Lot
591 
Chinese Camp, Cal., Oct 8, 1860 (Tuolumne), blue cds on cover to Lunden, Holstein, with red manuscript "Paid 35" cent rating, black "New York Am. Pkt. Nov 3" exchange cds and large red manuscript "12" cent credit to Prussia, red Aachen (11/26) framed transit and red manuscript "2" sgr. credit to Denmark, Belgian (11.21) and Lunden (11.22) backstamps; some light soiling and edge wear, Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
592
Presidio at San Francisco, June 6th 1853, dateline on two page letter of commissioned soldier who was put on detail with Capt. McClellan's survey exploration of a route for the great Pacific Railroad, with letter in whole…"I write you in great haste to inform you that I have just been detailed by General Hitchcock by direction of the Secretary of War on duty with the Survey on the exploration of a route for the great Pacific Railroad. Arnold is also detailed. I am to command the Escort for Capt. McClellan's party. I sail for Oregon on Wednesday morning. There we organize the party and start for the Cascade Mountains where we are to find, if possible, a pass for the Railroad. We shall return to Columbia Barracks in November or December and report to Congress by February. Arnold is to command the Escort of Lieut. Saxton's party, and he will proceed to St. Mary's Village at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and wait there for Gov. Stevens' party which will cross the plains to meet him there. Of course it is a command of some responsibility for so young an officer, but I hope to acquit myself with credit. I will write you from Columbia Barracks if possible before we start. I have two horses to ride. My whole command will be mounted and I shall be in the Oregon jargon-hatiah (big Chief). As I want the Providence and R. I. people to keep us in some remembrance, you will confer a favor by getting the Journal to notice the fact that Lieut. Arnold is detailed by direction of the Secretary of War to command the Escort of one party of the Survey, and that Lieut. Sylvester Mowry 3d has been detailed to command the Escort which accompanies the expedition to explore a pass in the Cascade Mountains for the Great Pacific Rail Road. Get it done on your own responsibility, Ned. Give my regards to Mrs. B. and tell her I will try and get her some furs-such as are not often seen in R. I. I am going through Portland and hope to see Ned. Write as usual to San Francisco and believe me here or in the Rocky Mountains or anywhere else."; original cover addressed to Providence, R.I., with "San Francisco, Paid 6, Jun 24" cds and additional pencil "6" rating, Very Fine, a wonderful early letter at the outset of the Capt. McClellan's Survey Exploration through the Pacific Northwest.Estimate $500 - 750.
The 1853 McClellan expedition was a survey led by George B. McClellan to find a potential railroad route through the Pacific Northwest, as part of the U.S. government's Pacific Railroad surveys. The expedition's goal was to assess the region's suitability for both railroad construction and settlement. While the specific route McClellan surveyed was not ultimately used for a major Pacific railroad, his work and the survey's findings contributed to the understanding of the region's resources like timber and coal.
Current Opening Bid: $250
Lot
593
San Jose, Cal., 9 Aprl (Santa Clara), manuscript postmark and matching "40 Cts" rating on folded letter datelined San Jose, 5th April, 1850 written by Maj. William L. Smith to Colman Younger in Liberty Mo., endorsed "Steam Ship" at top, interesting lengthy three page letter written after his journey from New Mexico via Mexico to Mazatlan then by ship to San Francisco, mentions his waiting son leaving to Sacramento City for the mine before his arrival and other interesting content about business and future fortune, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (1.8MB).
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
594
By Mail Steamer, From Noisy Carrier's, ribbon hand stamp on front of 1838 "Ladder of Love" musical booklet with additional "J.H. McCabe, Theatrical Agent, San Francisco" oval handstamp, some flaws, no back cover, Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS NOISY CARRIER'S RIBBON MARKING.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
595
Gregory's Express Office, clear strike of 2-line handstamp with "San Francisco" apparently omitted, on incoming folded letter to San Francisco, Cal. datelined "Glasgow (Scotland), November 16, 1852" from Gibbs correspondence, docketed "Rec'd per Str. Independence, pr. Gregory's Express, 6th January 1853" inside below dateline, Very Fine and choice, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein.Estimate $300 - 400.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
596
Gregory's Atlantic and Pacific, Express, Forwarded By Thompson & Hitchcock, 149 Pearl Street., four-line handstamp on folded letter from Glasgow, Scotland to San Francisco, Cal. from the Gibbs correspondence, endorsed "pr. Gregory's Express", carried on Collins Line Arctic from Liverpool Apr. 7 to New York arriving Apr. 19, magenta "Rec'd 19 Apl pr 'Arctic'" receipt docketing on front, inside docketed "Rec'd Gregorys Express, pr 'Independence', May 27/52"; minor archival tape reinforcing, Very Fine, ex-Frajola, Forster & Bolton.Estimate $400 - 600.
The Vanderbilt Line Independence was later lost at sea on voyage from San Juan del Sud to San Francisco struck shore off Margarita Island and sank killing 309 passengers and crew.
Current Opening Bid: $200
Lot
597
Gregory's Express Pocket Letter book, mint book with gold lettering on black with original mailing envelope, book with Nesbitt printer's imprint, Extremely Fine in gem condition.Estimate $300 - 400.
Current Opening Bid: $240
Lot 598
The Kansas & Nebraska Stage Co., 1880 stage pass issued to the N.W. Pass Agent of the Ohio & Miss. R.R. Co., showing four horse stagecoach illustration; some mounting residue on reverse, otherwise Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
599
Wells Fargo & Co., Maxwell, Cal., blue oval "Express" handstamp (Leutzinger 10-16) on 1884, 2¢ brown entire to Sacramento, Chinese address and printed frank, F.-V.F. and rare.Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
600
Wells, Fargo & Co., Colomo, blue oval "Express" handstamp on 1855, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with early black "Wells Fargo & Co." woodblock frank to Sacramento, Cal., Very Fine, from the town where Marshall made the gold discovery that brought the world rushing in.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $100