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Quick Navigation by Category  The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal (204)   |  United States (550)   | 
 

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The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal History continued...

Western Express - Adams to California Penny Post continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
801     U9 imageEnvelope, 1854, Nesbitt 1st Issue, 3¢ red, "THREE" in medium wide label with curved ends. Small black oval handstamp (ALT-100) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire with Alta Express Co. PAID printed frank (ALT-001) to San Francisco; stained at right, missing backflap, otherwise Very Fine, the only example of this Alta Columbia handstamp reported.
Scott No. U9; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
802     U9 imageEnvelope, 1854, Nesbitt 1st Issue, 3¢ red, "THREE" in medium wide label with curved ends. Large black oval company handstamp (BAM-101) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire used as paste-up with three strikes of boxed "Answer By Bamber & Cos Express" etc handstamp (BAM-404), back being simple yellow envelope with address to San Francisco; paste-up half opened roughly at right, Very Fine, a lovely item with three strike of this advertising express handstamp, ex-Knapp.
Scott No. U9; Estimate $200 - 300. (Image1)

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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
803     U59 imageEnvelope, 1864, Nesbitt 4th Issue, 3¢ pink on buff. Small blue double circle company handstamp (BAM-103) on 3¢ pink entire with "Bamber & Co's Express, W.B. Hardy's Office, Oakland" printed frank entire (BAM-003) to Massachusetts, postmarked San Francisco, Cal double circle with target cancel; trimmed at right just into indicium, small spot of incomplete printing at top left of printed frank, F.-V.F., a scarce type Bamber marking.
Scott No. U59; Estimate $100 - 150. (Image1)

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Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction
804     U35 imageEnvelope, 1861, Nesbitt 3rd Issue, 3¢ pink on buff. Black printed frank (Thomas BAM-005) with light red double circle "J. Bamber & Co.'s Express San Francisco" datestamp (Thomas BAM-102) and blue double circle Wells Fargo San Francisco datestamp on 3¢ pink on buff entire (U35) to Santa Cruz, Very Fine and scarce, ex-Edwards and Whitington.
Scott No. U35; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
805     U59 imageEnvelope, 1864, Nesbitt 4th Issue, 3¢ pink on buff. Red double circle handstamp (BAM-102) on 1861 3¢ pink entire with "Bamber & Co's Express, W.B. Hardy's Office, Oakland" printed frank entire (BAM-003) to Oakland, light albino embossed merchant corner card at lower left, slight wear at top left into printed frank, Very Fine and attractive.
Scott No. U59; Estimate $150 - 200. (Image1)

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Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
806       imageJ. Bamber & Co.'s Express S.F. Feb 20. Blue double circle handstamp (BAM-102) on 3¢ pink entire with "Bamber & Co's Express, W.B. Hardy's Office, Oakland" printed frank entire (BAM-004) to San Francisco, with Feb 20, 1869 oval merchant handstamp; trimmed slightly at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction
807     68 image1861, 10¢ green. black on orange label (Thomas BCE-900) and vert. strip of 3 of British Columbia & Vancouver Is. 1865 3p Blue (7) (bottom stamp with small piece missing) cancelled by light numeral oval cancel in combination with United States 1861 10¢ green (68, added/replacement) with San Francisco cogwheel cancel on yellow cover to Maple P.O., Ontario; docketing on verso "Received Novbr 20th 70" with a couple very light transit and/or receiving markings; slightly reduced at left & cover nick at bottom right corner, Very Fine appearance.
Scott No. 68; Estimate $500 - 750.

