Lot
869 
From Hunter & Co.'s El Dorado County Express, California., printed straight line of text (HUN-401) at upper right edge of cover that entered the mails with "Sacramento City, Cal 14 Aug" red-orange postmark with matching "10" handstamp buff cover to Athens, Green Co., N. York, cover with wrinkling at both the right and left edges & couple minor defects at right, still Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS HUNTER'S IMPRINTED COVER - AN OUTSTANDING COVER FOR THE SPECIALIST.
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
870
Hunter & Co.'s / Express, red company handstamp (HUN-100) on buff cover originating from Maine to Sacramento, Cal., postmarked "Waldoboro Me 9 Oct" cds with "10" manuscript rate marking; additional "Hunter & Co. Express" Running Pony oval (HUN-101) with routing to "Eldorado Slide" manuscript applied by Hunter's in Sacramento as well as "1.35" rate marking ($1.25 express fee plus 10¢ postage); cover silked with professional edge restoration, handsome Very Fine appearance.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF THIS HUNTER'S HANDSTAMP IN RED (OTHERS KNOWN IN BLACK AND BLUE) AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THIS COMBINATION OF EXPRESS HANDSTAMPS.
Alexander Hunter was the principal proprietor of the first of the two Hunter & Co.'s Expresses, announced as a new express on Feb 5, 1851, serving the mining camps on the South, Middle, and North Forks of the American River. Hunter's connected with at first with Gregory's Express and later with Adams & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter left the firm in the spring of 1852 and departed for the Eastern States. The Jul 30, 1852 Sacramento Union noted Hunter's return from the East, but also stated that eight individuals (none from the original company) were co-partners under the name of Hunter & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter became their agent at Placerville, and was the de-factor Wells, Fargo & Co. agent there as well. Hunter & Co.'s Express sold out to Wells, Fargo & Co., as announced in the Jul 15, 1854 Placerville Mountain Democrat, effective Jul 1, 1854.
Current Opening Bid: $500
Lot
871
Hunter & Co.'s Express, blue company handstamp (HUN-100) on buff cover originating with manuscript postmark "Spencerburg, Mo April 1" and "40" rate to Sacramento, with "via New York" at lower left, 40¢ postage due advertised at Sacramento City with their postmark and red "Adv'd" (advertised handstamp) where turned over to Hunter's with their "1.70" manuscript rate marking at left ($1.30 express fee and 40¢ postage due) for delivery to "Spanish Bar" manuscript at bottom; cover with wear & edge restoration, Fine, believed to be the earliest type of Hunter's handstamp, ex-Whitington.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
872
Hunter & Co.'s Express, black Running Pony company oval (HUN-101) on cover to Sacramento City, postmarked "San Francisco, Cal 28 Feb" cds with "5" rate handstamp, picked up by Hunter's Express and routed to "El Slide" (Eldorado Slide) with "1.25" manuscript express rate, ink smudge on San Francisco postmark, cover wrinkles & corner wear, otherwise Extremely Fine, a sharp strike of the Hunter's running pony oval.Estimate $400 - 600.
Current Opening Bid: $475
Lot
873
Jones & Russel's Pike's Peak Express Co., Leaven'th City, Jul 25, 1859, near perfect strike of black circular datestamp (Thomas RMW-100a); cover entered the mails with manuscript postmark "Manheim Center [New York] July 18" with 1857 3¢ dull red (26, defective) on cover addressed to "Hannibal Snell, Aurora, Kanzus Territory", original letter enclosed mostly of a personal nature and datelined "Sunday, July 17 1859"; cover cleaned and some professional edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, ex-Persson & Beall.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE LEAVENWORTH CITY HANDSTAMP FROM JONES AND RUSSELL'S EXPRESS.
It is interesting to note that the handstamp Express marking shows the outer rim of the device, which shows breaks in the rim and appears to just cancel the adhesive.
Current Opening Bid: $500
Lot
874
Jones & Russel's Pike's Peak Express Co. Denver City Mar 22 1860, black circular datestamp (Thomas RMW-100) entered the mails with partly clear "Leavenworth City, K.T. Mar 30 1860" black cds tying 1857 3¢ dull red (26) on orange cover to Illinois, with sender's directive at lower left "PP and Leavenworth Express"; light corner wear at right, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
While still operating the Leavenworth City & Pikes Peak Express, Jones and Russell purchased the John Hockaday line, which had the government mail contract to Salt Lake City via the Platte River. Eventually, this led to the termination of the Republican River-Fort Riley route used by the Leavenworth City & Pikes Peak Express. Jones & Russell's express operated from July 1859 to February 1860, charging 25¢ per letter.
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
875
Kennedy's Express PAID, blue and red printed frank (Thomas KNN-001) on cover franked with 3¢ 1869 issue (114) cancelled by blue cork killer with matching blue double circle "Blackfoot City Mont. Feb 19" postmark at left, a few very minor toned spots which do not detract from this rarity, Extremely Fine and choice; with 2011 P.F. Certificate.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXPRESS COMPANY AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MONTANA TERRITORIAL COVERS EXTANT.
Thomas' book notes that Kennedy's Express operated from 1868-1869 and that it "was a small express that operated between Blackfoot City and Lincoln Gulch, Montana Territory. It connected with the Merrimar & Chamberlain Stage Line at Blackfoot."
Current Opening Bid: $1,500