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Sale 41: Western Postal History

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10 Select Items

Lot 63

(Photos) Coloma Stores, 1849-50. Rare half plate daguerreotype in velvet lined case showing one of the first stores in Coloma, the site of first gold discovered, store shown is a ramshackle building with cloth roof and sign, with small near contemporary label attached on upper right corner "My shanty store cloth roof built April 1849, My new store corner Perry St. built by my brother Fred in 1850. J.F. Bekeart"; mirror-like finish but easily seen at correct angle, with post-1949 note from relative Phil. K. Beckeart regarding original note by J. Francois (Frank) Bekeart, daguerreotype in unusually nice condition, Very Fine.
Estimate    $10,000 - 15,000.

For centuries the Nisenan Indians went about their day to day lives in the Cullomain Village in the plush and abundant Cullumah Valley. On January 24, 1848, their world, as well as the rest of the world, changed forever. James Marshall hired by John Sutter to build a lumber mill and supply materials for Sutter's dream empire "New Helvetia" discovered gold in the tailrace of the new mill.

Jules Francois Bekeart was a gunsmith who came to Coloma in 1849 to mine gold and soon became a friend of James Marshall. The hard labor of gold mining was not to his liking, so "Frank" Bekeart started a highly successful gunsmith business in a wood frame and canvas building near this site. A brick building was later constructed in 1852 after the wood building burned. It is thought to be Coloma's oldest structure.

Realized: $10,000

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Lot 64

(Photos) Mining Scene at Coloma in 1850. Rare quarter plate + in size daguerreotype in velvet lined case showing group of Miners including Chinese Mine Workers With Pans, Log Tom and what appears to be a Rocker, a rare mixed group shot, with note attached to inside velvet on Phil. B. Bekeart letterhead reading "Mining Gold at Coloma (Sutters Mill) California about 1850-51, The center figure - with shovel is Martin Allhoff of Coloma - This presented to Phil B. Bekeart by Martin J. Allhoff - son of Martin Allhoff"; daguerreotype easily viewed, case hinge separated, Very Fine.
Estimate    $10,000 - 15,000.

Realized: $22,000

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Lot 38

(Ephemera) Russian-American Company 50k "Sealskin" Note. Ca. 1816-32, clear strong printing on front and reverse with manuscript serial number, natural horizontal bend just affecting top of printing, Very Fine and the only known example recorded by us, a wonderful example of this rare Russian American Company scrip, with an estimated 150 to 200 total pieces are believed to have survived, with many of the survivors housed in museums around the world leaving very few pieces available to private collectors.
Estimate    $5,000 - 7,500.

Russian American Company banknotes have been called "walrus or sealskin money" as some were printed on walrus skins, although most issues are found on parchment, issued from about 1816 until 1832. These tokens were issued at Baranov suggestion, "in order to facilitate settling accounts with the hunters, the board of directors sent the colonies parchment tokens{marki} with the governments permission. They were to take the place of money and were distinguished in color and shape according to their value-1, 5, 10 or 25 paper rubles, and 10, 25, or 50 kopeks. Baranov was ordered to pay the salary of each employee in the colonies with these tokens. Goods and supplies in the companies stores were to be sold in exchange for the tokens, with certain restrictions on alcoholic beverages (the sale of which was rationed) and luxury articles. On payday, when the tokens were distributed, company stores were to return the tokens they had received during that period. Forgers of the tokens were to be treated as criminals. The notes, known as "Kozhanye", circulated as far south as Fort Ross, which is just north of present day San Francisco.

Realized: $9,500

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Lot 611    

Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express/S.Frco./Feb. 6. Bold blue cds and matching "Paid" in oval handstamp on 1860 folded letter sheet addressed to New York City, franked with uncanceled Wells, Fargo & Co., 1861-70, black "To Be Dropped, in New York Post Office" adhesive (margins large to clear at top right), manuscript "per St. Sonora" ship notation at top, Extremely Fine and choice, Ex-Golden, Kuphal; with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 143LP1; $7,500    Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY'S "DROPPED IN NEW YORK POST OFFICE" STAMP, WHICH PREPAID THE EXPRESS RATE FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK.

The Scott Catalogue erroneously lists this stamp under "Newspaper Stamps" in the Wells, Fargo & Co. section. In fact, its real purpose was not to prepay newspaper charges, but to pay the express fee on letters carried by Wells, Fargo & Co. over their steamship route and "dropped in New York Post Office" as the stamp states. In this case, the letter was addressed to a local New York City firm and was probably delivered by or picked up from Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent.

There are only seven recorded examples of this rare adhesive, one on piece offered in the Golden sale and five off-cover stamps (including a stamp added to a cover, described as such in the Middendorf collection) and this unique cover.

