Lot
235 
The 1894 Pullman Strike. Lot of eleven covers relating to the Pullman strike including four covers with the "Wells, Fargo & Co. Butler, Agent" octagon handstamp & straight line "Frank" handstamp, three of the four with Los Angeles circular handstamp of Wells, Fargo & Co., last with Kansas City duplex postmark, plus one cover with Wells, Fargo & Co./Santa Barbara/Agent oval provisional handstamp, a few of the covers seem to be during the period but not strike carried items, Very Fine, a great lot requiring further research with lengthy analysis from Dr. Robert Chandler of the Wells Fargo Historical Department. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
George Pullman (1831-97) was the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car. When a Pullman car was attached to the funeral train carrying Abraham Lincoln's body, demand for Pullman's product surged, and the Pullman Sleeping Car Company grew quickly.
George Pullman and architect Solon Beman built the town of Pullman for his employees in Chicago, near 111th street. The town of Pullman was a planned community, with schools, theaters, library, hotel, all operated by the Pullman Sleeping Car Company.
When the fortunes of the company declined in 1894, Pullman slashed wages by 25 percent. However, he neglected to lower the rents or cost of groceries in the company town. A delegation of workers went to meet with Pullman and ask him to reduce these costs - the next day, these men were fired. His workers went on strike, aided by Eugene Debs' American Railway Union. Workers refused to handle any train with Pullman cars attached. In order to ensure that the mail on those trains would not be delayed, President Cleveland sent federal troops to break the strike.
During the turbulent times the mails were interrupted, which gave rise to these scarce strike covers. The strike finally was crushed and ended on August 2nd. All Pullman employees were then required to sign a statement that they would never attempt to join a union.
Realized: $2,700
Lot
236
Adams & Co., Per Express. Endorsement at bottom of collect express cover to Melbourne, Australia, with poste restante "He is now at or near Ballarat & information can be got to him there it may be three or four months before he will call for this" and reverse "Let this remain in the office Melbourne until sent or called for as it is of some importance to the person to whom addressed…" with "Advt'd" endorsement, cover reduced at right, F.-V.F., a rare Adam's transpacific express usage. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $425
Lot
237
Adams & Co. Bold oval in blue on 1852 folded letter to San Francisco, written on Dec. 4 with manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $250
Lot
238
Adams & Co./Paid/Over Our California and Coast Routes. Black woodblock company frank at left of 1854 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, manuscript "Don Pedros Bar, Cal/Aug 24" postmark, Extremely Fine and choice, an excellent example of this rare frank. Scott No. U6 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
Realized: $6,500
Lot
239
Adams & Co.s Express/Coloma. Blue double oval handstamp on 1852 folded cover to Mormon Islands with black double oval handstamp of "Adams & Co.s Express/Mormon Island", some water staining affecting Coloma marking. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $375
Lot
240
Adams & Co.s Express/Diamond Springs. Perfect strike of blue oval handstamp on 1853 folded letter (printed circular) with red "Adams & Co./Mormon Isl'd" oval handstamp to "President & Trustees of the Natoma Water & Mining Co./Willow Springs/Sacramento Co." with manuscript "50¢" express fee at center, circular printed in blue regarding the right of way through public lands for canals for the "purpose of conducting the water from the streams to the mines on the elevated grounds, for mining purposes", Extremely Fine and choice, a stunning item. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $6,000
Lot
241
Adams & Co./Georgetown. Red oval handstamp on buff cover to San Francisco with matching shaded "Paid" handstamp, part of flap torn away, F.-V.F., only 2 recorded, ex-Clifford. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $525
Lot
242
Adams & Co./Express/Mormon Island. Bold oval handstamp on buff cover from Fitchburg, Mass. with handstamped "10" rate to Sacramento, Cal., endorsed "Pilot Hill ($)1" (Express fee), unnoticable cover tear & tape stain at left, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $105
Lot
243
Adams & Co./Mud Springs. Bluish oval handstamp with matching "Paid" in oval on buff cover to San Francisco franked with uncancelled 1851 3¢ dull red, endorsed "Paid pr Adams & Co. Express", Very Fine and rare. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $500
Lot
244
Adams & Co. Express/San Francisco, California. Red embossed cameo corner card on buff cover to Massachusetts with blue "Marysville, Cal." cds & matching "10" rate handstamp, flap tear & minor corner wear, also included is correspondence of same of seven letters, 3 covers and four printed Exchange drafts from the Adams Agent at Marysville to East Granville, Mass., 1852-56, two of the drafts are faulty, Very Fine and scarce, a fascinating group. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $650