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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...

Western Express - California - San Francisco Based - Overland Pony Express
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3321   image(Russell, Majors and Waddell) Pony Express, 1858 (Jan. 16) Tabular Statement for Military Stores to be Paid to Russell, Majors and Waddell. Original handwritten copy of folio-size contract reading "Schedule of Prices per Hundred Pounds per Hundred Miles to be paid to Russell, Majors and Waddell, Contractors for Transportation of Military Stores and Supplies, under arrangement between Maj. Gen'l Thos. S. Jessup, Qr Ms Gen'l U.S.A." and with a tabular listing transportation rates for three routes: "To Fort Kearney and intermediate posts"; "Fort Laramie and posts beyond Ft Kearney"; and "Great Sate Lake City or Depot in Utah, and points beyond Laramie"; some separation along folds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The freighting and staging firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell, formed in 1854 to supply military posts in the American West and Southwest, played a significant role in the history of transportation in the Great Plains. Among the firm's achievements was the creation of the legendary Pony Express. The founding of Russell, Majors and Waddell was rooted in the U.S. Army's need for an efficient means of transporting military supplies between a new depot in Santa Fe and six new army posts in New Mexico Territory, all established at the end of the Mexican War in 1848. In 1854 the War Department decided the best way to efficiently supply these and other posts would be to award two-year contracts to private freighting companies. The quartermaster awarded the first of these contracts to the firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell, a partnership of William H. Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell, headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas. They also transported civilian freight on a large scale. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $525.00
Will close during Public Auction
3322 ()      imagePony Express, San Francisco. Red Running Pony oval handstamp along with matching "Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, San Francisco, Cal." red oval handstamp canceling 10¢ green (U18) rebacked front with red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank addressed to New London, Conn., endorsed "Pr Pony", clear strike of green "St. Joseph, Mo., Apr. 26" cds; the indicia and most of the printed frank have been replaced with portions of the markings expertly drawn in, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.

ONE OF THE FEW USAGES WITH THE PONY MARKINGS IN RED, A GORGEOUS USE. (Image1)		 Est. $10,000-15,000
SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - California - San Francisco Based - Virginia City Pony Express
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3323     143L7 imageWells, Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 10¢ brown. Large margins to touched at top left, bright and fresh, tied by "Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.T., Oct 19" oval datestamp on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire with printed Wells Fargo frank and preprinted address to Sol. Wangenheim, San Francisco; reduced slightly at left, minor edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Scott No. 143L7; Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.

A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WITH THE 10¢ BROWN VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS STAMP.

Solomon Wangenheim was an immigrant from Saxony, Germany, who was naturalized on April 30, 1855. He is listed as a merchant at 211 Powell in San Francisco as of July 25, 1866. (Image1)		 Est. $7,500-10,000
SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3324     143L8 imageWells, Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue. Full margins to touched, rich color, tied by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia Ct. N.T., Jun 10" oval datestamp, additional strike at right cancels 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire to Sacramento Cal., pencil "$2-" rating; some repaired edge flaws at top and flap mend, Very Fine appearance, ex-F.D.Roosevelt (backstamp).
Scott No. 143L8; $4,500. (Image1)		 Scott $4,500

SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
3325     143L9 imageWells, Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red. Large margins all around including right sheet, bright paper, tied by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.T., Jun 14" oval datestamp, additional strike at right cancels 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire to San Francisco Cal., pencil "Jun 17/64" arrival docketing; some edge wear with trivial corner flaw, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Scott No. 143L9; Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.

A CHOICE 25¢ RED VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE WELLS FARGO VIRGINIA CITY DATESTAMP. (Image1)		 Est. $7,500-10,000
SOLD for $6,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
3326     WIE-001 imageG.H. Wines & Co.'s Express, California, Paid. Spectacular eagle and shield design printed frank on 3¢ red (U10) buff entire cancelled by blue bold "Rhodes & Whitney's Express, Weaverville" oval and red "Pacific Express Co., Shasta, Jul 22" oval handstamps to San Francisco Cal.; cover with opening tear on back ending in a tear on front at bottom left corner, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Risvold.
Thomas No. WIE-001; Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

A STRIKING THREE COMPANY CONJUNCTIVE USE WITH G.H. WINES & CO'S EXPRESS, RHODES & WHITNEY'S EXPRESS AND PACIFIC EXPRESS CO.

