Sale 51: United States Postal History

Lot 1231    

Alta Express Co., Forest Hill, full bold red oval handstamp on fresh 1853 3¢ red on buff entire to Todds Valley, Cal., black company frank with small "Paid"; trimmed at left, otherwise Very Fine, a choice example of the Forest Hill handstamp.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

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Lot 1232    

Alta Express Co., Paid, fancy company frank in black on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco with manuscript endorsement "With $140 Gold Dust", flap with colorless embossed corner card of Grocer in Georgia Slide, Cal. (a mining area near Georgetown); cover with light vertical fold & light soiling, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $260

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Lot 1233    

Alta Express Company, Sacramento, red oval handstamp on fresh 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Downieville, black printed company frank at top, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $110

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Lot 1234    

Alta Express Company, San Francisco, red oval handstamp on cover addressed to San Francisco, some contemporary notations, Very Fine, a scarce early usage, accompanied by contemporary newspaper clipping for the express.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 1235    

Alta Express Co./San Francisco, red oval handstamp 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Collinsville Illinois, company illustrated company frank, uprated with 1857, 3¢ dull red and entered the mails with "New York May 29 1858" cds's; some minor edge & back restoration, handsome Very Fine appearance.
Scott No. 26A    Estimate $200 - 300.

Realized: $115

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Lot 1236    

Arizona & New Mexico Express Co., circa 1875, black company frank on 3¢ green entire to San Francisco, frank with manuscript endorsement "W.F.& Co. Paid / No Franks / Blake" (station agent), faint blue double oval Wells, Fargo & Co. handstamp, missing backflap & back separated from front, still rare usage, Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

This express was launched by Henry Wells in 1874, providing stagecoach service to and from points in Arizona and the eastern terminus of the Southern Pacific Railroad, by 1876 the express folded, having lost its usefulness as the railroad pushed further east.

Realized: $1,250

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