Lot 3232 *
Hunter & Co's. Express, clear strike of double-oval with left facing horse and rider with manuscript "M. Bar" (Murderers Bar) and "1.25" express rating on orange buff cover with blue "Fairfield Ct. Dec 25" Christmas Day cds and manuscript "10" rating to Sacramento City Cal.; no back flap, Very Fine and unusually clear strike, ex-Emerson.Thomas No. HUN-101 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCELLENT STRIKE OF THIS INTRICATE EARLY EXPRESS MARKING.
Alexander Hunter, one of the early pioneer express men, started by running as a single man pick up service. From this operation he quickly expanded into a service running between Sacramento and Placerville, and Sacramento and Mormon Island. From Mormon Island and Placerville, his operation would finger out to service most of the mining camps and river bars on the south, middle and north forks of the American River. Hunter connected at first with Gregory's Express and later Adams & Co. In 1854, facing increasing competition, he started to sell off pieces of his operation including offices to Adams & Co., and then the entire operation to Wells Fargo and became their agent at Placerville.