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Sale 101: The Westpex Sale

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Eastern Expresses - Fiske & Co's to Henderson's

Lots 1116-1125 Lots 1126-1135 Lots 1136-1144

Lot 1126    

Forwarded by Gay & Co's Express, black on red express label, affixed to flap of December 26th 1846 folded letter from Providence R.I. to New York City, endorsed "Gays Express", "$176.66" money letter endorsement; vertical file fold wear, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $350

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Lot 1127    

Gay's Express From Boston, two black on yellow express label (Mosher GYSX-L10) uses, first tied by file crease with New York City address rewritten as "70 Wall" below label on Jan. 19th 1846 gray folded letter from Providence R.I. to New York City; second with label having address updated with "70" on label, used on Feb. 2nd 1846 gray folded letter from Wiscasset, Me. to New York City; some wear and soiling, F.-V.F. and scarce express label pair.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

This small express delivery company was founded by James Gay. Gay began his career in express delivery as an agent for Harnden's Express. In early 1840, he began his own express route, delivering packages between Boston and New York. Gay partnered with Warren Studley and Erastus Littlefield in New York. Gay acted as the messenger from Boston to New York, while Studley traveled in the opposite direction.

In 1845, his small express became Gay & Co., although the "Gay's Express" name was still used for some time afterward. In 1846, Gay & Co. expanded, adding a line to Rhode Island. Within a few years, the company was expanded again, becoming Gay, Kinsley & Co.

Realized: $280

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Lot 1128    

Forwarded by [Gay] Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express, black on light blue label with "Gay" cut out after he left the express, on reverse of folded letter datelined "Fall River (Mass.) Jun. 20, 1851" to New York, manuscript "pr Gay, Kinsley & Co. Exps" endorsement at bottom left; some restored fold splitting at upper right and stain removal, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare provisional Kinsley & Co's express label usage, ex-Hahn, Morris; with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

In 1850, Gay departed to form Gay & Co. Express in New England, while Kinsley & Co. remained in Philadelphia.

Realized: $350

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Lot 1129    

Forwarded by Gay, Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express, black on yellow label with office addresses and transportation vignettes, tied by ink smudge on blue folded letter datelined "Fall River Mass. Nov. 3, 1849" to New York City street address, manuscript "$5.00 Enclosed" and "pr Kinsleys Express", Very Fine and choice, ex-Gibson, Hahn.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $400

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Lot 1130    

Forwarded by Gay, Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express, black on dark blue express label with steamboat and locomotive illustrations, used on Oct. 1849 docketed folded letter to New York City street address, manuscript "Ex 2/" rating for 25¢ express fee, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Gay, Kinsley & Co. began an express between Boston, New York and Philadelphia in about 1848. Gay left in 1850 and the firm of Kinsley & Co. merged into Adams Express in 1854.

Realized: $270

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Lot 1131    

Gay, Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express, black on vermilion express label with steamboat and railroad vignettes, some oxidizing, used in conjunction with black on yellow "Eagle City Post" label on printed March 25, 1850 circular for 51st New York Trade Sale to Philadelphia Pa., red large "PAID" handstamp and pencil street address, Very Fine and rare conjunctive use.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $525

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Lot 1132    

J.W. George & Co. Lawrence Express, black on orange label, used on buff cover with March 22nd 1859 letter from Lawrence Mass. to Webster House, Boston Mass., manuscript "Paid 12" express rate, endorsed "Delivery Early", F.-V.F.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $130

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Lot 1133    

J.W. George & Co.'s Lawrence Express, 32 Court Square, black on orange express label, slightly oxidized, used on circa 1862 cover bearing 3¢ rose (65), bright color, tied by target cancel duplexed with "New-York, Dec 11" cds to Boston Mass., pencil "Paid" and "Care of J.L. Partridge Esq., Lawrence"; no flap and edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE 1861 ISSUE POSTAL USE FROM NEW YORK CITY TO BOSTON, FORWARDED BY EXPRESS TO LAWRENCE.

Realized: $600

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Lot 1134    

Gillett & Co.'s Newburyport Express., black on orange label, used on cover to Boston Mass., manuscript "Paid" endorsement, pencil street address, Very Fine, ex-Beane.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $190

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Lot 1135    

Gillett & Co's, Successors to Forbes' Newburyport Express, Railroad Exchange, black on vermilion express label, used on light buff cover to Newburyport Mass., pencil "Paid" endorsement; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $230

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Lots 1116-1125 Lots 1126-1135 Lots 1136-1144

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