Sale 108: The Westpex Sale

Lot 1053    

Adams & Co., Mormon Island, Express, complete sharp strike of oval handstamp (ADA-102a) on cover addressed to Mormon Island and forwarded to the Senate Chamber in Benicia, entered the mails with bold "San Francisco, Cal., Mar 25" cds and matching "5" rate handstamp; missing bottom flap, Very Fine and choice, rarely encountered so nice; with 2019 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $450

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Lot 1054    

Bamber & Co.'s Express (Antioch, Cal.), printed frank on 3¢ pink (U59) entire with blue "Antioch, Cal. Mar 11, 1870" double-circle datestamp to Martinez Cal., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, Mar 21" oval at left; reduced at left, light stain top right, Fine and scarce conjunctive use.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $110

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Lot 1055    

J. Bamber & Cos., Contra Costa Express, Paid, oval handstamp on 3¢ red (U10) Nesbitt buff entire to San Francisco, with manuscript "C" of Centerville at upper right and boxed "Answer By…" pointing hand handstamp, Very Fine and scarce use from Centreville.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $400

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Lot 1056    

Buckley's Express., Paid., blue framed handstamped frank (BUK-100) on 3¢ green entire, usual conjunctive usage with black printed Wells, Fargo & Co. frank to San Francisco, postmarked with blue "Darwin, Cal." cds, Chinese docketing at right, Very Fine and choice; with 2010 A.P.S. certificate.
Estimate    $600 - 800.

A very scarce combination express usage, Buckley's Express operated ca.1874-75 between Kernville and connecting at Bakersfield with Wells, Fargo & Co. and served the wild mining camps in sections of the Kern River, Owens Valley and Death Valley.

Realized: $725

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Lot 1057 ()   

Buckley's Express., Paid., blue box handstamp frank (BUK-100) on rebacked 2¢ green entire to San Francisco, Wells, Fargo & Co. printed black frank at top; couple small front repairs, Fine and scarce.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $450

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Lot 1058    

Cherokee Express, bold blue oval handstamp (CHE-100) on 3¢ pink entire to Oroville, fresh and Very Fine cover, strike illustrated in Thomas, ex-Kramer; with 2010 A.P.S. certificate.
Scott Nos. U59    Estimate $300 - 400.

This small express operated between Oroville and the diggings across the mountain range that has been referred to as the Cherokee Diggings. They connected with Wells Fargo at Oroville, California.

Realized: $500

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Lot 1059    

Kern County Express Cover Group, 6 entires; includes Pacific Union Express Co. frank entire with manuscript "P.U.E.Co., Kernville" endorsement, others Wells, Fargo & Co. usages including rare Sumner oval handstamp, others with Kernville oval date stamp with three different type printed franks; some flaws, a Fine group.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $230

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Lot 1060    

Pacific Union Ex. Co., San Francisco May 1, bold cds on ties 1867 3¢ rose, F. grill (defective) on 1864, 3¢ pink entire with red company frank at top, addressed to San Diego, Cal with matching blue "Collect" handstamp in oval, reduced at right, Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $130

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Lot 1061    

Pacific Union Express Company, Windsor, red on orange label affixed on reverse of 3¢ pink (U58) entire with red "Pacific Union Express Co., Paid" printed frank, canceled by blue "Pacific Union Express Co., Windsor" double-circle to San Francisco, endorsed "$74.00 - Check", Very Fine, the only recorded example of this label.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Pacific Union was formed in 1868 after signing an exclusive agreement to carry express on the soon to be completed transcontinental railroad. Wells Fargo, realizing the threat, was forced to merge with Pacific Union in the October 1869 "Treaty of Omaha" which resulted in Lloyd Tevis becoming president of the new company which retained the Wells Fargo name.

Realized: $500

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Lot 1062    

Pacific Union Express Co., Yuma, A.T., blue "Yuma, A.T." cds and matching with target cancel 3¢ pink (U58) entire with red "Pacific Union Express Co." printed frank to Auburn Cal.; reduced at left with small repair top left, otherwise Very Fine and rare use, ex-Birkinbine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED PACIFIC UNION EXPRESS FRANK USED FROM ARIZONA TERRITORY.

Pacific Union Express briefly expanded their service territory to Yuma. Their office was located in the Hooper & Whiting Mercantile Company Store.

Realized: $800

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