When on August 17, 1862, prospector Billy Barker struck major gold deposits at the head of Williams Creek, he culminated probes of others who had come to the area as early as 1859. The 50 miles surrounding what would become Barkerville contained the greatest and richest gold deposits in the history of British Columbia. Thus began the "Cariboo" gold rush. The Cariboo gold region was 400 miles beyond the head of navigation on the Fraser River. It was located northeast of Fort Hope / Yale area, which was the scene of the "Fraser River" gold rush of a few years prior. In 1862, Francis Jones Barnard established a one-horse pony express with himself as sole rider, serving the Cariboo from Yale, where he met with Dietz & Nelson Express that provided services between New Westminster and Yale. $1 per letter carrier or delivered. (Image1)

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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
808       imageBerford & Cos Express, San Francisco Cal. Black double-oval company handstamp (Thomas BER-101), second lighter strike, and Berford's matching "FREE" handstamp on brown legal size cover to "Hon. Elisha O. Crosby, Senator, San José", minor cover wear at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Elisha Oscar Crosby (July 18, 1818 - June 25, 1895) was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. He served as a member of the California State Senate from 1849 to 1852. After a constitutional convention met in Monterey, San Jose was named the first capital from 1849-1851. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
809       imageForwarded by Bowers Express. Black oval company handstamp (Thomas BOW-100) on six-page folded letter entered the mails with blurry black cds "San Francisco Cal. Oct [xx] 40" integral rate datestamp with handstamp "PAID" and manuscript "40" rate marking to New Hampshire; datelined "Nevada City, Oct 25, 1850 At the Eureka Cabin" with lengthy contents, in part, "…Feeling a desire to try the mines, and having been confined for three months in a daily morning newspaper office, with two fellow-pointers from the same office and of the same Mindelheim & Kirchheim I embarked from San Francisco on the 28th Sept on the steamer West Point for the good city of Sacramento…Benicia is composed of some [15 or 20 houses altered to few houses and stores] and there are several ships anchored in the stream. Altogether it was quite a commercial appearance. During the night we passed New York, a very thriving little city, and in the morning woke up to find ourselves sailing up the beautiful Sacramento River…we engaged a four mule team to take us up to Nevada City, and about sunset we left Sacramento City with our blankets, and our carpet bags (one each) for Nevada…At night we encamped near the 'Indian Spring'. The next morning we passed through 'Rough and Ready' where we had our first glimpse at the 'elephant' in the shape of gold digging and washing in the ravines near the town…At Navada city, we were astonished at the intent of the mining operations. We visited the 'cayote' works and found that some of the shafts had been sunk more than sixty feet. They are called cayote holes, from the fact that the cayotes (the prairie wolves) dig their holes in a similar manner, for winter lodgings…" letter with a lot more detail on the trip, the mining activities and the like; Bowers Express would have carried this letter from Nevada (City) to San Francisco for entry into the mails; some wear at edges, many of which have been reinforced, some water staining, Fine and rare.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

John Taylor Bowers, with the help of his brother Herbert and possibly his other brothers, started running small packages, letters, and gold dust between Caldwell's Upper Crossing (later know as Nevada City) to Sacramento and on to San Francisco in Aug, 1849. They quickly expanded to serve Grass Valley, Rough & Ready, Washington, and the mines along Poor Man's Creek and the Yuba River. They advertised as connecting with Freeman in Sacramento and Adams in San Francisco. Freeman purchased Bowers Express in Sep, 1851 to establish a direct business presence in Nevada City.

This cover is the subject of an article written by Dr. Milgram in Western Express (Dec. 2009). (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
810       imageForwarded By Bowers Express. Perfect strike of small black company oval (BOW-100) on blue folded letter datelined "Nevada City Mar 15, 1851"; postmarked red-orange "San Francisco, Cal. 1 Apr" cds with matching "40" rate handstamp addressed to Maine; miner's letter talks of the trials and tribulations of his venture, the weather, etc.; a second cover accompanies from the same correspondence postmarked blue "Placerville, Cal. 25 Feb" cds with "Paid 6" in circle handstamp, Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN OF THE DOZEN OR SO BOWER'S EXPRESS COVERS REPORTED.

