Lot
96 
Todd & Co. Express. Shield handstamp on cover from Boston with red cds & matching "40" rate handstamp, addressed to "Sutters Mines/Calaveras County" with manuscript endorsement "Todd & Co. Express from San Francisco" & light "2.00" pencil express rate, some minor wear & wrinkles, Very Fine, ex Pearce, Walske. Estimate $500 - 750.
Alex H. Todd operated an express service between San Francisco and Stockton and the Southern Mines from July 1850 until October 1851, with a brief extension of service to Oregon. After briefly being in other hands, the business was sold to C. A. Todd (Queen Victoria), who was not related.
Realized: $425
Lot
97
Todd & Co. Express. Shield handstamp with two strikes of "$1.50" express rate handstamp on cover to "Carsons Creek/Southern Mines" with orange San Francisco cds & manuscript "25" double rate, some cover wrinkles & small tear at bottom, Very Fine, a lovely cover. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
98
Todd's & Co.'s Express/San Francisco. Blue oval handstamp & matching double oval "Not Paid" on 1853 (August 8) folded cover to Tuttletown, the cover was handed over to Wells, Fargo & Co., who applied their blue San Francisco handstamp (Leutz. 1-12) & carried it to its destination, cover with some toning, fascinating original contents include," Nick & I passed one day at the New Almaden Mines. We rode our rail car 1000 feet right into the bowels of Mother Earth when we dismounted & went out through a perfect labyrinth carrying a torch.", Very Fine, a lovely conjunctive usage, ex Pearce, Walske. Estimate $400 - 600.
C. A. Todd (no relation to Alex H. Todd) operated the San Francisco-Stockton-Southern Mines route from April 1852 until September 1853, when he sold out to Wells Fargo. It was this sale that gave Wells Fargo its foothold in the region.
Realized: $375
Lot
99
Todd's Express. Shield handstamp with matching "$2." rate handstamp on incoming cover to Carsons Creek, red Boston, Mass. origin cds with "40" rate handstamp, manuscript express company routing endorsement at top; slight cover soiling and edge wear, Fine, a rare and early express usage. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $240
Lot
100
Todd's Express Office, Sonora. Elongated boxed handstamp in blue on cover to San Francisco, matching "Not Paid" in oval handstamp; cover with light edge wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $350
Lot
101
Todd's Express Stockton. Blue "Forwarded By" oval handstamp on the September 22, 1852 Wednesday morning edition of the San Joaquin Republican, Fine. Estimate $250 - 350.
Realized: $125
Lot
102
Truman & Co.'s Express. Black company frank on 1864-65 3¢ entire to San Francisco with "18/11/'67" manuscript & what appears to be "S Jo" of San Jose, entire with "A.J. Hinds,/Book, Periodical and Music Store,/Office at T.(ruman) & Co's, Pacific Avenue,/Santa Cruz", slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, ex Pearce, Walske. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $300
Lot
103
Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Calico, Cal. Red oval handstamp on cover to Watunes (?) Mill, Cal.; cover slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, rare and unlisted. Estimate $200 - 250.
Realized: $400
Lot
104
Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Colomo. Sharp full blue oval handstamp on uncancelled 1853-55, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Nevada City, Cal., black company frank at top, Extremely Fine, rare so choice. Scott No. U9 Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $230
Lot
105
Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Iowa Hill, Cal. Black on orange label affixed to manuscript canceled 1887-94, 2¢ green entire to San Leandro; cover soiling and wear, Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $160