• 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 - Gregory's to Hopkinson's continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
861       imageGregory's Express Office, San Francisco. Blue three-line company handstamp (GRE-109) with matching blue "PAID" (GRE-109) on blue folded letter datelined "San Francisco Jan 21st 1852", personal content talks about coming to Sacramento, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
862       imageHawley & C's Express. Red oval handstamp (Thomas HAW-100) on blue folded letter to San Francisco; business contents datelined "Sacramento City Nov 13th 1850"; couple light vertical file folds, Very Fine and rare, ex-Jarrett.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY SIX EXAMPLES OF THIS HANDSTAMP KNOWN IN RED, PER THE THOMAS BOOK CENSUS.

T. R. Hawley began in the express business as a partner in Weld & Co.'s Express in 1849. In Nov, 1849 Hawley bought out his associates in Weld Co.'s Express and changed the name to Hawley & Co.'s Express. Initially, he ran between San Francisco and Sacramento, with a stop at Benicia, later adding Fremont, Nicholas, Eliza City, and Marysville. Hawley connected with Adams & Co. in San Francisco. He added John M. Freeman (who had left Adams & Co.) as a partner in Jul, 1850, around the same time he acquired Angle & Co.'s Express. Hawley sold his interest in the firm to John M. Freeman, based on an announcement of Nov 11, 1850. Hawley & Co.'s Express operated through the end of Nov, 1850, after which it transitioned to Freeman & Co.'s Express. (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
863       imageHinckley & Co.'s Express Denver City Oct 18, 1860. Clear black company cds (Thomas HIN-100) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire (U10) to Wisconsin with Hinckley & Co.'s scroll printed frank at left (Thomas HIN-001), entered mails with double circle "Saint Joseph Mo. Oct 25, 1860" cds, stain at lower left corner, irregularly reduced at left just into printed frank & unnoticeable abrasion to left of express handstamp, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
864       imageHinckley & Co.'s Express Denver City Jan 1, 1861. Black cds (Thomas HIN-100) with their printed frank (unlisted variety in Thomas) on 1860-61 3¢ Stsr Die entire (U27) to Pittsburg, entered the mails with green double circle cds "Saint Joseph Mo. Jan 3"; manuscript "Due 3" for double-weight letter as the original eight-page enclosure datelined "Denver City, Idahoe Dec 28th, 1860" reads, in part, "…Many who came here last spring returned to the States with lots of "dust" and although more returned with none…There has been over $5,000,000 of gold taken out the past year…Many have gone down to New Mexico to winter, attracted by reports of rich discoveries down there known as the San Juan Mines, both silver & Gold…It is very quiet & dull here this winter excepting a little shooting or stabbing scrape occasionally…There has been a good many murders committed since I came here but the murderers have all managed to excape but three, that number have been executed since the middle of June, the last one was hung a week ago today. He was an Irishman, had committed a cold blooded murder, was arrested, and as the people had learned to distrust the courts here, he was tried before a 'Peoples Court'…On Thanksgiving day we had one of the grandest parties (dinner & dance) ever gotten up in the country, and could you have suddenly been placed in one ball or dining room, you would hardly have thought it possible that you were at the base of the Rocky Mountains where two years ago there were not fifty persons…Denver has a population of about six thousand and contains many buildings that would do credit to Clevd or Pitt. large fine brick buildings. Next year I presume our population will double, at least, for there will undoubtedly be treble the ermnigration to this country that there was last year and many will settle in Denver…I am going up Cherry Creek in a few days to try and get a ranche up there. A friend says he knows of two that we can jump that in the spring will be valuable…When you write direct your letter to me at 'Denver City care C.O.C. & P. P. Express at St. Joseph'…Since writing this letter, I learn that there is to be a duel this week between our post master (who fought one duel last year) and another bummer…"; entire with minor defect at lower corners to be expected from mailing an eight-page letter, still Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A GREAT EARLY LETTER DESCRIBING MINING AND THE GROWTH OF DENVER.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (42MB). (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
865       imageForwarded By Hoffman & Co Express. Black company oval (HOF-100) on buff cover from Indiana to Sacramento City, mailed with manuscript "Boonville Ind. Aug 26" postmark with matching "40" rate, included thick original enclosure datelined "August the 23d 1850" inquiring about the gold rush; light wear around edges due to thick letter contained, Very Fine and rare, one of only seven reported covers from this very early express operation., illustrated in Nathan and Letters of Gold.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Frank J. Hoffman was the senior partner in each of the three Hoffman Expresses which operated in Northern California between Dec, 1849 and Oct, 1851: Hoffman & Co. Express with an unknown partner (Dec, 1849 to sometime in 1850), Hoffman & Page's Express (Sep, 1850 to Jan, 1851), Hoffman & Little's Express (Jan/Feb, 1851 to Sep/Oct, 1851). Their primary route was from Sacramento up the American River to the South and North Forks of the American, with an additional route from Nevada City to Rough & Ready, Grass Valley, Newtown, Bridgeport, Sacramento and San Francisco. Hoffman & Co. sold out to George E. Clarke, acting on behalf of Gregory's Express. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
866       imageHopkinson's Express, Paid. Ornate company frank (HOP-004) on 1864-65 3¢ entire to Nevada City, Cal. with manuscript "WF ¾" on indicia, perhaps indicating handling by Wells, Fargo & Co., corner repair at top left; ex-Hackett, F.-V.F., extremely rare frank from Hopkinson's second term of ownership (1865-on).
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
867     U58 imageEnvelope, 1864, Nesbitt 4th Issue, 3¢ pink. Black printed frank (HOP-004) on 3¢ pink entire (U58) to Oroville, Butte Co., Cal; no other markings; light flyspecking at right, Very Fine.
Scott No. U58; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States U58] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
868     U58 imageEnvelope, 1864, Nesbitt 4th Issue, 3¢ pink. Printed frank (HOP-006) on 3¢ pink entire (U58) to Nevada City; manuscript notation at left "Apr 24/67", Extremely Fine, one of four examples of this printed frank reported in Thomas., ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Scott No. U58; Estimate $300 - 400.

In Mar, 1862, Emerson Bennett Hopkinson purchased Durgan's express route that ran from Nevada City into the Dutch Flat area with service to Hunt's Hill, Red Dog, and Little York. In Jun, 1864, he sold the route to J. A. Stone, but repurchased it Feb, 1865. Hopkinson established another route in Jun, 1864 on the Dutch Flat and Washoe Road. He connected with Wells Fargo at both Nevada City and Dutch Flat. Hopkinson is thought to have ceased operating sometime in late 1868 or early 1869. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States U58] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - Hunter to Kennedy's
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
869       imageFrom Hunter & Co.'s El Dorado County Express, California. Printed straight line of text (HUN-401) at upper right edge of cover that entered the mails with "Sacramento City, Cal 14 Aug" red-orange postmark with matching "10" handstamp buff cover to Athens, Green Co., N. York, cover with wrinkling at both the right and left edges & couple minor defects at right, still Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS HUNTER'S IMPRINTED COVER - AN OUTSTANDING COVER FOR THE SPECIALIST. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
870       imageHunter & Co.'s / Express. Red company handstamp (HUN-100) on buff cover originating from Maine to Sacramento, Cal., postmarked "Waldoboro Me 9 Oct" cds with "10" manuscript rate marking; additional "Hunter & Co. Express" Running Pony oval (HUN-101) with routing to "Eldorado Slide" manuscript applied by Hunter's in Sacramento as well as "1.35" rate marking ($1.25 express fee plus 10¢ postage); cover silked with professional edge restoration, handsome Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF THIS HUNTER'S HANDSTAMP IN RED (OTHERS KNOWN IN BLACK AND BLUE) AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THIS COMBINATION OF EXPRESS HANDSTAMPS.

Alexander Hunter was the principal proprietor of the first of the two Hunter & Co.'s Expresses, announced as a new express on Feb 5, 1851, serving the mining camps on the South, Middle, and North Forks of the American River. Hunter's connected with at first with Gregory's Express and later with Adams & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter left the firm in the spring of 1852 and departed for the Eastern States. The Jul 30, 1852 Sacramento Union noted Hunter's return from the East, but also stated that eight individuals (none from the original company) were co-partners under the name of Hunter & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter became their agent at Placerville, and was the de-factor Wells, Fargo & Co. agent there as well. Hunter & Co.'s Express sold out to Wells, Fargo & Co., as announced in the Jul 15, 1854 Placerville Mountain Democrat, effective Jul 1, 1854. (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
871       imageHunter & Co.'s Express. Blue company handstamp (HUN-100) on buff cover originating with manuscript postmark "Spencerburg, Mo April 1" and "40" rate to Sacramento, with "via New York" at lower left, 40¢ postage due advertised at Sacramento City with their postmark and red "Adv'd" (advertised handstamp) where turned over to Hunter's with their "1.70" manuscript rate marking at left ($1.30 express fee and 40¢ postage due) for delivery to "Spanish Bar" manuscript at bottom; cover with wear & edge restoration, Fine, believed to be the earliest type of Hunter's handstamp, ex-Whitington.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
872       imageHunter & Co.'s Express. Black Running Pony company oval (HUN-101) on cover to Sacramento City, postmarked "San Francisco, Cal 28 Feb" cds with "5" rate handstamp, picked up by Hunter's Express and routed to "El Slide" (Eldorado Slide) with "1.25" manuscript express rate, ink smudge on San Francisco postmark, cover wrinkles & corner wear, otherwise Extremely Fine, a sharp strike of the Hunter's running pony oval.
Estimate; $400 - 600. (Image1)