John Taylor Bowers, with the help of his brother Herbert and possibly his other brothers, started running small packages, letters, and gold dust between Caldwell's Upper Crossing (later know as Nevada City) to Sacramento and on to San Francisco in Aug, 1849. They quickly expanded to serve Grass Valley, Rough & Ready, Washington, and the mines along Poor Man's Creek and the Yuba River. They advertised as connecting with Freeman in Sacramento and Adams in San Francisco. Freeman purchased Bowers Express in Sep, 1851 to establish a direct business presence in Nevada City. (Image1)

Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction
811     68, 76 image(British Columbia & Vancouver Island) Dietz & Nelsons British Columbia & Victoria Express, PAID. Black printed frank vertically at left (Thomas DIE-002) on 1864 on 3¢ pink on buff entire to San Francisco with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, additional franked with United States 1861 5¢ brown + 10¢ green tied by "Wells, Fargo & Co Victoria Aug 27" blue oval datestamp (Thomas WFE-107) handstamps, additional strike cancelling entire, 10¢ with a tiny hole at bottom left, entire with minor defects, Very Fine appearance, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 68, 76; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1)

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Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
812       image(British Columbia & Vancouver Island) Victoria Vancouver Island, Post Office, Paid. Blue oval frank handstamp on 1866 blue cover to Oldham, Lancashire, England, additionally franked with U.S. 1862 24¢ lilac (78, overall aging) tied by cogwheel handstamp with matching "San Francisco, Cal., Jan 24" cds alongside, light red New York exchange markings on front (undecipherable with red ink on dark blue cover), reverse with receiving cds; ironed out vertical fold, trimmed unevenly at left, some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
813     U35 imageEnvelope, 1861, Nesbitt 3rd Issue, 3¢ pink on buff. Partial blue oval handstamp (Thomas WFE-101) on 1861 3¢ pink entire (U35) to Dalles, Near Portland, Oregon; sharp bold strike of "Post Office, Victoria V.I." Coat of Arms blue handstamped postal frank, black Wells Fargo frank at top; couple minor toning spots, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Scott No. U35; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
814     U35 imageEnvelope, 1861, Nesbitt 3rd Issue, 3¢ pink on buff. Partial blue oval datestamp (Thomas WFE-107) on 1861 3¢ pink entire (U35) to San Francisco, unusually clear and bold strike of "Post Office, Victoria V.I." Coat of Arms blue handstamped postal frank, black Wells, Fargo & Co. company frank at top, Very Fine and attractive, a choice strike of the Victoria frank.
Scott No. U35; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
815     U40 imageEnvelope, 1861, Nesbitt 3rd Issue, 10¢ yellow green. Blue oval datestamp (Thomas WFE-107) on 1861 10¢ green entire (U40) to San Francisco, partial strike of "Post Office, Victoria V.I." Coat of Arms blue handstamped postal frank, black Wells, Fargo & Co. frank at top; docketed left "Victoria Jany 20/69" with business letter enclosed datelined "Victoria B Columbia 20 January 1869", Very Fine, with 1964 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. U40; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
816       imageForwarded by Browns Express. Small blue company oval handstamp (BRW-101) on folded cover to Stockton, postmarked "Marysville, Cal Sep 2" blue cds with matching "5" rate handstamp, matching Brown's "$1" express fee handstamp (BRW-205b), "S H" pencil notation vertically at left is Brown's notation for delivery to "Stockton Hill"; minor wax seal damage to back of folded lettersheet, Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

WHILE BROWN'S EXPRESS COVERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY RARE, THIS EXAMPLE IS PARTICULARLY CHOICE DUE TO THE QUALITY OF THE VARIOUS HANDSTAMPS.

