• Login (enter your user name) and Password
    Please Login. You are NOT Logged in.

    Quick Search:

  • To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork® news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

Login to Use StampAuctionNetwork®.
New Member? Click "Register".

StampAuctionNetwork® Extended Features


More Useful Information:
 
You are not logged in. Please Login so that we can determine your registration status with this firm. If you have never registered, please register by pressing the [Quick Signup (New to StampAuctionNetwork)] button. Then Login.      Listen to Live Audio!
 
Quick Navigation by Category  The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal (204)   |  United States (550)   | 
 

logo

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

Western Express - Central Overland to Greenhood & continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
821       imageThe Central Overland Californi[a] & Pikes Peak Express Company Denver City, K.T. Jun 29. Clear black oval company handstamp (Thomas RMW-102) with barred oval killer tying 1857 3¢ dull red (26) on cover to Leavenworth City, Kansas, slight reduction at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

This company was the immediate predecessor of The Pony Express. It was organized by the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell for the purpose of saving the partnership's freighting operations to army posts in the West. They were one of two firms that carried mail to the Pike's Peak region when the gold rush began there. C.O.C. & P.P.E. had obtained the mail contract from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City operating over the Platte River Road. They carried the express Pike's Peak mail over this route as far as Julesburg, where it was diverted south to Denver, which had a post office, but no mail route serving the town. This cover originated in Illinois and at St. Joseph it was handed to the C.O.C. & P.P.E. who delivered it to Mountain City, Kansas Territory. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
822       imageCentral Overland Californi[a] & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City, K.T. My 25. Fine black oval company handstamp (Thomas RMW-102) on buff cover franked with damaged 1857 3¢ dull red (26) tied by black double circle cds "Leavenworth City, Kas. [Jun] 1" cover to Fort Riley, Kansas; included is original enclosure datelined "Denver City Col. Ter. May 23d 1861" reads, in part, "…At last we have got to Denver…My first call was at the P.O. where the first news from you greeted my eyes…The market here is very low - if I sell now - as I am doing it is at a considerable loss - still not a total one. What we brought may pay five cents a pound freight…hope to hear from you again when the US mail comes again - next Monday night - only a weekly mail here yet…", Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (15MB). (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
823     26 image1857, 3¢ dull red, type III. Entered the mails with manuscript "Glenwood Ioa Nov 28" postmark and manuscript cancelled 1857 3¢ dull red (26, nibbed perfs) sender's directive "Care COC and PP Express, St. Joseph Mo" was honored, COC & PP picking up the letter at the St. Joseph post office and carrying it to the addressee at Mountain City, Kansas Territory (now Colorado) "via Denver City" notation at lower left; enclosed lengthy mostly business letter datelined "Glenwood Nov 24th 1860"; reduced at right up to stamp, couple small cover faults, Very Fine, Inbound COC & PP covers with the St. Joseph marking are much scarcer than their outbound Denver City counterparts.
Scott No. 26; Estimate $500 - 750. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 26] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
824       imageThe Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company St. Joseph, Mo. Oct 17 [1861]. Mostly clear black oval company handstamp (Thomas RMW-103) on 3¢ star die entire (U26) originating with "Sumner Kansas Oct 16, 1861" cds and addressed to Central City, Colorado; manuscript directive at left "Care C.O.C.&P.P. Express" with pencil notation "Opened by mistake by Hiram A Johnson"; flap missing & minor restoration at top, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
825       imageCheyenne & Black Hills Stage Co's Express, G. S. & P. Printed frank (Type 2c) on 3¢ Green entire to Lexington, Michigan, carried from the Black Hills to Cheyenne where it entered the mails with "Cheyenne, Wyo. Fed 9" cds with killer cancelling the indicia. neat mended tear at right, still Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A VERY RARE WESTERN EXPRESS WITH ONLY THREE OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS FRANK ARE RECORDED.

The Cheyenne & Black Hills Express was organized in 1876 by F. D. Yates, with its inaugural run departing on February 2, 1876, from Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, to Custer City, Dakota Territory, via the Red Cloud Agency. Just ten days later, Yates sold his interest to Gilmer, Salisbury, and Patrick, who expanded the route through Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory, to the booming mining camp of Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Patrick withdrew from the partnership on October 1, 1878, and on May 15, 1883, Gilmer and Salisbury sold the operation to Russell Thorpe, Sr., who continued to run the line until February 19, 1887.

The Express emerged in direct response to the Black Hills gold rush. On August 3, 1874, famed Army scout "Lonesome" Charley Reynolds rode into Fort Laramie bearing sensational news: gold had been discovered in the Black Hills by Custer's exploring expedition. The announcement spread rapidly, igniting a stampede of prospectors into the region - land long held sacred by Native tribes and guaranteed to them as hunting grounds under treaty agreements. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
826       image[Clarke's Centennial Express to the Black Hills.] Sidney Short Route. Printed frank (Persson Type 1) at upper left of 3¢ red on white Centennial entire (U218) addressed to Iowa, entered the mails with very light magenta "Sidney Neb. Jan 16" cds; included is original enclosure datelined "Crook City, DT Jan 7th, 1877" and reads, in part, "…the mails going only twice a week will bring several together…visit to a wonderful cave of rocks that I had heard of…the grandest sight I ever saw…the cave is about 20 feet square at the entrance but it gets larger as you go in…R.D. Jennings", the letter goes on to describe the cave (thought to be Bethlehem Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota) in some detail; minor cover restoration just above indicium, Very Fine and choice, featured in an article in Western Express by Dr. Milgram (June 2021).
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

POSSIBLY THE FINEST CLARKE'S EXPRESS COVER KNOWN, AS THE REVERSE (COVERED WITH PROPAGANDA ADVERTISING) OF THESE COVERS IS USUALLY HEAVILY DAMAGED; THIS ONE IS PRISTINE.

The December, 2018 issue of "Western Express" contained a comprehensive article by Ken Stach regarding Clarke's Centennial Express, including a census of known covers. Six Type 1 covers are recorded in that census. This Type 1 cover, not included in that census, is from the same correspondence and has a letter with the same dateline as one of those recorded. Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (29MB). (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$650.00
Will close during Public Auction
827       imageClarke's Centennial Express to the Black Hills. Sidney Short Route. Light green printed frank (Persson Type 9) on 3¢ Centennial entire (U218), reverse with all-over Express advertising text, entered the mails with light magenta "Sidney, Neb Feb 24" (1877) postmarked for delivery to Iowa with lengthy original enclosure datelined "Deadwood, D.T. Feb 18th 1877" and reads, in part, "…I have headed my letter Deadwood & here I am in Crook [Crook City, Dakota Territory] but it was a mistake…I expected the stage would get in from Sidney tonight & I would get my letters from my pet, but it has not come yet, but I expect it in the morning…I am certain there has been some trouble here or out from here with Indians. Since I left, one man was killed & another wounded. They have stole lots of stock & troops have been ordered here & will be in next Wednesday. There has been great excitement but I missed it all as I always do but I am not sorry & hope I may never see any of them, but I am not at all afraid for I am cautious & don't go where they are apt to be found…Raymond", and much more; some minor professional restoration, a few words from the overall back ad missing (as is typical for these covers on verso), still Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE AND IMPORTANT BLACK HILLS GOLD RUSH EXPRESS COVER WITH ORIGINAL CONTENTS. ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE 9 PRINTED FRANK OF CLARKE'S CENTENNIAL EXPRESS, THIS BEING THE FINER OF THE TWO.

Henry Tefft Clarke began this express by running ponies from the railhead at Sidney, Nebraska to the Black Hills of Dakota Territory in May, 1876. He began running the route with wagons carrying express mail, freight and passengers shortly thereafter. His "Centennial Express" ceased operation in June, 1877. Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (37MB). (Image1) (Image2)

image

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

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
828       imageClarke's Centennial Express to the Black Hills, Sidney Short Route. Dark green printed frank (Persson Type 11) unused on 3¢ green on white Centennial entire (U219), showing complete all over detailed back ad with rates, etc. that Clarke charged for freight, passengers, etc., Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Henry Tefft Clarke (1834-1913) was a pioneer legislator, builder and freight operator, he ran his Centennial Express from July 1876 to July 1878, carrying mail between the Union Pacific depot in Sidney and Deadwood, Dakota (via Custer City). (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
829       imageEstill & Co's Express. Manuscript endorsement (Thomas EST-001) on 1850 blue folded letter from along the overland trail addressed to Hoosick Postoffice, Green Co., Wisconsin; entered mails with "Weston Mo. Aug 16" red cds and matching "10" cents due handstamp, with one light line canceling the "10" due and in blue ink "paid to here" (different hand, perhaps applied at the Hoosick post office, but appears to be the same ink and handwriting as the Sept 14th, 1850 message enclosed); lengthy letter enclosed with several datelines as the writer continued his message: June 24th 1850, Sept 14th, 1850 and Sept 29; interesting contents, in part, "…when I last wrote we were at Laramie…we are now within one and a half miles of the dividing ridge of the atlantick and passiffic nine hundred miles from St. Joe. We arrived at the ferry on the upper platte on the 15th…the price was $5.00 for the wagon, $2.00 per head for cattle, $1.00 for pony, and $3.00 to the ferryman to pass us…I expect to send this letter the express for the emigrants and is now recruiting five miles from here. This is the last letter you will be likely got from me that comes this way. The rest wil have to through calafornia…Albert S. Holmes…", Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

ONLY FIVE COVERS HAVE SURVIVED FROM THE ONE TRIP ESTILL MADE WITH HIS EXPRESS, TWO OF WHICH ARE HELD IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION BY WELLS FARGO. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE.

Colonel James M. Estill made a single round-trip on the Oregon-to-California Trail between Weston, Missouri and Pacific Spring, in the Sweetwater River Valley of present day Wyoming. His idea was to promote a transcontinental express service in lieu of the U.S. mail by collecting the mail along the emigrant trail for a fee of 50¢ per letter. Estill reportedly deposited 4000 letters into the US mail system at Weston, Missouri on Aug 16, 1850. Only five Estill Express covers are known to survive, all sent collect 10¢. (Image1)

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

Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
830       imageJames M. Estill articles of agreement. Four-page document written by James W. Denver (only two of which have the agreement written upon them), dated "March 8, 1851" of an agreement amongst James M. Estill, Robert U. Gray, Ludwell H. Feagans and James W. Denver "for the purpose of doing business in partnership…engaging in the packing and trading business in the Klamath country, the aforesaid James M. Estill shalll furnish all the horses and mules necessary…Robert U. Gray to furnish …capital equal to fifteen hundred dollars…Robert U. Gray, Ludwell Feagans and James W. Denver are to go with the expedition and give their personal services towards forwarding the interests of the same…" with further details of the business agreement spelled out in the remainder of the document; all four "signatures" are oddly in the hand of James W. Denver; minor splitting at file folds, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$270.00
Will close during Public Auction
831       imageLetter written by James M. Estill. Datelined "San Francisco Oct 5th 1856" on bluish paper and mailed privately (no postal markings) in yellow envelope to Hon J.W. Denver, Washington City, D.C.; letter is mostly of a political nature, signed "J.M. Estill", Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
832       imageLetter from J.M. Estill. Bold black "N. York Steamship" circular handstamp with "FREE" straight line on brown cover to Hon James W. Denver, Supt Indian Affairs, Washington; docketed at left "Ansd May 5, 1858"; original enclosure datelined "San Francisco January 4th, 1858" and reads, in part, "…I would like to be commissary or Quartermaster to the expedition from Cal. to Utah, provided one or two Regiments should be called for from this state…J.M. Estill", internal envelope toning gives the appearance of edge work, but none is evident, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
833       imageEvert Snell & Co.'s Feather River Express. Large blue oval company handstamp (EVS-102) on buff 1852 cover originating from New York to Marysville, Cal., postmarked partial "Whitney's Point N.Y. Nov 6" cds & arced "PAID" and "6" rate marking; sender's endorsement "To be forwarded by Everts & Co Express to Onion Valley" at left and Everts Snell's pencil notations of "O.V." (Onion Valley) and "1.50" ($1.50 express fee due) at top; small tape staining at top left, minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Carried by the Post Office to Marysville and onward to Everts Express to Onion Valley. Frank D. Everts and John A. Snell had this partnership from Mar, 1852 thru July, 1854. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
834       imageEverts, Wilson & Co.'s Express, Rabbit Creek. Nice strike of black company circular handstamp (EVW-100) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, with company "PAID" in oval handstamp (EVW-200); light edge wear, Very Fine and rare, ex-Knapp.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction
835       imageFord & Co.'s Express. Green rimless circle handstamp with star and circle at center (FOR-100) on buff cover with light red-orange "Sacramento City, Cal. 7 Jul" cds addressed to Sacramento; dropped in the local post office where Ford's Express picked up the cover for delivery to the addressee on their express listing at some camp between Sacramento and Greenwood, the termini of his route, Ford's "1.30" rate marking noting $1.25 express fee and $0.05 postage due; docketing on verso "Rec'd Sunday July 13th 1851"; very light edge wear at bottom including tiny tear, Very Fine and rare, illustrated in Letters of Gold.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE ONLY SEVEN REPORTED EXAMPLES OF THIS HANDSTAMP LISTED IN THOMAS.

James May Ford was agent for Monson & Co.'s Express in Coloma and Greenwood by Sep, 1850. Contemporary Marysville newspapers list him in that capacity through Jan, 1851. He formed Ford & Co.'s express around the same time, operating until at least Jan, 1852. By May, 1852 he had left the express business and went on to become a daguerrean artist in San Francisco. (Image1)

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
836     U10 imageEnvelope, 1854, Nesbitt 1st Issue, 3¢ red on buff, "THREE" in medium wide label with curved ends. Light blue oval handstamp (Thomas FRM-102) with red Freeman's printed frank (Thomas FRM-007) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire (U10) to San Francisco; merchant's printed advertising "James Wilson, General Merchandise Store, Coulterville, Mariposa Co., Cal." at bottom left, Very Fine.
Scott No. U10; Estimate $200 - 300. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States U10] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
837       imageFreeman & Co's Express. Small blue company oval (FRE-101) on white cover to Sacramento City, with manuscript "Paid" at bottom left and pencil "8" rate marking at top right (eight bits = one dollar); light soiling and tear at top left, still Very Fine, this Freeman handstamp is known in black, red and blue, thought to have been used in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Marysville respectively; one of only two examples of this company handstamp reported in blue ink (Marysville)., ex-Knapp.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

John M Freeman bought out T.R. Hawley's interest in Hawley's Express on Nov 11, 1850. The route was between Sacramento City and San Francisco by steamboat with further service to river offices north to Marysville. Adams Express operated as Freeman's agent and expediter in San Francisco. The express served as a trunk line connecting at Sacramento with Bower's Express for service to Nevada City and with Langton's Express for service to Downieville. After his purchase of Mumby's Express in June 1851, Freeman sold out to Adams & Co on Aug 16, 1852. After serving as an agent for Adams & Co for several years, he started a new Freeman's Express after Adam's failure in February 1855. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
838       imageFreeman & Co's Express. Small red company oval handstamp (Thomas FRE-102), circa 1851, on bluish outer lettersheet of legal size cover to "San Fran", vertical file folds & missing bottom flap, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

One of about a dozen known examples of this first Freeman's Express handstamp known in red, which is the color thought to have been used exclusively at the Sacramento office. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
839       imageFreeman & Co.'s Express Sep 20. Red company circular datestamp (FRM-104) on buff cover to San Francisco, docketed with manuscript "from Schutter Oct 22" in blue at top left; small repair at top left corner, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Knapp.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

This rare express marking thought to have been used from New York, one of only eight known usages of the Freeman circular date stamp. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
840     U10 imageEnvelope, 1854, Nesbitt 1st Issue, 3¢ red on buff, "THREE" in medium wide label with curved ends. Printed frank with details of office locations (FRM-001) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire (U10) to San Jose, 2011 P.F. certificate notes that it is a genuine usage "with manuscript 'X' marks deleting the frank"; likely a leftover used for postage after Freeman ceased operation in Nov, 1859, Very Fine, one of only three recorded examples of this Freeman's printed frank, ex-Lyons, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. U10; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States U10] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

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

Previous Page, Next Page or Return to Table of Contents

StampAuctionNetwork® is a registered trademark of Droege Computing Services, Inc | StampAuctionCentral and StampAuctionNetwork® are Copyright © 1994-2026 Droege Computing Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Mailing Address: 20 West Colony Place, Suite 120, Durham NC 27705 | If you want to talk to me about anything other than selling your stamps, call 919-403-9459 and ask for Tom Droege, or email support@stampauctionnetwork.com We can help you evaluate or sell your collection so... Click here for help selling your Collection. Once you follow the instructions we can talk. But first we have a process. Sign up for a paid or free membership | Lost your Links? Return to StampAuctionNetwork® | Instructional Videos - Master StampAuctionNetwork® | Sign up for our Newsletter | Terms and Conditions.