Est. $400-600
Selling for...$475.00
Will close during Public Auction
873       imageJones & Russel's Pike's Peak Express Co., Leaven'th City, Jul 25, 1859. Near perfect strike of black circular datestamp (Thomas RMW-100a); cover entered the mails with manuscript postmark "Manheim Center [New York] July 18" with 1857 3¢ dull red (26, defective) on cover addressed to "Hannibal Snell, Aurora, Kanzus Territory", original letter enclosed mostly of a personal nature and datelined "Sunday, July 17 1859"; cover cleaned and some professional edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, ex-Persson & Beall.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE LEAVENWORTH CITY HANDSTAMP FROM JONES AND RUSSELL'S EXPRESS.

It is interesting to note that the handstamp Express marking shows the outer rim of the device, which shows breaks in the rim and appears to just cancel the adhesive. (Image1)

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
874       imageJones & Russel's Pike's Peak Express Co. Denver City Mar 22 1860. Black circular datestamp (Thomas RMW-100) entered the mails with partly clear "Leavenworth City, K.T. Mar 30 1860" black cds tying 1857 3¢ dull red (26) on orange cover to Illinois, with sender's directive at lower left "PP and Leavenworth Express"; light corner wear at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

While still operating the Leavenworth City & Pikes Peak Express, Jones and Russell purchased the John Hockaday line, which had the government mail contract to Salt Lake City via the Platte River. Eventually, this led to the termination of the Republican River-Fort Riley route used by the Leavenworth City & Pikes Peak Express. Jones & Russell's express operated from July 1859 to February 1860, charging 25¢ per letter. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
875       imageKennedy's Express PAID. Blue and red printed frank (Thomas KNN-001) on cover franked with 3¢ 1869 issue (114) cancelled by blue cork killer with matching blue double circle "Blackfoot City Mont. Feb 19" postmark at left, a few very minor toned spots which do not detract from this rarity, Extremely Fine and choice, with 2011 P.F. Certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXPRESS COMPANY AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MONTANA TERRITORIAL COVERS EXTANT.

Thomas' book notes that Kennedy's Express operated from 1868-1869 and that it "was a small express that operated between Blackfoot City and Lincoln Gulch, Montana Territory. It connected with the Merrimar & Chamberlain Stage Line at Blackfoot." (Image1)

Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - Langton's to Patterson
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
876       imageLangton's Express Downieville Apr 20. Black oval company handstamp (LAN-111) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire with Langton's Pioneer Express printed frank (LAN-003) to San Francisco, exchanged with "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Marysville" gothic lettering handstamp in blue; slight corner wear at left, minor backflap damage, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
877       imageLangton's Humboldt Express. Orange cover with printed "Agent of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express" envelope with "Oroville" address written in with blue oval "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville, Jun 20" handstamp, at top left is contemporary manuscript notations "50 Humboldt Stamps, less one put on letter as order" and "Price reduced to 10¢" at lower left, included is manuscript cancelled 25¢ Humboldt Express adhesive (86L1), four clear margins, sealed tear, Very Fine, a fascinating item with an order for the Humbolt Express Stamps, worthy of further research.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
878       imageLangton's Pioneer Express, Downieville. Large blue company oval (LAN-100) on 3¢ pink entire with printed black company frank (LAN-002)to San Francisco; "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Sep 9" double oval handstamp as exchange marking, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
879       imageLangton's Pioneer Express, Downieville. Bold black circular company handstamp (Thomas LAN-105), conjunctive use with "Pacific Express Marysville" large blue double-oval company handstamp (Thomas PAC-108) franked with 1851 3¢ dull red (11), which may or may not be original, on brown legal size cover to Sacramento; Langton's carried this from Downieville to Marysville, exchanged it with Pacific Express at that point for delivery to Sacramento; additional partial Langton & Bros Yuba River Express California green floral type design on backflap (Thomas LAN-440), with only about 20% showing due to backflap damage, cover silked with some expert restoration, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
880       imageLangton's Pioneer Express Downieville. Red company oval (LAN-100f) on 1860 3¢ Star Die entire with Langton's printed frank (LAN-002) to Carson City, Nevada Territory; original enclosure "Downieville Sept 17" but without year date, interesting letter reads in part "Telegraph says Jeff Davis is dead. Rather too good to be true."; neatly reduced at right slightly, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

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.