Lot
1263 
Fargo & Co.'s Feather River Express, blue oval handstamp on embossed ladies cover addressed to Sacramento City, Cal., red "Farmington, Iowa, Jul 12" origin cds and matching "10" handstamped rating, with original enclosure and "Isthmus of Panama" newspaper clipping; soiled and stained, Fine, an extremely rare express handstamp, of which only a few examples known. Estimate $500 - 750.
Lot
1264
Fargo & Co.'s Feather River Express, clear crisp strike of blue oval handstamp on 1853 folded letter addressed to "California, North Fork Feather River, North of Sacramento City", partial "Vevay Ind. Feb 8" cds with manuscript. "10" rating, Very Fine, a wonderful strike of this extremely rare express handstamp, with only a few examples known. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Annon Fargo (no relation to Wells, Fargo & Co.) ran his express from Marysville, to Bidwell's Bar and other North Fork River Camps in 1852-53. We offered another example of this express handstamp in our April 2012 auction that realized $3,500 plus 15%.
The 1853 letter has some interesting mining content, "I sincerely hope you have realized your anticipations, though I fear the contrary, for the accounts we receive from California nearly all say that there have been exceedingly heavy rains, sweeping everything before them in the Mining Districts; It is also stated, that all kinds of provisions are exceedingly scarce & high, in so much that many are on the point of starvation, if this be the case, a Man must make several dollars per day to sustain himself with food only…".
Realized: $3,500
Lot
1265
Freeman & Co.'s Express, Angel's, strong black oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire, with red banner company frank, to "Mountain View", Santa Clara County, tiny edge tear at top and bit of staining, still Very Fine, an exceptional strike. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $230
Lot
1266
Freeman & Co.'s Express, Mok. Hill, blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with red scarcer type of ribbon company frank to Jamestown, Tuolumne Cty., bit of corner wear, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $150
Lot
1267
Freeman & Co.'s Express., Murphy's, clear full strike of oval handstamp on 1853 3¢ red entire to Moquelumne Hill, red ribbon printed frank; slight reduction at right, Extremely Fine, a choice usage from Murphy's. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $400
Lot
1268
Freeman & Co.'s Express, Panama, Cova & Cos. Agents, red oval fully struck on 1857 folded letter (part printed) from Panama to San Francisco, letter endorsed "Por vapor J.L. Stephens", Very Fine and choice, a lovely example of this rare Freeman Panama agent marking. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
1269
Freeman & Co.'s Express, Sac. Mess., blue dated handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, with red banner company frank, illustrated black "C.H. Holling Grocer" advert handstamp and 1859 docketing on reverse; reduced at left & some edge wear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Lot
1270
Freeman & Co., Sacramento, bold blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with scarcer type red ribbon company frank, to San Francisco, manuscript "value $5.00, Paid 25¢" money package notation, upper left corner repair and backflap tear, still Very Fine, a choice strike. Estimate $150 - 200.
Lot
1271
Forwarded By Freeman & C'os Express, San Francisco, nicely struck blue handstamp on 1851 folded letter to Sacramento City, vertical file fold and small tear at bottom, Very Fine, a scarce early Freeman marking. Estimate $150 - 200.
Lot
1272
Freeman & Co., Stockton, Aug. 2, blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with red printed frank and matching red printed corner card for "Bisagno Brothers, Dealers in Crockery, Glassware, Hardware, &c" in Stockton, to the Bisagno Brothers store in San Francisco, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.