Sale 134: Boston 2026 World Expo Auction

Lot 2194    

City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ black on grayish, position 18, large margins, some faint gum tone, tied by red "Free" framed handstamp on locally addressed floral embossed border Valentine cover, with original pierced lace Valentine enclosure (Kershaw imprint) with rose and forget-me-not at center, still Extremely Fine, ex-Caspary, Middendorf & Geisler; with 2009 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 40L1    Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

A WONDERFUL TIED EXAMPLE OF THE 3¢ CITY DESPATCH POST ISSUE ON A VALENTINE COVER.

Realized: $1,050

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Lot 2195    

City Despatch Post, 1847-50, 2¢ black on grayish, "C" in manuscript between "Two" & "Cents", position 31, large to huge margins all around, canceled by black "Paid" handstamp on embossed floral bordered Valentine cover to Syosett, N.Y., red "New York, 5cts, Feb 13" integral rate cds and matching arched "Paid" handstamp, additional red crayon "5" rating at upper left; sizable cover tear at upper left, Extremely Fine, a remarkable gem stamp and the only example used on a Valentine cover, ex-Golden; signed G. Sloane, with 2000 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 40L5c    Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST OF ONLY NINE RECORDED ON COVER EXAMPLES OF THE COLES CITY DESPATCH POST 1847 2¢ "CC" ISSUE BEARING THE MANUSCRIPT "C" CONTROL.

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Lot 2196    

Cumming's Express, 2 Cts, well struck red locomotive oval handstamp with matching boxed "Paid, A.H.C." handstamp above on large locally addressed gold floral bordered Valentine cover, with pierced lace Valentine enclosure with floral and gold allegorical embellishments (which may not original to this cover), Very Fine and attractive, a choice strike of this difficult and scarce marking.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

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Lot 2197    

Cumming's City Post, 1844, 2¢ black on yellow, margins bit in all round, canceled by black dotted handstamp and affixed on reverse of gold and blue floral Valentine cover with female allegory on reverse, locally addressed with faint red Cumming's locomotive oval handstamp and "Paid, A.H.C." handstamp, Very Fine and choice, illustrated in Elliot Perry 100 Years Ago, ex-Ferrary & Stimmell; with 2000 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 55L3    Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

A STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL VALENTINE COVER WITH THE CUMMING'S CITY POST 2¢ BLACK ON YELLOW ISSUE.

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Lot 2198    

Eagle City Post & Mag. Telegraph Messengering Dept., 3, red large circular integral rate handstamp (Lyons type D) on locally addressed red brown printed floral border Valentine cover, with embossed bronze bordered Valentine enclosure with central enamel envelope, Very Fine, with only six examples of this Eagle City Post handstamp are recorded by Lyons.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $550

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Lot 2199    

Eagle City Post, 1848 (2¢) black, 39 points ray type, tied by pencil cancel on locally addressed gold ornate Valentine cover with similar design on reverse, red large "Eagle City Post & Mag. Telegraph Messengering Dept., Paid" circular handstamp (Lyons type C), Very Fine; with 1952 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 61L2    Estimate $500 - 750.

Realized: $1,000

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Lot 2200    

Earley's San Francisco Letter Express, black on rosy buff five line label with "630 Montgomery Street" office address, label with boxed "Paid" handstamp in bottom margin, affixed on reverse of locally addressed Valentine cover, additional pencil "Paid" notation on front; cover with tear from upper right corner and some tone spots, F.-V.F., ex-Lyons; with 2013 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF TWO KNOWN EARLEY'S SAN FRANCISCO LETTER EXPRESS USAGES WITH THE "630 MONTGOMERY" ADDRESS - ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF WESTERN USAGES.

This short-lived local letter express is believed to have been run in 1861 and sold out to John C. Robinson in 1862. Only two examples of the "630 Montgomery" address imprint are known; this example and another as a corner card on locally addressed cover with the same "Paid" handstamp applied (Wiltsee collection). The other "507 Montgomery" imprint is in label form on a cover and is believed to be unique.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 2201    

Frey's Valentine Express, red on orange printed corner card cover "With Compliments of St, Valentine" pre-address and "New England Valentine Company of Mass., Wm. A. Frey, Gen'l Agent, 404 Kearny St., S.F." circular corner card, addressed to local street address and with large blue "Paid" handstamp, some mounting adhesive on back, Extremely Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein & L. Lyons.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED FREY'S VALENTINE EXPRESS IMPRINT USES, WITH THIS RED ON ORANGE ENVELOPE BEING UNIQUE - A STUNNING COVER IN GEM CONDITION.

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Lot 2202    

Frey's Valentine Express, black on buff printed corner card cover "With Compliments of St, Valentine" pre-address and "New England Valentine Company of Mass, Wm, A, Frey, Gen'l Agent, 404 Kearny St, S,F," circular corner card, addressed to local street address and with large blue "Paid" handstamp; mounting residue on reverse indicating a possible paste-up usage of cover to an oversized Valentine, small scuff on front, Extremely Fine.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED FREY'S VALENTINE EXPRESS IMPRINT USES, WITH THIS BEING ONE OF TWO KNOWN.

Frey was apparently an agent for Esther Howland's New England Valentine Co. of Worcester, Massachusetts. In November of 1869, San Francisco would become the first western city to establish post office carriers.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 2203    

(Gahagan & Howe) City, G. & H. Express, 423 Washn. St. S.E. Cor., Sansome St., sharp bold blue oval handstamp on locally addressed cover to Miss A, Wells, North Side Francisco, San Francisco, Extremely Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THIS SHORT LIVED COMPANY WHICH DELIVERED MAIL LOCALLY IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Realized: $325

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