A steamer is to start however in a few days from San Francisco to Sacramento City which is 4 miles below Sutters & very soon there will be conveniences for travelling & transporting goods., etc.; cover with some aging and light edge wear, F.-V.F., a wonderful early postmark and letter.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED POSTMARK FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction

2019

From Noisy Carrier's, Mail. 77 Long Wharf S.F. Cal. Exceptional strike of the rectangular handstamp on a cover franked with a four-margins 10¢ green type II (14) tied by an Apr 21 San Francisco c.d.s.; to Franklin, Mass.; stamp with a tiny tear in lower right corner, otherwise Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 14; Estimate $200 - 300. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 14] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$130.00
Will close during Public Auction

Western Express Covers

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

2020

Dugan & Wall's Northern Express, Crescent City Office. Buff money collection envelope dated May 7th, 1859, to Gassburg (Oregon), Extremely Fine and rare.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2021

Hawley & Co.'s Express. Red oval company handstamp (Thomas HAW-100b) on folded cover (Feb. 13, 1850) originating from Mexico to San Francisco, postmarked red boxed "Durango" handstamp with matching "Franco" alongside, red crayon Mexican "30" rating and manuscript $1.25 express rate at top, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A VERY RARE MARKING AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE ON A COVER ORIGINATING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

This cover was used from the short-lived period (starting Jan. 1850) when T. R. Hawley became the sole proprietor of the express he started in Oct. 1849 with his partners. Hawley later sold out to Freeman in Nov. 1850. (Image1)

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

2022

Pacific Stage & Express Co. Two different franks on six covers; with first type frank (PAS-001) on four buff covers, and blue oval frank (PAS-004) on two covers, one with unused 1851, 3¢ dull red (11) affixed; one of the former with small edge tear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2023

PAN-001

Panamint Pony Express via San Bernardino, Paid 25 Cents. Black fancy pony rider frank on unused 1870, 3¢ green entire (U83), Very Fine and choice.
Thomas No. PAN-001; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE PANAMINT PONY EXPRESS FRANK ENTIRE - WITH ONLY ONE USED EXAMPLE KNOWN.

It is believed that fewer than five unused examples of this frank are known. This express was the last pony service used in the old west. It was used to transport mail over a distance of 200 miles using six relays of horses between the ghost town of Darwin, Inyo County, thence over the Cajon Pass and on to San Bernardino, California.nn

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Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

2024

Tracy & Co. Red on white money collection envelope datelined "Jackville (Jacksonville) May 14, 1861", to Corvallis (Oregon), filled out in C.C. Beekman's handwriting; file folds and light edge soiling, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Ned Tracy extended his express from Portland to Jacksonville in 1861 and appointed Beekman his Jacksonville agent. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction

2025

Wells, Fargo & Co., Carson City. Perfectly struck blue dateless handstamp on 1861 3¢ pink entire with printed address of "The Mexican Silver Mining Co., Virginia City.", Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction

2026

Wells, Fargo & Co., Bodie, Cal. four nice entires all to "H.M. Yerington" in Carson City in Nev., each with nice strike of blue oval datestamp cancelling 3¢ green on amber entire with printed black Wells Fargo paid frank, also includes a number of Virginia and Truckee Railroad vouchers, most of which are signed by Yerington by hand or handstamp, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

H.M. Yerington was born in Canada in 1828 and came to Nevada in 1863. He was actively involved in mining, lumber, railroads and land development in Nevada and California until his death in 1910. He is probably best known as the general superintendent and vice-president of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. The city of Yerington is named after him.nn

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Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction

2027

Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Campo Seco. Oval handstamp cancels 3¢ pink (U59) on buff entire to San Francisco Cal. bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by manuscript "Collect" cancellation, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction

2028

Wells, Fargo & Co., Colfax. Two strikes of blue oval date stamp, one tying 1861, 3¢ rose on 1864, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, black frank at top, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction

2029

Wells, Fargo & Co., Dutch Flat. Blue oval handstamp on 1864 3¢ entire with black company frank to Nevada City, additionally franked with 1861 3¢ (s.e.) tied by second strike, additionally struck by black Wells, Fargo & Co. Grass Valley oval, slightly reduced at left & some "1865" docketing at right, Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$70.00
Will close during Public Auction

2030

Wells, Fargo & Co., Folsom, Feb 1. Blue oval datestamp at left and additional strike on backflap of 3¢ pink (U34) entire to Stonington, Conn. updated with 3¢ rose (65) pair tied by two strikes of "New York Mar 7" duplex, all-over green Palmer & Day Assayers of Gold shaded ad, printed black Wells Fargo paid frank at left and endorsed "Steamer" at bottom left; edge flaws, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$90.00
Will close during Public Auction

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