G.H. Wines was based in San Francisco and ran into Sacramento. From these locations they extended into both the northern and southern mining areas of early California., and into Oregon through the use of other feeder expresses. They had offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and New York. They connected with the east coast through Nicaragua. (Image1)		 Est. $4,000-6,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - California - San Francisco Based - Northwest Expresses
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3327     BAK-100 imageF. W. Blake & Cos., Express, Weaverville. Blue double-line oval handstamp cancels 3¢ red (U10) Nesbitt buff entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, to Yreka Cal., pencil "1857"; minor edge wear; accompanied by a newspaper ad from the Trinity Journal Jul. 25, 1857 that shows Blake was still operating his Shasta-Weaverville express connecting with Wells Fargo after 1855, Very Fine, ex-Haas.
Thomas No. BAK-100; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Francis Wheeler Blake arrived in California in 1852 and in the fall of that year found employment at Rhodes & Lusk as their agent in Weaverville. By September of 1855, Rhodes & Lusk had become Rhodes & Co. About this time, Blake resigned and formed F.W. Blake & Co's Banking and Express. He initially ran from a base at Shasta City to Weaverville, but in October switched to a Weaverville base with a terminus at Shasta. While advertising that he connected with both Wells Fargo and Pacific Express at Shasta, he was closely aligned with Wells Fargo. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction
3328 ()    BRO-001 imageBrown & Maguire's Copper City Express. Printed rectangular frank on 3¢ pink (U35) buff cover front with "Red Bluff, Cal, May 26" cds to Prairie P.O., Yolo Co., Cal.; faulty, Fine, Census #WC7670, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. BRO-001; Estimate $300 - 400.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE BROWN & MAQUIRE'S COPPER CITY EXPRESS FRANK.

It is believed that this express operated between Red Bluff and Copper City Cal. along the Yreka Road. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $230.00
Will close during Public Auction
3329       imageCram Rogers & Co. Express. Shasta. Clear strike of double-oval handstamp on cover from Philadelphia Pa. to Yreka City, Cal., clear strike of "Blood's Despatch, Oct 29, 10½ A.M." cds and acid tied Bloods, 1¢ blue & pink on bluish (15L15) at upper left, entered mails with blue "Philadelphia Pa. '10' Oct 29" integral due cds, Very Fine and choice, with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.

A REMARKABLE TRIPLE-CONJUNCTIVE USE OF BLOOD'S PENNY POST, U.S. POST OFFICE AND CRAM, ROGERS & CO EXPRESS.

Cram, Rogers was the major express operator in North California and Southern Oregon during the early 1850s. The express was formed from a conglomerate of a number of smaller express companies that had operated in this area. They covered an enormous territory stretching from Crescent City on the coast to Jacksonville, Oregon and down through Yreka to Shasta and surrounds. (Image1)		 Est. $4,000-6,000
SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3330       imageCrooks' Express, Scotts River. Blue oval handstamp on buff cover to Yreka Cal., Very Fine and choice, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Estimate; $1,200 - 1,500.

AN EXCEPTIONAL STRIKE OF THE CROOK'S EXPRESS SCOTTS RIVER OVAL.

A.D. Crook ran an express service from Yreka to the mines along the Scott and Klamath Rivers. (Image1)		 Est. $1,200-1,500
SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3331     DUG-400 imageDugan & Wall, Express, Forwarding & Commission Merchants, Crescent City, Cal. Printed double-oval on buff cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26), small flaws, tied by "San Francisco Cal., Jan 19, 1859" cds to Sacramento Cal.; some edge wear and flap tear, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. DUG-400; Estimate $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS PRINTED DUGAN & WALL EXPRESS FRANK.

Richard Dugan and Joe Wall operated from California's northern sea port at Crescent City serving Northern California and southern Oregon. At first they relied on Nichol's Express and Freeman Express to connect them by water to San Francisco. From Crescent City they connect overland with Johnson Express for service into southern Oregon. In December 1859, Wells Fargo replaced Nichols and Freeman as a connecting partner. They concentrated on serving Northern California and Southern Oregon as a package and parcel carrier. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction
3332     GRT-100 imageGreathouse & Slicer, Yreka, Connecting with Wells Fargo & Co. Sharp strike of blue octagon handstamp cancels 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to San Francisco Cal.; small edge flaw at left and torn flap, Very Fine and rare handstamp, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. GRT-100; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

George, Henry and Ridgley Greathouse started by operating a pack line express service between Shasta, California and Callahan's Rancho in Siskiyou County, Cal. They were soon into banking, and a stage service that supported an express and passenger service. With the addition of Hugh Slicer as a partner in late 1855, they expanded the state/express business throughout Northern California and into Oregon and Idaho. They became the Yreka agents for Wells, Fargo & Co. From the Shasta Courier of December 22, 1855: Greathouse and Slicer were "now prepared to run a Daily Express from our office in Yreka to all parts of California and Oregon, connecting at Shasta with Wells, Fargo & Co.". (Image1)		 Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
3333     GRH-001 imageGreenhood & Newbauer Northern Express. Printed paid frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by scarab cancel and matching "Weaverville Cal." cds to San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F., ex-Pearce.
Thomas No. GRH-001; Estimate $150 - 200.

In late 1856, Herman Greenhood and Joseph Newbauer started an express operation from a base in Weaverville. They assumed Rhodes & Whitney's assets in early 1857. In the following year they purchased Rowe Express. The consolidation of the feeder expresses into Weaverville along with the establishment of a bank and a connection to Wells Fargo at Shasta, gave them control over the express business in Trinity County. This forced their competitor Blake's Express to close their Weaverville office in January 1859 and Wells Fargo switched all support. Further expansion gained penetration into the Trinity River area and as far northwest as Humboldt Bay area. In August 1867, the Greenhood & Newbauer banking business failed, taking the express operation with it, which business Grant I. Taggart's Stage operation quickly took over. (Image1)		 Est. $150-200
SOLD for $120.00
Will close during Public Auction
3334     GRH-100 imageGreenwood & Newbauer Express, Weaverville, Cal. Blue double-oval handstamp and manuscript "May 21" cancels 3¢ red (U9) Nesbitt entire to San Francisco Cal., printed "Greenhood & Newbauer frank (GRH-001), conjunctive strike of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Sac. Messenger, May 28" oval datestamp; some edge wear and reduced slightly at left, Very Fine and scarce conjunctive use, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. GRH-100; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction
3335     GRH-100 imageGreenwood & Newbauer Express, Weaverville, Cal. Sharp strike of black double-oval on 3¢ red (U10) Nesbitt buff entire to San Francisco Cal., printed "Greenhood & Newbaner" error frank (GRH-002), manuscript "Mar 16/59" dating; upper right corner tear, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Bauer.
Thomas No. GRH-100; Estimate $150 - 200. (Image1)		 Est. $150-200
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction
3336       imageHorn's Yreka, Fort Jones and Scott River Tri-Weekly Express. Violet cigar band shaped paid frank handstamp used in conjunction with printed Wells Fargo & Co. paid frank on 3¢ green (U164) entire cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co's, Fort Jones" oval datestamp to San Francisco Cal., Chinese character endorsements; small top edge tear and small part of flap missing, Very Fine, ex-Clifford.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

Dave Horn began operating an express in the mid 1870s between Fort Jones and Yreka. This express serviced the mining area along the Scott River and connected with Wells Fargo at Yreka and Fort Jones. (Image1)		 Est. $1,500-2,000
SOLD for $1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
3337     PRI-001 imagePrindles Express, From Yreka to Scott & Klamath Rivers. Clear strike of double-oval handstamp on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire cancelled by blue "Wells' Fargo & Co., Yreka, Jun 20" oval datestamp to Dalles Oregon, printed Wells Fargo paid frank; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. PRI-001; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Charles W. Prindles ran from Yreka to the Scott & Klamath River Mines. In 1863, he purchased Chase's Indian Creek operation and during the life of this express he had several partners. He connected with Wells Fargo at Yreka. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
3338     RHW-100 imageRhodes & Whitney's Express, Weaverville. Blue oval handstamp on buff cover to Gills Flat, North Salsman, Cal.; small burnt notch out of top, F.-V.F. and scarce, ex-Tatham.
Thomas No. RHW-100; Estimate $300 - 400.

James H. Rhodes sold his express operation to his uncle Jesse Rhodes and his partner Cornelius Whitney in July 1855. They operated in Northern California advertising they ran from Sacramento to Marysville, Shasta, Weaverville, Scott Bar and Crescent City. From Weaverville, they extended as far north as Yreka and had an office in Jacksonville Ore. They connected and cross-partnered with G.H. Wines & Co. as Whitney was a partner in both companies, connecting at Sacramento. Wines sold out in December 1855, and the firm would fail in 1857 with Greenhood & Newbauer assuming the remaining property. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction
3339     RHW-100 imageRhodes & Whitney's Express, Weaverville. Sharp bold strike of blue double-oval frank handstamp with matching "Paid" double-oval handstamp on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to San Francisco Cal., red "Pacific Express Co., Shasta, Sep 9" oval datestamp; minor edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. RHW-100; Estimate $500 - 750. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction
3340     ROW-100 imageRowe & Co, Weaver. Choice strike of oval Weaverville Cal. handstamp on legal-size orange cover to Sacramento Cal., conjunctive strikes of red "Pacific Express Co., Shasta, Jun 16" and blue "Pacific Express Co., Marysville, Jun 17" oval datestamps, Extremely Fine and attractive combination use of three office markings from two express companies, Thomas WC6632, Illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex-Haas, Edwards.
Thomas No. ROW-100; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ROWE & CO. OVAL.

This express is believed to have operated between Shasta and Weaverville. It connected with Pacific Express in Shasta and may have connected with Blake's Express at Weaverville. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $1,450.00
Will close during Public Auction

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