William A. Brown began his express in August, 1850, from his primary office in Stockton. He connected initially with Todd & Co. and later (April, 1851) with Newell & Co. They, in turn, connected at San Francisco with Adam's Express for service to the Atlantic States. Brown was murdered on April 2, 1853 by a disgruntled employee, after which Adams & Co. continued to operate the express under his name until January, 1854, after which no further Brown's Express ads can be found. (Image1)

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Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
817       imageForwarded by Browns Express. Wonderful strike of small blue company oval handstamp (BRW-101) on cover originating from Massachusetts, postmarked blue "Lowell, Mass Feb 14" (1852) with matching "10" rate handstamp in right part of address to Stockton; Browns picked up this cover in Stockton, charging $1 (as evidenced by Brown's "$1" handstamp, BRW-205b) and delivered it to Mr. Timothy Wilkins in "Oak Flat" (lower left), docketed "Feb 11, 1852"; neatly mended cover tear at top, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

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Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
818       imageBrown's Express. Three Express Covers from the Stephen Chapin Davis correspondence, all handled by Brown's Express.

First is a folded cover dated "Nashua Sept 17, 1852" from brother George to Stephen in Stockton Cal., black Nashua N.H. cds and matching "10" rate handstamp, lightly struck blue "Forwarded By/Browns/ Express" handstamp (Thomas BRW-101) and matching "$1" express rate handstamp (Thomas BRW-205b), with additional manuscript "M C" applied by Brown's agent indicating delivery point was Maxwell's Creek, cover is clean and Very Fine.

Second cover has black Nashua N.H. cds with matching "10" rate handstamp, lightly struck large blue "Brown's/ Express/Stockton" express co. handstamp (Thomas BRW-100) with matching blue "$1" express rate handstamp (Thomas BRW-205b), manuscript "M C" for carriage to Maxwell's Creek, cover defects

Third cover has portion of black Nashua N.H. cds which tied a now missing pair of 3¢ 1851 stamps (confirmed from Davis covers in Calif. State Lib.), very light but readable large blue "Brown's/ Express/Stockton" handstamp (Thomas BRW-100) with matching blue "$1" express rate handstamp (Thomas BRW-205b) and manuscript "M C" Maxwell's Creek destination. Letter from brother, Mial, dated "Nashua Feb 4, 52" gently admonishing Stephen for his conduct in California - "We have been told, Stephen, that you have gambling and drinking connected with your Bowling Alley and Store" - is included with cover, cover defects, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Stephen Chapin Davis and his brother, Josiah, journeyed to California in 1850, mining and keeping store at Long Bar, where they also ran an express between the Yuba River mining camps and Sacramento and San Francisco. Stephen later kept a store at Coulterville on Maxwell's Creek. Never healthy enough to actively mine for gold, Stephen C. Davis died in 1856 at age 23. The Davis correspondence was ultimately found in the attic of a house in Nashua, New Hampshire which had long been vacated by Davis descendants, and most of it is now in the California State Library, Sacramento. (Image1)

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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
819     34LU9 imageCalifornia Penny Post Co., 1855-59, 5¢ black on buff. "To the Penny Post Co." straight line at top on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco; minor tear at top extends into "P" of "Post", some adhesion on verso, Very Fine.
Scott No. 34LU9; Estimate $200 - 300.

Richard Frajola's on-line census of the Penny Post covers lists this as cover #310 and is described as follows: "(Pacific Express posthumous use) cover in two states: California Penny Post cover addressed to J.R. Lewis at San Francisco, top image before the pencil 'Pacific Express' was removed (photo from Sloane while in Lichtenstein collection), lower image when offered by Bruce Gimelson at auction after pencil directives cleaned off (Sep 26, 1967, lot #106 - later appeared in Siegel sale of Clifford collection)"; a used leftover from the Penny Post, with the Pacific Express notations removed. (Image1)

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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - Central Overland to Greenhood &
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
820       imageThe Central Overland Californi[a] & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City, K.T. Jul 5 [1860]. Black oval datestamp (Thomas RMW-102) entered mails with blue "Saint Joseph Mo. Jul 12 1860" cds tying 1857 3¢ dull red (26, few nibbed perfs), on cover to Illinois; reduced at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 500.

This cover was sent outside the mails from Denver to St. Joseph via the Central Overland Route (Denver-Julesburg-Fort Kearney) on a COC & PP coach. From there it entered the mails to Ohio. (Image1)

Est. $400-500
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction

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