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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 - Southern Mines continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3241     REY-100 imageForwarded by Renolds & Co. Express. Oval handstamp on orange cover with red "Boston Mass., May 21" cds and matching "40" rating handstamp to "Chips" Hodgskins at Stockton Cal., endorsed "Mormon Gulch, Southern Mines" at bottom left, pencil "Gone Home" at left, Very Fine.
Thomas No. REY-100; Estimate $500 - 750.

Angervine Reynolds formed an express along with A.S. Reynolds and J.P.D. Wilkins. This express operation ran from Stockton into the southern mines. They connected with Todd & Company for transportation to San Francisco and with Adam & Company for the Eastern States and Europe. Starting in 1851, they also began connecting with Gregory's Express. In 1851, Reynolds combined with Todd's and A.S. Reynolds left the company. The new express was called Reynolds, Todd & Co.'s Express. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction
3242     RTO-101 imageForwarded by Reynolds Todd & Co Express, Stockton. Large blue oval handstamp with matching "Collect" straightline on folded letter datelined "Stockton 8th Dec 1851" to San Francisco Cal., fresh and Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. RTO-101; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

The express operations of Reynolds & Co. and A.H. Todd & Co. joined forces in the fall of 1851 to form Reynolds, Todd & Co. This express ran from the southern mines to Stockton and into San Francisco. They connected with Gregory's Express, but turned to Adams & Co. shortly before selling out to Charles Todd (no relation) in April 1852, forming the new company Todd's Express. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
3243 *    TOD-100 imageTodd & Bryan's Express. Shield handstamp on blue folded letter datelined from "Sonora, June 18th 1850" to San Jose Cal., manuscript "Berford & Co Express" and matching "$1.00" rating, Very Fine, WC4180. One of only 8 recorded examples of this express handstamp., ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. TOD-100; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A SCARCE TODD & BRYAN AND BERFORD & CO. CONJUNCTIVE EXPRESS USE.

In July 1849, Alexander Todd began an express that was based in Stockton. He serviced the southern mining areas, and carried into San Francisco. In February 1850, he took in Benjamin Bryan as a partner as business was more than he could individually handle. They connected with Berford for correspondence to San Jose. Bryan's would sell out as a partner in July 1850. Todd and silent partner E.W. Colt formed into Todd and Company that ran over the same route.

Todd & Bryan's operation ranks as the first express with handstamp markings, and is considered to be one of the earliest gold rush express operations to penetrate into the interior mining area of California. (Image1)		 Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3244     TOC-100 imageTodd & Co., Express. Clear sharp strike of shield handstamp on blue cover with red "Boston Mass., Nov 23" cds and matching bold "40" rating to Carsons Creek, Calaveras County, Cal., endorsed "Todd & Cos Express From San Francisco", additional "A" handstamp may indicated advertised, pencil "2.00" express rate at center; some minor edge restoration, Very Fine.
Thomas No. TOC-100; Estimate $400 - 600.

Alexander H. Todd began operating in late July 1849 as a one man express service between San Francisco and Stockton and from there into the southern mines. Benjamin L. Bryan joined as a partner in December 1850 and E.W. Colt as a silent partner shortly thereafter. After Bryan's departure in July 1850, Todd and Colt formed Todd and Company's Express. E.W. Colt operated out of Stockton and serviced the southern mines through merchant agents, while A.H. Todd anchored the operation in San Francisco. In San Francisco they connected with Adams & Co. and in Sacramento Hawley & Co. (Image1)		 Est. $400-600
SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction
3245       imageTodd's Express. Two covers from same correspondence, first with manuscript "pr Todd's Express" endorsement on orange cover to George Graham, Tuttletown near Sonora, Cal.; second with blue "Forwarded by Todd's Express, San Francisco" oval handstamp (TOE-100) and matching "NOT PAID" double octagon (TOE-201b) on blue 1852 folded letter to George Graham, Tuttletown near Sonora, Cal., Very Fine, ex-Tahoe.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Charles A. Todd purchased all of the assets of the assets of Reynolds, Todd & Co. He continued to service the southern mines from his offices in San Francisco and Stockton. He then started to make inroads into the northern mining area. At first he exchanged with Gregory's Express, and then later shared an office with Wells Fargo in San Francisco. He sold his operation to Wells Fargo in September 1853. (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $300-400
SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction
3246     TOE-104 imageFrom Todds. Express, Office Sonora. Sharp strike of blue tombstone handstamp and matching "PAID" double-oval handstamp on orange buff cover to J.W. Mandeville of Assembly, Benicia Cal., Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. TOE-104; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $230.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - California - Southern Expresses
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3247     BUK-100 imageBuckley's Express. Blue rectangular handstamp frank and conjunctive printed Wells Fargo & Co. frank on 3¢ green (U163) entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, May 19" oval datestamp to San Francisco Cal., ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Thomas No. BUK-100; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

This was a stage company operated by William Buckley that provided some type of letter service between Bakersfield and Lone Pine. It provided service to the mines and claims along the Kern River, the Coso mining area in Owens Valley and the mines at Panamint. (Image1)		 Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction
3248     MED-100 imageMead & Davis Letter Express. Blue double-oval handstamp on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Express, Visalia" oval handstamp to San Francisco Cal.; some edge restoration and flap replaced, Very Fine appearance, a scarce conjunctive use, Thomas WC2049, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. MED-100; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE MEAD & DAVIS LETTER EXPRESS HANDSTAMP.

Mead & Davis operated out of Visalia in an area between Visalia and Havilah. They connected with Wells Fargo at Visalia. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - California - San Francisco Based (Adams to Pacific)
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
3249 *    ADA-001a imageAdams & Co. Printed Over Our California and Coast Routes frank at left on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire with manuscript "Don Pedro's Bar, Aug. 24th Cal." postmark to San Francisco Cal.; backflap with some adhesive staining and couple tears, small edge tear at bottom, Very Fine, ex-Lyons.
Thomas No. ADA-001a; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF ONLY SEVEN RECORDED ADAMS & CO. PRINTED FRANKS, ONLY TWO OF WHICH ARE PRINTED AT THE LEFT SIDE.

The Adams & Company's printed paid franks were produced in 1853, making them the earliest franks actually printed on envelopes or stamped entires. Their function was to facilitate the deposit of mail in letter boxes after the normal business hours of the express, or in lieu of waiting in line during normal hours similar to prestamped mail. There are a total of seven printed Adams & Co. franks in three slightly different formats on plain envelopes (two printed vertically at left), both stamped and stampless, and on the 3¢ Nesbitt entire. (Image1)		 Est. $3,000-4,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
3250     ADA-101e imageAdams & Co., Grass Valley, April 5. Sharp strike of red oval datestamp on blue folded letter datelined "Grass Valley, April 4 1854" to Tandler & Co., San Francisco, endorsed as enclosing draft, Very Fine.
Thomas No. ADA-101e; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)		 Est. $300-400
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction
3251       imageAdams & Co., Sacramento, Aug 11. Blue double-circle datestamp on light buff cover to San Francisco Cal. with "Miner's Coat of Arms" illustrated Barber & Baker design showing miner and bear hold up cross with various miner implements; some edge tears and wear, Very Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.
Estimate; $1,200 - 1,500.

ONE OF THE FINEST OF ONLY TWELVE EXAMPLES OF THIS SCARCE DESIGN RECORDED BY KUTZ.

Until its failure in the financial panic of February 1855, Adams & Co. Express was one of the largest and most successful express companies in California. One of its strongest hubs was Sacramento City. (Image1)		 Est. $1,200-1,500
SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
3252     ANT-100 imageAnthony & Co's, Northern Express, Paid. Wonderful strike of oval frank handstamp on orange buff cover to San Francisco Cal., pencil "X" marking, Very Fine and choice.
Thomas No. ANT-100; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THE ANTHONY & CO'S NORTHERN EXPRESS OVAL.

This express operated between San Francisco, Benicia, Sacramento and the Northern Mines. It had an office in Sacramento and may have carried the mail only as far as Marysville and Nevada City. (Image1)		 Est. $500-750
SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction
3253       imageBamber & Co's Express. Printed ribbon frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire to San Francisco Cal., printed "Ehrman & Bachman, General Store, Mission San Jose, Cal." corner card; small edge tear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

By 1858, John J. Bamber had consolidated R.T. Lockwood's Contra Costa Express, W.F. Herre's Contra Costa Express and Hoag & Co. Express under the heading of Bamber & Co. and began operating throughout the eastern bay area of present day Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. He exchanged with Wells Fargo & Co. at San Francisco. Bamber & Co. sold out to Whitney & Co. on December 31, 1873. (Image1)		 Est. $100-150
SOLD for $160.00
Will close during Public Auction
3254     BAM-105 imageJ. Bamber & Cos. Contra Costa Express, W.K. Bacon's, Oakland Office, Paid. Bold strike of oval handstamp on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to San Francisco Cal., endorsed "P.D.G., B & H"; some edge wear, Very Fine, WC0980.
Thomas No. BAM-105; Estimate $400 - 600.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS J. BAMBER & CO. OAKLAND OFFICE OVAL. (Image1)		 Est. $400-600
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction
3255     BAM-005 imageJ. Bamber & Cos. Express, Bacon & Hardy, Oakland Office. Shaded frank on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire cancelled by blue J. Bamber & Cos. Express, S.F., Dec 20" double-circle datestamp to San Francisco; small edge tear and no flap, Very Fine.
Thomas No. BAM-005; Estimate $200 - 300. (Image1)		 Est. $200-300
SOLD for $290.00
Will close during Public Auction
3256     U42a imageBamber & Co's Express. Printed frank at left of legal-size 12¢ lake & brown on buff (U42a) mint entire, Very Fine.
Scott No. U42a; $1,250; Estimate $300 - 400. (Image1)		 Scott $1,250
Est. $300-400
SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction
3257     11L1, 11L2 (2), 11L4 imageBerford & Co.'s Express, 1851, 3¢ black, 6¢ green, 25¢ red. One 3¢ black, two 6¢ green singles and one 25¢ red, each cut to oval shape, used to pay 40¢ rate on cover from New York N.Y. addressed to "Capt. Walter Taber, Ship Louisiana, Paita", endorsed "By Express" at lower left, faint pencil docketing on front "Dated August 3, 1852, Received August 30, 1852", cover originated in New York City and was sent by Berford's to Panama where red "Forwarded By Wm. Nelson & Co. Panama" forwarding agent's framed handstamp was applied on backflap, docketed "Augt. 28, 1852" twice on front, once tying a 6¢ stamp, note on reverse in same hand reads "If not in Tambez [Tumbes, Peru] Dr. Oakford will please return this pr first opprty & oblige. Yours truly, A Bathurst, Paita, Aug. 28, 1852, I mean if Cap. Taber has been in and sailed", based on pencil Aug. 30 receipt notation on front, the letter reached Captain Taber in Tumbes; flaps opened and top refolded to flatten both 6c stamps that were affixed over top edge, Fine, ex-Chapman, Mason, Horner, Golden and "DK", with 1983 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 11L1, 11L2 (2), 11L4; Estimate $50,000 - 75,000.

A REMARKABLE THREE-VALUE BERFORD & CO EXPRESS FRANKING FOR THE 40¢ RATE TO THE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 25¢ STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY TWO STAMPS ARE KNOWN.

Richard G. Berford and Loring L. Lombard operated the Berford & Co. letter-carrying business beginning in 1851. Berford & Co.'s Express primarily served the West Coast of North, Central and South America, but also advertised rates to Hawaii, Hong Kong and China. Although their letter and package express business was fairly large, the adhesive stamps for letter mail are rare. During the course of their operation, there were several bitter clashes with the government over their mail route. They sold out to Wells Fargo & Co. in June 1854.

There are only a handful of Berford & Co's Express stamps recorded for any value. There are four 3¢ (11L1) stamps recorded (two off-cover and two on-cover including the one offered here), seven 6¢ (11L2) and two 25¢ (11L4), there are only two recorded: one uncancelled off cover, ex Caspary, Lilly and Hall, and the stamp on this cover.

Four covers are recorded with Berford & Co. stamps paying the 40c rate from New York to the West Coast of South America. Berford's June 17th 1851 advertisement in the New York Herald announced the "New Postage Law" and included a "Table of Postage" listing this 40¢ prepaid rate to the west coast of South America. In the advertisement, the stamps (3¢, 10¢ and 25¢) are described and various rates are given effective July 1, 1851. Obviously, Berford's was acting in response to the U.S. government postage reforms of the same date.

The Louisiana noted in the address is probably the 1,056-ton screw-vessel registered in 1850 at New York City. (Image1)		 Est. $50,000-75,000
SOLD for $42,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
3258 *    34L4 imageCalifornia Penny Post Co., 1855, 5¢ blue. Usual close-cut margins to slightly in at top, uncancelled with small flaws and tiny ink mark, affixed on 10¢ green (U18) buff entire cancelled by "San Francisco Cal. 5 Jun" cds to Duxbury Mass., Very Fine, ex-Kuphal, Lyons, with 2015 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 34L4; Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE USE OF THE CALIFORNIA PENNY POST CO. 5¢ BLUE STAMP ON A 10¢ GREEN ENTIRE.

The 34L4 stamp is cataloged by Scott in combination with a 10¢ #14 stamp at $55,000. It is not listed on a 10¢ Nesbitt entire. (Image1)		 Est. $5,000-7,500
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
3259     34LU3a imageCalifornia Penny Post Co., 1855-59, 5¢ black on buff. Impressed on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire with printed directive at left, addressed to Messrs. Tandler & Co. in San Francisco, cancelled by blue "Penny Post Co., Sacramento" circular handstamp; soiling and wear, Fine.
Scott No. 34LU3a; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE SACRAMENTO CIRCULAR HANDSTAMP IN BLUE.

We offered the other recorded example of the Sacramento circular handstamp in blue in our Sale 45, lot 110, realized $8500 hammer. (Image1)		 Est. $3,000-4,000
SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction
3260     34LU7 imageCalifornia Penny Post Co., 1855-59, 7¢ vermilion. Impressed on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire addressed cancelled by blue "Monterey Cal., Oct 18" cds to San Francisco Cal., printed explanatory ad text at left listing eight cities and towns where service was offered, manuscript "recd from H.S. Goodwin at 12 O.Clock, Ans on the 20th Oct" who was the proprietor of the Penny Post Co.; tiny pinholes and small scuff, slightly reduced at top, Very Fine appearance, ex-Knapp, Meroni, Boker, Hawley, Kuphal, Walske.
Scott No. 34LU7; $1,750.

Genuine used examples of this entire are extremely rare with 16 entires reported in the Lyons census in July 2005 Penny Post. Remainders were used to create forged Wells Fargo express usages. One of the fascinating aspects of this issue is that both the Penny Post oval and 3c U.S. stamp were embossed in the same color by George F. Nesbitt. (Image1)		 Scott $1,750

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

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