Sale 108: The Westpex Sale

Lot 1105    

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    $200 - 300.

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: $375

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Lot 1106    

James M. Gordon, 1858 blue cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by "College Hill O., Oct 29" cds to Diarbekir, Syria care of James M. Gordon, Boston Mass., Gordon "Rev. A. Walker, Diarbekir" black on white label affixed, carried out of the mails with merchandise to Aleppo, blue Aleppo negative seal handstamp, received "Dec 26, 58" in manuscript on label; opening tear and small edge flaws, F.-V.F. and scarce.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

James M. Gordon, treasurer for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston, functioned as a forwarder for mail to missionaries all over the world. He prepared labels and sent mail as consignees letters with goods. Consignee's letters required no foreign postage. Rowe records Gordon as a forwarder, but only using a handstamp marking.

Realized: $525

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Lot 1107    

Hodgman & Co., Bangor Express., Rail Road Exchange, Court Square, Boston, gold on black die-cut label, affixed on blue Aug. 29th 1850 Messrs. Jones & Farley correspondence folded cover from Frankfort Me. to Boston, Mass., endorsed "Order" signifying package express, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $375

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Lot 1108    

Hodgman & Co., Bangor Express., Rail Road Exchange, Court Square, Boston, red on white die-cut label, affixed on blue Aug. 25th 1851 Messrs. Jones & Farley correspondence folded cover from Frankfort Me. to Boston, Mass., manuscript "25$" money letter endorsement, bold "25" cent express rating (2 bits), Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Red on white paper was the second of three different paper and ink combinations used in the printing of die-cut labels of this style.

Realized: $375

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Lot 1109    

Hope Express Co., Philadelphia, black on vermilion express label affixed to slightly oversized folded sheet to Stroudsburg, Pa., with additional express notation and "Enclosed, A Pass Book & $45 in Bills, $.75 in specie / $49.75" money package endorsement; some reinforcing in the central vertical file fold, still Very Fine, a very rare Hope Express Co. label usage from the Philadelphia office, believed to be one of two known usages., ex-Dr. Morris; with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Mosher, in a 2004 NJPH article, commented on this label…I've only seen 4 of these Philly versions (including this one) and only two of those were on cover.

Realized: $2,500

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Lot 1110    

Forwarded by Munro's Express., black on green express label with offices listed, used on blue folded letter datelined "New Bedford, Mar. 3, 1852" to local address, manuscript "Deliver Early, James" endorsement, Very Fine and scarce, ex-Hahn.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $140

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Lot 1111    

New Express Co. and Baltimore & Ohio Express, red on purple express label, used on reverse of 1¢ postal card (UX5) canceled by "Worcester Mass., Mar 27" duplex with leaf cancel to Hartford Conn.; label slightly affected by edge placement, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 1112    

Penobscot River Express, Boston, black on green express label, used partially over 3¢ rose (65) on yellow cover to Rockland Me., pencil "Collect 10cts" express rating; opened roughly at right and repaired, rare and Fine appearance.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $170

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Lot 1113    

Pullen & Co's Express, two different black on green express labels with steamboat vignette and offices listed, first on gray folded letter datelined "Troy May 13. 1845" by steamboat to New York City street address, second on gray folded letter datelined "Troy Dec 23d 1848" by steamboat to New York City, Very Fine and choice pair.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $550

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Lot 1114    

Forwarded By Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express, black on vermilion label, tied by light file fold crease on gray folded letter datelined "Montreal August 6th 1845" letter with illustrated beehive letterhead to New York City street address, endorsed "With a Box of Glass, care of Virgil & Co's Express", red "City Despatch Post, P.O., Aug 12" cds and additional "New-York '2 cts' Aug 12" integral-rate due carrier cds, Very Fine and choice, ex-Caspary, Robertson.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

A REMARKABLE CROSS-BORDER USE BY PULLEN, VIRGIN & CO'S EXPRESS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW YORK CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER FOR FINAL DELIVERY.

Letter was sent by Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express from their Montreal office via steamboat down the Hudson River to New York City where it was given to the City Despatch Post for delivery to a New York City street address.

Realized: $1,700

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