Realized: $10,000

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Lot 11

(Autographs) Samuel Brannan. Merchant credited with starting the California Gold Rush by proclaiming the discovery of gold upon his return to San Francisco on May 12, 1848, autograph letter signed "S. Brannan", headed "New Helvetia" (Sutter's Fort) and dated "June 27, 1848", to Captain Edward H. Von Pfister in the "Coloma Mines" (one page on full sheet with address panel on the back, no postal markings), acknowledging a recent letter and stating "I have bought out Mr. [Charles C.] Smith (Brannan's business partner) and have the whole control of the business myself and have arrangements on foot that will give you regular supplies to keep up your stock.", also is a short postscript inviting Von Pfister to 4th of July celebration "at the fort" & signed "S.B.", few wrinkles & a bit soiled on the address panel page, Very Fine.
Estimate    $5,000 - 7,500.

Early in 1848, employees of John Sutter paid for goods in Brannan's store with gold they had found at Sutter's Mill, near Coloma, California. Brannan went to the mill and, as a representative of the LDS Church, he received the tithes of the LDS workers there from the gold they had found in their spare time. Brannan then purchased every shovel in San Francisco and ran through the streets yelling, "Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!"

Brannan had opened more stores to sell goods to the miners (his Sutter Fort store sold US$150,000 a month in 1849), and began buying land in San Francisco. At about this time, Brannan was accused of diverting church money, including collected tithes, to fund his private ventures. An LDS envoy was sent to Brannan and reportedly told them, "You go back and tell Brigham Young that I'bottom left give up the Lord's money when he sends me a receipt signed by the Lord.", although historians, such as Will Bagley have found this is likely just legend. Brannan was elected to the first town council of San Francisco and, after a series of sensational crimes in the area, helped organize the Committee of Vigilance, which functioned as a de facto police force. A squatter was murdered by the vigilante group and, although Brannan may not have pulled the trigger, he was considered the instigator and was subsequently disfellowshipped from the LDS Church for those vigilante efforts.

In 1851, Brannan visited Hawaii, and purchased large amounts of land in Honolulu. In 1853 he was elected to the California State Senate. He was involved in developing trade with China, financial agreements with Mexico, founding the Society of California Pioneers, and developing banks, railroads and telegraph companies. Brannan built the first incarnation of the famous Cliff House in San Francisco in 1858. In 1868 he was a member of the Robinson Trust that purchased Abel Stearns land in Los Angeles County.

After visiting the hot springs in Napa County in 1859, Brannan planned a resort and bought a tract of land and founded the village of Calistoga (said to be a combination of the words California and Saratoga). Brannan founded the Napa Valley Railroad Company in 1864 in order to provide tourists with an easier way to reach Calistoga from the ferry boats from San Francisco that docked in Vallejo. The railroad was sold at a foreclosure sale in 1869.

In 1872 Anna Eliza divorced Brannan. Brannan lost much of his personal fortune after his divorce. It was ruled that Brannan's wife was entitled to half of their holdings, payable in cash. Because the vast majority of Brannan's holdings were in real estate, he was forced to liquidate to pay the divorce settlement.

Following the divorce, he became a brewer, then developed a problem with alcohol. Forsaking the city he helped found, he drifted to San Diego, remarried and set up a small ranch near the Mexican border, where he engaged in land speculation with the Mexican government near Sonora. At the age of sixty-nine, he was paid the sum of forty-nine thousand dollars in interest from the government of Mexico. He quit drinking, paid all his debts and died without enough money to pay his own funeral.

Samuel Brannan died at the age of 70 in Escondido, California, on May 14, 1889.

This excerpt is taken from a monologue, GOLD RUSH MEMORIES OF A CALIFORNIA PIONEER: SAM BRANNAN, based on an interview published in the Sacramento Bee, January 21, 1888, which had been printed previously in the San Diego Union.

People have asked me for years; how did I find out (about the discovery of gold)? Some say I first heard about the gold discovery from my business partner, C.C. Smith, who received gold dust for a bottle of brandy from Jacob Wittmer, one of Sutter?s teamsters, who bought it at my Sutters Fort Store. ACTUALLY on Feb 8th it was at the store of Edward Von Pfister (addressee of this letter) in Benecia. He sailed on the Brooklyn with me from Honolulu to San Francisco. On that day, the supervisor of the sawmill, Charlie Bennett, a veteran of the 1st Dragoons, was sent to San Francisco to get title to the gold country for Sutter and Marshall. Charlie showed all of us several ounces of gold dust. I reported in my paper on March 18th that gold had been found in "considerable" quantities in the raceway of Sutter?s sawmill. The "Other" paper, The Californian reported it three days earlier. Again on March 25th, I wrote, "So great a quantity of gold taken from the mine recently found at New Helvetia, that is become an article of traffic in that vicinity.".

Realized: $9,000

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Lot 161    

(Solano) Benicia, Cal, April 29, ca 1850 (Pre-Statehood). Red straight line postmark (Williams SOL-90) on folded letter to San Francisco with manuscript "12½ " for Pacific coast rate during 40¢ rate period, tiny discoloration specks (not affecting marking), Extremely Fine, a classic California rarity, This cancel was only a temporary canceller known used for 6 months until the first cds arrived by May 1850. One of the finest known of the approximately 6 recorded.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

Realized: $1,700

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Lot 498    

California Penny Post Co., 1855-59, 7¢ vermilion. On 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, "Penny Post Co., Sacramento" circular handstamp alongside, printed listed of California Cities which the Penny Post Co. serviced, Very Fine and choice, a wonderful & rare California Penny Post Co. usage from Sacramento, ex Ackerman, Straley.
Scott No. 34LU7    Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 169    

(Utah Territory) G.S.L.C., Cal. Sep. 17/50. Manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 40" rate on folded letter to St. Louis, Mo., lengthy 3-page letter written by James Ferguson, sheriff of Salt Lake City, with interesting content: "I am just now liberated from the charge of a vagabond doctor whom I had arrested…", included is a lengthy article on Sheriff Ferguson detailing his colorful life, cover with wear along edges at top & bottom, Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF THE FEW EXAMPLES OF THIS EARLY MORMON POSTAL MARKING IN EXISTENCE. THIS SEPTEMBER 17, 1850, DATE IS EIGHT DAYS AFTER UTAH TERRITORY WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

The "GSLC Cal." manuscript postmark is recorded on very few covers mailed during the pre- and early territorial period. According to the American Stampless Cover Catalogue, the earliest is July 11, 1850, and the latest is July 23, 1850. This unrecorded September 17, 1850, date falls into the Utah territorial period, but the "Cal." designation remained in use, perhaps because news of territorial status had not yet reached the Mormon community. The 40¢ rate found on the "GSLC Cal." covers is much higher than the 10¢ rate charged for letters posted at Kanesville, Iowa. One theory is that these 40¢-rate letters were carried via Panama; another is that 40¢ represents the express charge for mail carried by the Mormon express. Congress did not fund the official mail route until 1850, and the first government contract mail left Independence Mo. for Salt Lake City in November 1850.

Realized: $2,900

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Lot 503    

Doherty & Martin (Halfmoon Face Design), Bay, Pescadero Express. Bold blue oval on 1861 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco with "Halfmoon Bay, Cal./Feb. 1, 1865" double cds, small bit of flap missing, Extremely Fine, The unique example of this Express on a cover (3 or 4 on pieces known), a gorgeous rarity, ex-Lichtenstein.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

Realized: $5,000

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Lot 508    

Robert Francis Express & News Agent/Gibsonville. Clear full strike of red oval handstamp at top center of cover to Volcano, Cal., with red and blue Flag & Cannon caricature patriotic design at left, franked with 1861, 10¢ dark green tied by "Gibsonville, Cal., Feb 5" cds, manuscript "No Delay" notation at bottom; faint toning, tiny edge nick at bottom and missing backflap, F.-V.F., a visually striking and premier Western Express cover.
Scott No. 68a    Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

Robert Francis first advertised his express in the Sacramento Union on Nov. 7th, 1859. He started alone, took in and dispensed with various partners, and finally finished alone, selling out to Holland and Morley's Express in May of 1862. During the winter months, Francis used "snowshoes" (skis in today's terminology) on his route, and when not engaged in expressing, he often entered the many snowshoe racing events held in the mining towns. At one such event at Sawpit Flat in 1869, Francis shot a rival during an argument. The man died, and Francis was tried and sentenced to San Quentin. Pardoned after serving 3 years, he returned to has native Canada.
Francis' headquarters during the approximately 2 ½ years that he ran his express was Gibsonville, where he also sold books, newspapers and stationary, and where he fashioned envelopes of the type included in this lot. Two such unused examples are known, each of which is the identical Patriotic design, and each of which bears the same pre-applied agent handstamp and the same pre-applied 10-cent adhesive (left uncancelled), as the cover included in this lot. When the need arose to employ such covers in his enterprise, Francis had them readily available at Gibsonville, and probably also at the secondary offices along his route. Evidently the individual who sent the cover in this lot was in such haste ("No Delay") that he cared not that he was overpaying 7 cents to send a letter requiring only 3 cents in postage, but such was Francis' prowess that most any expenditure probably would have been acceptable.

Realized: $18,000

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